Cancer & Fertility

Your fertility options with cancer

A cancer diagnosis turns life upside down. Suddenly, you’re faced with decisions you never expected to make—including what it means for your future family. If you’re worried about how treatment might affect your ability to have children, know that you have options. Whether you’re thinking about preserving fertility before treatment or exploring paths to parenthood after a cancer diagnosis and treatment, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Cancer and its treatments can have short-term or permanent effects on fertility. The impact depends on factors such as the type of cancer, treatment plan, and age. Some cancers, particularly those in the reproductive organs (ovarian, testicular, uterine, or prostate cancer), can directly impact fertility. Understanding these effects can help in making informed decisions about fertility preservation and post-treatment options.

Hormones

Disrupting hormone production, affecting ovulation or sperm production.

Reproductive tissues

Damaging reproductive tissues, making conception more difficult.

Surgery

Requiring surgery that removes or alters reproductive organs.

Life-saving cancer treatments can sometimes come with consequences for fertility. How much impact they have depends on the treatment type, dosage, and your individual response.

Not everyone will experience the same effects, so discussing your options with a fertility specialist before treatment begins can help you plan ahead.

Chemotherapy

Some chemotherapy drugs can harm eggs and sperm, reducing fertility or triggering early menopause.

Radiation

Radiation targeted at the pelvis or reproductive organs can damage the ovaries, testes, and hormone-producing glands.

Surgery

If reproductive organs are removed or damaged, natural conception may no longer be possible.

Hormone therapy

Some cancers require hormone-blocking treatments, which can temporarily or permanently affect fertility.

Bone marrow transplants

These often require high-dose chemotherapy and radiation, which can have a severe impact on fertility.

Fertility preservation before treatment

If you’re preparing to start cancer treatment, there are ways to try to protect your fertility for the future. The sooner you explore these options, the more choices you’ll have.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer, talk to a fertility specialist as soon as possible to discuss your options. In many cases, fertility preservation can be arranged quickly before treatment begins.

For women

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation)

A process where eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use.

Learn more about embryo freezing

Embryo freezing A process where eggs are retrieved and fertilised with sperm but frozen as embryos for later implantation.

Learn more about embryo freezing

Ovarian tissue freezing

A section of ovarian tissue is removed and preserved, with the possibility of reimplantation after treatment.

Ovarian suppression

Medications that reduce blood flow to the ovaries to help protect the eggs within from chemotherapy damage.

Fertility after cancer

If cancer treatment has affected your fertility, that doesn’t mean the door to parenthood is closed. There are still many options available to you.

Natural conception

Some people find their fertility recovers over time. Menstrual cycles may return, and sperm production may improve. A fertility assessment after treatment can provide clarity on whether natural conception is a possibility.

Assisted reproductive treatments

For those who need extra support to conceive, fertility treatments can offer a solution:

IVF / ICSI – Eggs are fertilised with sperm to create embryos in a lab before being implanted into the uterus.

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) – Sperm is placed directly into the uterus to improve the likelihood of conception.

Donor treatments

If cancer treatment has affected your egg or sperm quality, or if you're unable to use your own reproductive cells, donor options may be considered:

Donor sperm – Often used with IUI or IVF when sperm quality or production is affected.

Donor eggs – An option when egg reserves are low or ovaries have been damaged.

Donor embryos – In some cases, using donated embryos may be recommended.

Surrogacy

For individuals who are unable to carry a pregnancy after cancer treatment, surrogacy may be an option. This involves transferring an embryo (created via IVF/ICSI) into a surrogate who carries the pregnancy to term. Surrogacy may be considered if:

Cancer treatment has affected the uterus or made pregnancy unsafe.

Hormone therapy prevents carrying a pregnancy.

A hysterectomy was necessary as part of treatment.

Taking the next steps

Whether you’re facing cancer treatment now or dealing with post-cancer fertility challenges, you don’t have to navigate this alone. A fertility specialist can help you understand your options, assess your fertility, and create a plan that fits your situation.

Cancer may change your fertility journey, but it doesn’t mean it has to end. With the right support and medical guidance, there are still ways to build the family you dream of. We’re here to help you find the best path forward—whatever that may look like for you.