When we talk about "preconceptional health", we tend to refer exclusively to that period of life that precedes conception by three months. A scientifically based and effective approach to preconception health requires - instead - to intervene as early as adolescence, when incorrect lifestyles (e.g., diet, exercise, exposure to smoke and alcohol) could affect long-term health. Promoting healthy lifestyles can - when looking for a pregnancy - increase the probability of conception, affect the outcome of the pregnancy, improve the recovery of the woman and the child born after childbirth.

"It is therefore critical to think about it before conception and to maintain optimal health during the entire reproductive life and well before the beginning of pregnancy" (Corchia C, Mastroiacovo P. Health promotion for children, mothers and families: here's why we should "think about it before conception". Ital J Pediatr. 2013 Oct 25; 39:68).

There are many pieces to be put together to maintain good preconception health, as shown in the following graph: 

Cerissap's research and training activity is dedicated - in this area - to the analysis of factors that can compromise preconception health. In particular, pathological factors (diseases of the male and female genital system; impact of pollutants on health), modifiable risk factors (lifestyles and risky behaviors) and social factors (postponement of openness to the parental project; absence of policies aimed at stemming the decline in the birth rate) are investigated.