Did you know? The likelihood of women experiencing side effects from cancer treatments is 34% higher than men. According to a study, 40–80% of females face possible infertility due to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. While some cancer treatments can improve the cancer survival rate, they can also cause immediate or premature infertility in women (when ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40).

So ladies, if you have been diagnosed with cancer and are planning for motherhood in the future, it is essential to understand the effects of cancer treatment on female fertility. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Side Effects Of Cancer Treatment On Female Fertility: What Do We Know?

Some gynecological cancers such as cancer of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina or cervix are often treated with treatments like chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. However, they may have a negative impact on a woman’s fertility potential. These effects can be permanent or temporary depending on the type and stage of cancer, age during treatment, and the specific treatment used. Let us now dive deeper into the effects of cancer treatment on female fertility.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapeutic drugs can have varying effects on the ovary, ranging from no effect to complete ovarian atrophy (ovarian aging). And, the degree of damage depends on the woman’s age, her initial ovarian reserve, the type of chemotherapeutic drug given, and its dosage.

In women, estrogen (a hormone associated with female reproductive organs) is required to release eggs and prepare the uterus for pregnancy. This hormone is produced in the cells of ovaries i.e. oocytes. Since oocytes divide quickly, they are also impacted by chemotherapeutic drugs, which may affect a woman’s fertility potential. The reason for this is that chemotherapy works by killing the cells that rapidly divide in the body.

However, it is important to note that at a younger age, ovaries are less vulnerable to damage caused by these drugs possibly due to the larger ovarian reserve present. But, older women with a lower ovarian reserve are more susceptible to Premature Ovarian Failure (POF). In some cases, a woman may also experience premature or early menopause due to chemotherapy.

Radiation Therapy

If the radiation is aimed at or around the ovaries, it can cause enough damage to affect ovarian function. And, even if the radiation is not targeted directly towards them, the rays still get absorbed which can damage the ovaries. Therefore, for a woman getting radiation therapy in her abdomen or pelvic region, the amount of radiation absorbed by her ovaries plays a crucial role in determining the risk of infertility. Furthermore, pelvic radiation can also increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm birth.

Surgery

Surgery may be necessary if a tumor is located in or near a woman’s reproductive organs such as the ovary, uterus, cervix, or fallopian tube. In such cases, women might have to undergo the removal of one or both ovaries, and partial or complete removal of their fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, or vagina. Such surgical procedures advised for cancer treatment may thus also affect the fertility potential in females.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy blocks the body’s ability to produce hormones or alters how hormones function, which may result in unwanted side effects. These side effects will depend on the type of hormone therapy you receive and your body’s reaction to it. Hormone therapy can be administered in various ways including oral medications, injections or surgical procedures.

The therapies that involve surgery, often require removal of organs such as ovaries from women. This can disrupt the hormone production in women leading to infertility and triggering early menopause. This effect may be temporary or permanent depending on the treatment type and duration.

Now that you’ve learnt the effects of cancer treatment on female fertility, here’s what can help you pave the way towards a successful journey towards parenthood…

A Way Forward…

Dealing with cancer and its effects on fertility could be challenging for female cancer patients. The stress experienced during a cancer diagnosis and treatment may disrupt hormonal balance, thereby affecting a woman’s fertility. However, egg freezing is now a viable option for women diagnosed with cancer and who are about to undergo cancer treatments.

We hope this article has helped you uncover the side effects of cancer treatment on female fertility. So, if you wish to preserve your fertility for an extended period, LifeCell’s OvaVault can be a suitable option for you (launching soon). Based on your preferred timeline for starting a family, you and your partner may choose to store your eggs for 1, 5, or 10 years. OvaVault is a convenient way to lock your fertility at its peak!

Article Source :
This article was originally published on

https://www.lifecell.in/blog/health-bank/effects-of-cancer-treatment-on-female-fertility