Cancer Can Affect Your Fertility — But There Are Options
Today, more young people are surviving cancer than ever before. That’s a wonderful thing. But cancer treatment can sometimes affect your ability to have children in the future — for both women and men.
That’s why it's important to learn about fertility preservation before starting treatment. With the right approach, there’s almost always something we can do.
Fertility Preservation for Men
Cancer treatment may impact male fertility in several ways:
- It may damage sperm cells
- Lower sperm count
- Increase DNA fragmentation in sperm
- Decrease testosterone levels
What Can Be Done?
The most common and effective option is sperm freezing (cryopreservation). It’s quick, safe, and doesn’t require any medication. The sperm is frozen in small vials and can be stored for years.
Even if sperm isn’t found in a semen sample, it may be possible to retrieve it directly from the testicle using simple surgical procedures like TESE, TESA, or PESA.
Fertility Preservation for Women
Cancer treatments can affect your eggs, hormones, or reproductive organs. Some treatments may:
- Disrupt your menstrual cycle
- Lower your egg count or quality
- Damage your ovaries or uterus
But there are several ways to protect your ability to have children in the future:
1. Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)
Your ovaries are gently stimulated to produce eggs, which are then collected and frozen using a fast method called vitrification. This method is safe, effective, and eggs can be stored for many years.
Best for: Women under 35 or those who want to delay pregnancy and don’t currently have a partner.
2. Embryo Freezing
If you have a partner, you can freeze embryos instead of eggs. This is also done using vitrification and has a very high success rate (about 98% survival after thawing).
Best for: Women with a partner or those ready to plan for pregnancy in the near future.
3. In Vitro Maturation (IVM)
In this method, immature eggs are collected and matured in the lab. This means no or minimal hormone stimulation, which is helpful if cancer treatment must start immediately or if hormone levels need to stay low (for example, in breast cancer).
Best for: Women who need to start treatment quickly or cannot undergo hormone stimulation.
4. Ovarian Tissue Freezing
This experimental but promising method involves freezing small pieces of your ovary — which can later be transplanted back to restore fertility. It’s especially helpful for young girls or when other options aren't possible.
More than 100 babies have already been born worldwide using this method.
Which Method Is Right for You?
Choosing the best option depends on:
- Your age
- Type of cancer
- Timing and urgency of treatment
- Whether you have a partner
- Your future plans for family
Our team will work closely with your oncologist and guide you through every step.
You’re Not Alone
Every person and every case is different. But what stays the same is this: you have options, and there is hope. Let us help you protect your future family today.