Cancer is a life-changing diagnosis. Even after overcoming it, it can impact how you move forward; for instance, your ability to have children. Fortunately, you have options to preserve your fertility beforehand, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), so you can concentrate on beating cancer.

Cancer’s Effect on Male Fertility

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy targets cancer by killing cells in the body that divide quickly. Unfortunately, it can’t differentiate cancerous cells from others with similar division rates, like sperm cells. Many chemotherapy drugs can damage the immature cells to the point where they can no longer reproduce. 

Radiation Therapy

Radiation kills cancer, but can also damage or even destroy sperm-producing cells at the same time if treatment is aimed at the testicles. Even if your sperm is still viable, your doctor may recommend waiting six months to two years after treatment to try for children to avoid complications from damaged sperm. Another possibility for infertility may arise from radiation targeting the brain, which could limit the production of LH and FSH hormones that initiate testosterone and sperm creation. 

Cancer’s Effect on Female Fertility

Chemotherapy

Though alkylating agents in chemotherapy limit cancer cell growth, they can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs or estrogen as well, leading to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). This condition mimics menopause and is sometimes temporary, but the closer a woman is to menopause, around age 50, the greater the chance of permanent infertility.

Surgery

If a tumor is located on or near the ovaries, the risk of infertility is increased. Even if the surgical procedure goes well, scarring can interfere with the ovaries’ ability to release eggs.

Fertility Preservation Methods

Knowing that cancer and its remedies can result in infertility, men and women can take steps to preserve their fertility before undergoing treatment. Egg or sperm freezing saves the cells for later use with in vitro fertilization. The IVF process involves fertilizing an egg and sperm in a lab, then implanting it into the woman’s uterus. If the woman is unable to bear a child after cancer, IVF allows for surrogacy as well.

If you’re looking for fertility preservation before undergoing cancer treatment, the Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute in Honolulu is here to help. Since opening in 1985 as Hawaii’s first IVF clinic, they have helped more than 6,500 babies enter the world. Their infertility treatment options include intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI), donor egg IVF, egg freezing, and preimplantation genetic screening and testing (PGS/PGT). Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (808) 946-2226 to set up a consultation to discuss eligibility for fertility preservation financial help programs.