Fertility After Cancer: Exploring Your Options for Parenthood

Cancer treatments can be life-saving, but they sometimes affect fertility, leaving many wondering about their options for having children after recovery. Fortunately, advancements in reproductive medicine offer several fertility options for individuals who have undergone cancer treatment. This article explores the available fertility preservation and treatment options for those seeking to achieve parenthood post-cancer therapy.

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. Several common effects on fertility include:

1. Chemotherapy

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

2. Radiation therapy

   • Radiation, particularly to the pelvic area, can impair reproductive organs and reduce fertility.

3. Surgery

   • Surgery to remove reproductive organs, such as ovaries in women or testicles in men, can directly result in infertility.

4. Hormonal therapy

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

Fertility preservation options before cancer treatment

For individuals who are diagnosed with cancer but have yet to start treatment, fertility preservation techniques can be considered. 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.

   • Before starting cancer treatment, hormonal stimulation is used to produce multiple eggs that are retrieved and frozen for future use. Later, the eggs can be thawed, fertilised with sperm (via IVF), and implanted in the uterus.

   • Egg freezing is ideal for women who are not ready to conceive but want the option in the future.

   • Ideal Candidates: Women who 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 retrieved eggs are fertilised with sperm to create embryos, which are then frozen for future use. This method is particularly suitable for women who have a partner or those using donor sperm.

3. Ovarian tissue freezing

   • This option is suitable for women who may not have time for hormonal stimulation and egg retrieval before treatment begins. In this procedure, part of the ovarian tissue is surgically removed and frozen. After treatment, the tissue can be re-implanted into the body, potentially restoring fertility.

4. Gonadal shielding

   • This technique is specifically used to protect reproductive organs from radiation during cancer treatment. Shields are placed over the ovaries or testicles during radiation to minimise 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.

Fertility options after cancer treatment

Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, can have varying effects on reproductive health, depending on the treatment type and individual circumstances. Even if fertility preservation was not considered or pursued before treatment, there are still viable paths to parenthood available after recovery.

1. In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

   • Women who have undergone treatment but still have viable eggs can use IVF to conceive. IVF involves retrieving eggs, fertilising them in a lab, and implanting the embryo into the uterus. This is also an option for women who preserved eggs or embryos before treatment.

2. Donor eggs 

   • If cancer treatment has led to infertility, individuals or couples may opt to use donor eggs or sperm. 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 the effects of cancer treatment, surrogacy may be an 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’s important to consult a fertility specialist after completing cancer treatment to assess hormonal and reproductive health. For women, this may include tests to evaluate egg reserves or hormone replacement therapy if reproductive hormones are affected. Men may require sperm analysis to determine sperm count and quality.

A fertility evaluation helps in determining which options are most suitable, whether it's natural conception, IVF, or other assisted reproductive techniques. 

When to seek professional advice?

If you’re planning to have children after cancer treatment, it’s essential to seek professional advice from a fertility specialist at the earliest opportunity. Consulting a specialist before or immediately after your treatment allows for a thorough assessment of your reproductive health. This early evaluation will help determine your current fertility status, highlight any potential issues, and outline available options based on your unique circumstances.

At Thomson Medical, we understand that fertility after cancer can be a deeply emotional and complex journey, which is why we are committed to providing compassionate care and expert advice. If you’re ready to explore your fertility options after cancer, you can request an appointment with one of our fertility specialists today. We are here to support you through this fertility journey.

FAQs

Can cancer treatment cause permanent infertility?

Some cancer treatments may cause temporary or permanent infertility. It depends on the treatment type and individual factors. Consulting a specialist is essential.

What are my chances of conceiving after cancer treatment?

Many cancer patients can conceive naturally or with the help of fertility treatments. The success rate depends on factors like the treatment received, age, and overall 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.