His Fertility Checklist

Written by Cynthia Obinatu, community and editorial lead. Checked against published guidance from the National Health Service, the World Health Organization and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Not yet reviewed by a clinician. Educational, not medical advice.

How this low sperm count checklist works

The list covers the man's side, from smoking and alcohol to sleep and a semen analysis. He ticks each step himself and the bar fills as he goes. His ticks save on this device, and nothing is sent to us. Reset clears the list so he can start again. Send him the link so he can tick the steps himself.

What your ticks mean

The checklist gives no score and it cannot tell you whether his sperm are healthy. A full bar means he has looked at the habits that the National Health Service (NHS) links to sperm quality. An empty bar does not mean something is wrong. The only way to know his count, how well the sperm move and what shape they are is a semen analysis, and that is why the last step on the list asks him to request one. The NHS says the test checks "for problems with sperm, such as a low sperm count or sperm that are not moving properly". If the first result shows a problem, the NHS low sperm count page says a second test is usually done about 3 months later.

What causes low sperm count?

Often nobody finds a cause. The NHS says that for 1 in 4 couples with fertility problems, no cause can be identified. When a cause is found in men, the NHS names an infection of the testicles, a very low level of the hormone testosterone, testicular cancer, surgery or injury to the testicles, testicles that never came down, some medicines and chemotherapy. It says chemotherapy can sometimes severely reduce sperm production. It also links heat on the scrotum to poorer semen quality, though it says it is uncertain whether loose underwear helps, and it says illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine can affect semen quality. The World Health Organization (WHO) adds a blocked reproductive tract and testicles that fail to make sperm, and says smoking, heavy drinking and obesity can affect fertility.

Most of these need a doctor to find. A low sperm count often has no symptoms you can see. Usually the first sign is a year of trying without a pregnancy, and a semen analysis is how it is checked.

Why this checklist is written for him

The WHO says infertility affects about one in every six people of reproductive age, and that it "may occur due to male, female or unexplained factors". It also says women in particular frequently face violence, divorce and social stigma when a couple cannot conceive. Where the woman carries that blame, a list he owns and ticks is a quiet way to put his side on the table without a fight.

Step four asks him to check any medicines, supplements or herbal mixtures (agbo) with a doctor. The NHS lists some herbal remedies among the things that can affect sperm production, and it does not say which. In June 2026 the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recalled a sexual enhancement product sold as a dietary supplement after testing found medicines in it that were not on the label. For what the trials show on supplements, read our male fertility supplements guide.

How can I increase my sperm count?

The NHS gives a short list. Stop smoking if you smoke. Drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread over 3 days or more. Lose weight if you are overweight. Wear loose underwear, because tight underwear can raise the temperature of the testicles. Limit contact at work with pesticides, solvents and some heavy metals. Avoid anabolic steroids and cocaine. Have sex every 2 to 3 days. Steps one to three on the list are these same habits. None of them guarantees a result, and the NHS does not promise a number.

Can I still get pregnant with a low sperm count?

Yes, it can still happen. The NHS says that with a low sperm count natural conception may still be possible, and it advises sex every 2 to 3 days without contraception. If you have not conceived after a year, or after 6 months when the woman is 36 or older, it advises seeing a doctor, who can arrange tests for both of you. In Nigeria that means a doctor at a hospital or clinic you trust. Our fertility appointment questions help you plan what to ask.

How can I check my sperm count at home?

We do not recommend a home kit, because we have not found a published authority we can cite on them. The test the NHS describes is a semen analysis that a doctor arranges. Ask the clinic or a registered laboratory how the sample is collected and how long the result takes, then take the result to the doctor.

Common questions

Where this comes from

• Low sperm count. National Health Service.
• Infertility: causes. National Health Service.
• Infertility: tests to find the cause. National Health Service.
• Infertility fact sheet. World Health Organization.
• Public Alert No. 31/2026: recall of sexual enhancement product due to undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, 2026.

This page has not yet been reviewed by a clinician. It stands on the published guidance above, and we say so plainly rather than implying a review that has not happened. Read it alongside our medical policy.