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Fertility and Pregnancy
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If I am planning to receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy, is there anything that I can do to increase my chances of being able to get pregnant in the future?
Yes. The goal of treatment is to keep your ovaries safe from the possible side effects of chemotherapy and/or radiation. Although there are limited scientific studies, early findings suggest that either a surgical procedure to move the ovaries out of the field of radiation or medicine that temporarily turns your ovaries off and keeps your eggs safe are very effective in increasing your chances of becoming pregnant later. Everybody is different and factors such as your age at treatment, kind of cancer you had, and type of treatment you received will determine what treatment option your gynecologist or reproductive endocrinologist recommends for you.
Oophoropexy - This is a surgical procedure that is done to move one or both of the ovaries away from where the radiation is pointed. This procedure used to be done by making an incision or cut across the lower part of a your abdomen or belly. Recently, however a new procedure called a laparoscopic oophoropexy has become more popular because the incision is much smaller and the recovery time is much quicker.
GnRH agonists - This is a man-made hormone and medical treatment that works by temporarily shutting off your ovaries which causes symptoms similar to menopause. This medicine is available in a nasal spray or injection. GnRH agonists work by lowering the estrogen level and stopping the ovaries from making eggs. Most women will not have periods while taking this therapy, however, some side effects of treatment may include irregular vaginal bleeding, depression, headaches and/or insomnia. Usually a woman will start to ovulate again and get her period about 6 weeks after you stop taking this medicine. Some studies have shown that women who receive GnRH agonists while on chemotherapy have a better chance of preserving their ovarian function.
Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) - Some gynecologists feel that OCP's may have a protective effect on fertility. This is based on a small research study that compared the amount of "follicles" or young "eggs" a woman has before and after chemotherapy. Early findings suggest those women, who were taking OCP's during chemotherapy, had the same amount of follicles (young eggs) before and after treatment.
Talk with your doctor about what option to preserve your fertility is best for you, before you plan to receive cancer treatment. |
If I had chemotherapy or radiation, will I be able to get pregnant?
If chemotherapy or radiation has not affected your ovaries or uterus, then you should be able to get pregnant. If chemotherapy or radiation has affected your reproductive organs then you will need the help of special fertility treatments to become pregnant.
If you are planning to become pregnant, then like all women, you should start taking a daily multivitamin that contains folate. |
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Updated 3/12/06
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