Various cancer treatments

Various cancer treatments

Various cancer treatments, though necessary, can have adverse effects on male and female fertility. These are mostly temporary changes to the reproductive organs. But sometimes they can be permanent.

Chemo has alkylating drugs that may be detrimental to sperm production or sperm forming cells. We also have hormone therapy (endocrine therapy) that may cause a decrease in sperm count.

Another treatment is radiation therapy, which may be harmful when done in your abdomen area, spine, reproductive organs, or pelvis. When done to the brain, it may affect testosterone production by damaging the pituitary glands. For some procedures, testicular shielding may be needed to protect your testicles.

Stem cell transplants also carry a risk. The procedure for bone marrow transplants or blood stem cell transplants may also reduce your sperm count or sperm-producing cells. We also have surgery that may cause damage to organs, lymph nodes, or nerves in your pelvis, prostate, rectum, etc. leading to infertility.

Women are also affected in almost a similar manner. Chemo may have effects on their ovaries stopping or altering estrogen and egg production. Symptoms include vaginal dryness, night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, and the menstrual cycle may change or stop altogether.

Radiation therapy can also harm the ovaries. If done on your brain, your pituitary gland may become damaged. It is the responsible organ for estrogen stimulation, which in turn influences your ovulation.

It is crucial to know that your ovaries can be protected by ovarian shielding. Oophoropexy is another protection procedure where, through surgery, your ovaries are moved out of harm’s way.

Other procedures, such as immunotherapy, hormonal, or endocrine therapy, transplants can also be harmful to your egg production, egg fertility, or damage to the ovaries.

Remember, there may be predetermining factors in both males and females. These factors include your prior fertility, age, cancer type, the treatment prescribed, the length (dose) required, time between medications, or other illnesses.

Your doctor should always advise you on the effects of any treatment they offer. And if a better treatment exists, it may serve as an alternative.