Having chemotherapy may affect your ability to have children in the future. Therefore, if you have been given a diagnosis of cancer and are awaiting chemotherapy, it is wise to speak to your GP and a fertility specialist, in order to explore your options to preserve your fertility before treatment.

Chemotherapy can affect the fertility of both men and women and by talking to your oncologist and fertility experts, you can potentially reduce your risk of not being able to have children.

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As a woman, how could chemotherapy affect my fertility?

Having chemotherapy can affect your fertility temporarily or permanently, depending on your age and the type and strength of drugs used. It can also harm an unborn baby, so if you are not already pregnant at diagnosis, it is wise to use contraception throughout your treatment and until your cycle returns to normal after treatment.

As women are born with all of the eggs that they will ever have, there is a risk that chemotherapy may damage or destroy them, leaving you infertile and with symptoms of the menopause. You are at a greater risk of permanent infertility if you are an older woman or naturally close to your menopause age already, or if you have high doses of the drugs.

Some women, who receive a diagnosis of cancer, choose to freeze their eggs prior to chemotherapy treatment, if they have not yet started or completed their family.

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As a man, how could chemotherapy affect my fertility?

As is the case with women, chemotherapy can have a negative impact on male fertility. It can also harm an unborn baby, so it is wise to use contraception throughout treatment.

Depending on the age of the man and the strength and type of the drugs, chemotherapy drugs may cause temporary or permanent infertility and can affect the quantity and motility of the sperm and testosterone production.

Some men, who receive a diagnosis of cancer, choose to freeze their sperm prior to chemotherapy treatment, if they have not yet started or completed their family.

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Are all cancer drugs harmful to fertility?

Cancer that affects the reproductive organs is just one source of cancer-related infertility and chemotherapy drugs are another contributory factor.  As cancer treatment depends on a variety of considerations and new studies are continually taking place, your consultant will talk to you about your options. When talking to your oncologist about the benefits and risks of different cancer treatments, they will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your type and stage of cancer, your age and your plans for a family in the future.

 

What if I am already pregnant when I’m diagnosed with cancer?

Your doctor and consultants will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment to look after you and your unborn child. Getting information and support will help you to cope better with your diagnosis and treatment. Try to get plenty of rest and focus on looking after yourself, as that will help both you and your baby.

Healthcare professionals can support and reassure you. Counsellors and psychologists can help you to deal with the range of emotions that you may be feeling.

 

Where canI get support for cancer, fertility and pregnancy?

There are various charities that can offer support to you and your family if you are going through cancer, for example MacMillan, Breast Cancer Care and Marie Curie Cancer Care. The charity Mummy’s Star specialises in helping women going through cancer and pregnancy.

Here at The IVF Network, we provide a wide range of information about fertility and conception. Through our dedicated channel of experts, our website and our blog, our aim is to help you to be able to make informed choices on your personal fertility journey.

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