What happens if a man takes prenatal vitamins?

What happens if a man takes prenatal vitamins?

The short answer: nothing dramatic, at least not in the short term. A man taking a prenatal vitamin designed for women will absorb the same vitamins and minerals anyone else would. The supplement won't cause immediate harm, but it's also not the right tool for the job and will often include nutrients at levels designed to support female fertility and pregnancy (i.e. iron)

RELATED: Can men take prenatal vitamins? What to know about male prenatal nutrition

What a man would actually experience

In the short term, a man taking a women’s prenatal would probably notice very little. He might experience the same GI side effects common to anyone taking a high-iron supplement: constipation, nausea, or dark stools. Otherwise, the vitamins and minerals would be absorbed normally.

Why prenatals aren't right for men

There are a few real downsides for men taking women's prenatal vitamins:

Excessive iron. Men's iron requirements are 8 mg per day, significantly lower than the 18-27 mg in most prenatals. Men lose very little iron compared to menstruating women. Over weeks or months, excess iron can accumulate and be harmful. Iron can be a pro-oxidant, meaning it can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to oxidative stress when taken at high and unnecessary levels, which is the opposite of what you want if you're trying to protect sperm health.

Unnecessary nutrients at wrong ratios. Women's prenatals are formulated with pregnancy in mind. Higher levels of folate and iodine may not align with men's specific health needs. Nutrients are dosed with female physiology in mind rather than male.

Missed opportunities. By taking a women's prenatal, men miss out on nutrients tailored to their needs, like higher levels of zinc, selenium, CoQ10, and vitamin E, which are critical for testosterone production, sperm quality, and overall male reproductive health.

What about male fertility?

This is where things get interesting. Certain nutrients found in prenatal vitamins (folate, zinc, vitamin D, and antioxidants like vitamins C and E) are associated with improved sperm health. But a comprehensive men's fertility supplement provides these nutrients in ratios that actually match the male body's needs. Sperm take approximately 70-90 days to fully develop, so the quality of sperm today is reflective of nutrition from about three months ago.

RELATED: Prenatal vitamins for men: A guide to supporting sperm health

A note from WeNatal on supporting male fertility

Fertility is a two-person effort, and WeNatal for Him was designed with that in mind. It delivers the specific nutrients men need to support sperm quality, including CoQ10, zinc, selenium, L-carnitine, and methylfolate, all in forms the body can actually use. If you and your partner are on the conception journey together, his-and-hers supplementation gives both of you the best possible starting point.

RELATED: The ultimate preconception guide: What to do when you're ready to get pregnant

References

Adams JB, et al. (2022). Evidence based recommendations for an optimal prenatal supplement. Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology, 8:4. DOI: 10.1186/s40748-022-00139-9