Fertility After Cancer: Exploring Your Options for Parenthood

Cancer treatments can be life-saving, but they may also affect fertility, leaving many concerned about their ability to have children after recovery. Fortunately, advancements in reproductive medicine now offer a range of options for to preserve and restore fertility. This article explores the fertility preservation and treatment options available for those who wish to achieve parenthood post-cancer.

How cancer treatments affect fertility

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can impact fertility depending on several factors, including the type of treatment, the patient’s age, and the specific cancer involved. Some common effects on fertility include:

1. Chemotherapy

   • Certain chemotherapy drugs may damage eggs in women or reduce sperm production in men.

2. Radiation therapy

   • Radiation, when targeted near the pelvic area, can harm reproductive organs and impair fertility.

3. Surgery

   • Surgical removal of reproductive organs - such as ovaries in women or testicles in men - can result in infertility.

4. Hormonal therapy

   • Treatments that alter hormone levels may disrupt reproductive function, affecting the overall ability to conceive.

How to preserve fertility before cancer treatment

For individuals diagnosed with cancer who have yet to start treatment, fertility preservation can be an important consideration. These methods aim to safeguard fertility before exposure to potentially harmful therapies.

1. Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation)

   • One of the most common fertility preservation techniques for women.

   • Hormonal stimulation is used to produce multiple eggs, which are retrieved and frozen for future use. These eggs can later be thawed, fertilised through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), and implanted in the uterus.

   • Egg freezing is ideal for women who are not ready to conceive but want to preserve their fertility for the future, and are about to undergo treatments that may impair fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiation.

   • Procedure: It takes about 10-14 days of hormonal stimulation followed by a minor surgical procedure to retrieve the eggs.

2. Embryo freezing

   • Similar to egg freezing, embryo freezing involves stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs. However, in this process, the eggs are fertilised with sperm to create embryos, which are then frozen for future use.

   • This is suitable for women who have a partner or are planning to use donor sperm.

3. Ovarian tissue freezing

   • Part of the ovarian tissue is surgically removed and frozen in this process. After cancer treatment, the tissue can be re-implanted into the body, potentially restoring fertility.

   • This is suitable for women who may not have time for hormonal stimulation and egg retrieval before cancer treatment begins.

4. Gonadal shielding

   • This technique is used to protect reproductive organs from radiation during cancer treatment. Shields are placed over the ovaries or testicles during radiation to reduce exposure and prevent damage.

At Thomson Medical, we offer a variety of fertility preservation options to help you plan for your future family. You can learn more about the available methods here.

What are the fertility options after cancer treatment

Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, can significantly affect fertility. However, even if fertility preservation was not pursued before treatment, there are still viable options to achieive parenthood available after recovery.

1. In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

   • For women who have undergone cancer treatment but still have viable eggs, IVF can be an effective path to conception. In IVF, eggs are retrieved, fertilised in the lab, and the resulting embryos are implanted into the uterus. This option is also available to women who may have frozen eggs or embryos before their cancer treatment.

2. Donor eggs 

   • Individuals or couples may opt to use donor eggs or sperm, if cancer treatment has led to infertility. Donor eggs can be fertilised using the partner’s or donor’s sperm through IVF.

3. Surrogacy

   • If a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to term due to cancer treatment, surrogacy may be a viable option. This involves having another woman carry the pregnancy using the individual’s own embryos or donor embryos.

Understanding hormonal health and fertility post-treatment

It is important to consult a fertility specialist after completing cancer treatment to assess your hormonal and reproductive health. For women, this may include tests to evaluate egg reserves, or hormone replacement therapy if reproductive hormones are affected. For men, sperm analysis can help determine sperm count and quality.

A comprehensive fertility evaluation helps determine suitable options, whether that involves natural conception, IVF, or other assisted reproductive techniques. 

When to seek professional advice?

If you are planning to have children after cancer treatment, it is important to consult with a fertility specialist as soon as possible. Early consultation allows for a thorough assessment of your reproductive health, which can help identify any potential challenges and help you explore the best fertility options based on your situation.

At Thomson Medical, we understand that fertility after cancer can an emotional and complex journey. We are committed to providing compassionate care and expert guidance. If you are ready to explore your fertility options post-cancer, you can request an appointment with one of our fertility specialists today. We are here to support you every step of the way.

FAQs

Can cancer treatment cause permanent infertility?

Some cancer treatments can lead to temporary or permanent infertility. The risk depends on several factors, including the type of treatment, dosage, age, and individual health. It is essential to consult a fertility specialist to understand your specific risk and explore available options.

What are my chances of conceiving after cancer treatment?

Many cancer survivors are able to conceive—either naturally or with the help of fertility treatments. The success rate depends on several factors, including the type and extent of treatment you received, your age at the time of treatment, and your current reproductive health.

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Book an appointment with Thomson Medical today.