Preservation of fertility

Not all cancer treatments result in infertility, however, it is important to be aware of such risks. Radiation or chemotherapy treatments can lead to premature expiration of the ovarian function or sperm production and to infertility.

When the client discovers that he or she has cancer, they have one thing on their mind: to cure the disease. This is quite natural. Nevertheless, if they wish to preserve their capacity of having children following cancer treatment, they should act immediately, before their therapy starts. Most cancer treatments can decrease fertility or even result in its complete extinction.

Cancer treatment in women may not be the only cause of infertility (by cessation of ovulation in the ovaries, the inability of the oocyte to nest in the uterine mucosa or the inability to support pregnancy), but can result in premature menopause, because cancer treatment destroys the reserves of ova in the ovaries. If, on the other hand, a woman remains fertile following treatment, a part of her remaining ova can still be irreversibly damaged.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgical procedures can inhibit spermatogenesis, produce deformed male sex cells or result in problems with obtaining an erection.