Although some treatments have little to no effect on the reproductive health of a patient, in certain other cases, cancer treatments are likely to impair the ovaries or testes, causing temporary or permanent infertility.

Hence it is essential for patients to consult their oncologists or other treating doctors on the long-term impact such treatments can have on their reproductive function and their chances of having children.

Dr. Monikaa Chawla, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Consultant at Fakih IVF said, “As cancer treatments can impact a patient’s fertility, they need to discuss the various fertility preservation options with their doctor beforehand, understand the risks involved with such treatments and the costs associated with them. Besides chemotherapy, doctors must brief patients regarding the various surgical or radiation therapies, and the impact each of these could have on the reproductive health.”

Dr. Hussein Kandil, Specialist Urology at Fakih IVF said, “By the time cancer treatment ends, the recovery of the reproductive function is unpredictable, as it depends on the type and duration of therapy given. Additionally, in male patients even if the sperm numbers have not dramatically declined, other parameters may get undoubtedly altered e.g. DNA-integrity which determines the potency of sperm function, hence it is advised to postpone pregnancy for some time until full recovery of the testis.”

As fertility preservation is increasingly becoming common among individuals battling life-threatening diseases, it is imperative to consult your healthcare practitioner seeking the ideal treatment option before proceeding with the surgery.