Male fertility | Sandton and video consultations
Trying for a baby? Sperm health is half of the picture.
Male factors play a part in around half of couples who struggle to conceive, yet men are often tested last. A private consultation with George Mulaudzi, Naturopath looks at the lifestyle, nutrition and health factors that affect sperm, alongside the tests your doctor or fertility clinic runs.
Hearing that your sperm count is low, or that the problem may be on your side, is hard. It is also more common than most men realise, and in many cases the factors behind it can be looked at and worked on. Sperm are made continuously, so what you do over the next three months can affect the sperm you produce.
This page explains when to get checked, what a semen analysis tells you, what affects sperm health, and how a natural, structured plan can support you and your partner. If you live outside Gauteng, the same consultation is available by video.
When should a man get his fertility checked?
Guidelines from fertility specialists generally suggest that a couple should seek help if they have not conceived after:
- 12 months of regular unprotected sex, or
- 6 months if the woman is 35 or older, or
- sooner if you already know of a possible problem, such as undescended testes as a child, previous testicular surgery or injury, chemotherapy, or erection or ejaculation difficulties.
Both partners should be assessed at the same time. Checking the man early is simple and can save months of uncertainty.
The semen analysis comes first
A semen analysis is the starting point for every man. It is done by a pathology laboratory or fertility clinic, usually on referral from your doctor. You are normally asked to avoid ejaculation for two to seven days before the sample. Because results vary naturally, an abnormal result is usually repeated. See which doctor to see for male infertility.
| What it measures | What it tells you | WHO lower reference limit (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | How much semen is produced | 1.4 mL |
| Concentration | Sperm per millilitre | 16 million per mL |
| Total motility | How many sperm are moving | 42% |
| Progressive motility | How many sperm swim forward | 30% |
| Morphology | How many sperm have a typical shape | 4% |
Results below these limits do not mean you cannot father a child, and results above them do not guarantee it. They are a guide that helps you and your doctor decide what to do next.
What affects sperm health
Heat
Hot baths, saunas, laptops on the lap, tight underwear and long hours sitting can raise testicular temperature, which sperm production is sensitive to.
Smoking, alcohol and cannabis
All three are linked to poorer semen quality. Heavy drinking also affects hormones. How alcohol affects men.
Weight and metabolic health
Excess body fat changes the balance of testosterone and oestrogen and is linked to lower sperm counts. Weight and sexual health.
Testosterone and steroids
Testosterone therapy, anabolic steroids and some “boosters” can switch off your own sperm production. Natural support vs TRT.
Stress and sleep
Long-term stress and poor sleep affect hormones and libido, and make regular timed intercourse harder for couples.
Nutrition
Diets low in fruit, vegetables, zinc, folate and healthy fats are linked to poorer sperm quality. Food is the foundation of any plan.
See a doctor or urologist promptly if you have:
- A lump, swelling, heaviness or pain in a testicle
- A semen analysis showing no sperm at all
- Very low sperm counts on repeat testing
- Low sex drive with breast changes, headaches or vision changes
- A history of undescended testes, testicular surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy
These need a medical assessment. Some causes of male infertility, such as a varicocele, blockages or hormone disorders, need medical or surgical treatment.
How we help men and couples trying to conceive
1
Your consultation
30 to 60 minutes with George, in person or by video. We go through your semen results if you have them, your health history, medication, work, heat exposure, diet, sleep, stress and timing.
2
Your 90-day plan
A personalised natural plan built around one full sperm cycle: nutrition, targeted remedies, lifestyle changes and practical steps for you as a couple.
3
Remedies wherever you are
Remedies are collected at the clinic or sent with PostNet to the PostNet store nearest you, anywhere in South Africa, discreetly packed and usually within 1 to 2 business days.
4
Follow-up and retest
Follow-ups track your progress. A repeat semen analysis through your doctor after about three months shows how things have changed.
Our scope, stated plainly
Sandton Men’s Clinic is a naturopathic practice. We do not run semen or blood tests, prescribe medication, or offer fertility procedures such as IUI or IVF.
We focus on the lifestyle, nutrition and natural factors that support sperm health, and we work alongside your doctor or fertility specialist. If your results suggest a medical cause, we refer you. Which tests matter.
Is it time to check your fertility?
Five quick questions. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
1. Have you been trying to conceive for 12 months or more (or 6 months or more if your partner is 35 or older)?
2. Do you smoke, drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week, or use cannabis?
3. Are you regularly exposed to heat, such as long hours sitting, saunas, hot baths or a laptop on your lap?
4. Do you use, or have you used, testosterone, steroids or testosterone boosters?
5. Do you have a testicular lump, swelling or pain?
Further reading on sperm health
Practical, evidence-based steps Thicker, stronger sperm ›
What semen consistency means How sperm production works ›
Why changes take three months Semen volume ›
What affects how much you produce Low testosterone ›
Hormones, energy and fertility Online consultation ›
Video consult, remedies via PostNet
Male fertility questions
How long does it take to improve sperm health?
Sperm take roughly two and a half to three months to develop, so changes to lifestyle, nutrition and supplements usually need about three months before they can show up in a repeat semen analysis. That is why a fertility plan is built around a 90-day cycle with follow-ups.
Do you do semen analysis at the clinic?
No. Sandton Men’s Clinic is a naturopathic practice and does not run laboratory tests. A semen analysis is done through your doctor, a pathology laboratory or a fertility clinic. George explains which tests to ask for and helps you understand your results in context.
Can I use testosterone or testosterone boosters while trying to conceive?
Testosterone therapy and anabolic steroids can switch off the body’s own sperm production, so they are generally not suitable for men trying to conceive. If you use or are considering either, discuss it with your doctor before you start trying. Many over-the-counter boosters also contain unlisted ingredients.
Can my partner come to the consultation?
Yes. Fertility affects you both, and many couples find it helpful to attend together, in person in Sandton or on a video call. It is entirely your choice.
Can you help if we are already seeing a fertility specialist?
Yes. A naturopathic plan focused on sperm health, nutrition and lifestyle can run alongside fertility treatment such as IUI or IVF. We do not replace your fertility specialist, and we recommend you tell them about any supplements you take.
Start your 90-day plan
Private, one-on-one, in Sandton or by video. Booking does not commit you to any treatment.
Sources
- World Health Organization. WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th edition, 2021.
- Schlegel PN et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men: AUA/ASRM Guideline, 2020 (amended 2024).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (CG156).
Written and reviewed by George Mulaudzi, Naturopath, Sandton Men’s Clinic, 199 Vanessa Street, Buccleuch, Sandton, Gauteng 2090 | +27 10 205 9208. This page is general information and does not replace a consultation or medical care. Individual results vary, and no outcome can be guaranteed.