Table of contents:
- Effects of chemotherapy on female and male fertility
- What are the effects of chemotherapy on female fertility?
- What are the effects of chemotherapy on male fertility?
- Could it be that it is difficult for me to have children due to the effects of chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is one of the most reliable treatments for treating cancer cells. although until now chemotherapy has been proven effective in increasing the cure rate of cancer patients, the drawback of this treatment is its side effects. One of the effects of chemotherapy that sufferers or former sufferers fear and worry about is its impact on their fertility.
So what are the effects of chemotherapy on fertility? Can I not have children while undergoing chemotherapy?
Effects of chemotherapy on female and male fertility
Chemotherapy works by killing cells that are detected growing and developing. Cancer cells that are experiencing rapid growth and development will of course try to be stopped by chemotherapy drugs.
However, unfortunately this treatment also causes the body's other normal cells that are also in development to die and stop growing. This then causes side effects on the body. Therefore, the effects of chemotherapy can also occur on your reproductive system and affect fertility.
What are the effects of chemotherapy on female fertility?
Chemotherapy can interfere with the reproductive system and reduce female fertility by:
- Stops the production of hormones related to fertility, such as progesterone and estrogen.
- Stopping the ovaries which then cause you to experience premature menopause.
- Damages the lining of the uterus
A woman who underwent cancer treatment before she reached the age of 35, still has a considerable chance of getting pregnant after finishing treatment. Although indeed, when chemotherapy is in progress, you will stop menstruating, there is still a chance to return to menstruation after you finish cancer treatment.
However, menstruation or menstruation does not indicate that you can definitely get pregnant, because the quality of eggs can also decrease as a result of the treatment you are taking. This will affect your chances of getting pregnant.
What are the effects of chemotherapy on male fertility?
A man will start producing sperm from the age of 13-14 years. After that, the man is able to produce sperm for the rest of his life. Sperm cells are fast growing and growing cells, therefore these cells can be an easy target for chemotherapy.
The side effects of chemotherapy on male fertility are as follows:
- Interfere with or even stop sperm production.
- Affects the production of testosterone and other hormones related to sexual function.
- Damages the nerves and blood vessels in the pelvic area, making it difficult for men to have an erection.
How severe the effect of chemotherapy on male fertility depends on the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs that each individual gets.
Could it be that it is difficult for me to have children due to the effects of chemotherapy?
After you finish chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, you may wonder if you are still able to have children. You begin to feel afraid and anxious about this.
Naturally, if you feel this, but after finishing treatment, you should immediately consult a doctor to test your fertility. You can also discuss supportive care to increase fertility and implement some programs to get you back to having children.
