why cant you have kids after ancer treatment?

Can I have children after cancer treatments?

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery that harms the reproductive organs can affect fertility. Infertility is the inability to have a child. Infertility is the inability to have a child. It may be caused by: Low levels of sperm or eggs. Low levels of hormones that control reproduction. Scarring or removal of the reproductive organs, which prevents conception or normal …

Can cancer make it hard to have children?

Sperm may be damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Those sperm should be replaced in 2 years. Even if a child is conceived soon after treatment ends, there is no research showing that he or she will have a greater risk of developing serious health problems.

Can cancer treatments be harmful to your loved ones?

The radiation travels a very short distance, so the effects are mostly to the tumor. However, you may have to limit contact with other people for up to one week after treatment. It is especially important to avoid close contact with children and women who are pregnant. Be sure to ask your treatment team what precautions you need to take.

Can cancer be passed from parents to children?

Because men with testicular cancer are often young and have not finished having children, surgeons use nerve-sparing methods that often allow normal ejaculation after RPLND. In experienced hands, these techniques have a very high rate of …

Why can't you have a baby after finishing chemo?

You may need to wait at least 6 months after your last chemo treatment to try for a pregnancy. This is because eggs maturing in the ovaries can be damaged by chemo. And getting pregnant too soon after chemo might cause birth defects or miscarriage.

Why do cancer patients become infertile?

Since sperm cells divide quickly, they are an easy target for damage by chemo. Permanent infertility can result if all the immature cells in the testicles that divide to make new sperm (spermatogonial stem cells) are damaged to the point that they can no longer produce maturing sperm cells.Feb 6, 2020

Does cancer treatment make you infertile?

Chemotherapy can stop your ovaries from working. This causes infertility, which can be temporary or permanent. It can also bring on the menopause.

Does Chemo make you permanently infertile?

The infertility may be temporary or permanent. This depends on the drugs you have, the doses and your age. Permanent infertility is more likely if you have higher doses. Some chemotherapy drugs can affect the nerves in the genital area.

Can you have a kid after chemo?

Some health care providers recommend that women not get pregnant in the first 6 months after finishing chemotherapy. They say that any damaged eggs will leave the body within those first 6 months. Other health care providers suggest waiting 2 to 5 years before trying to have a baby.

Can a man with cancer get a woman pregnant?

Some men recover sperm production after cancer treatment but have a low sperm count and may not be able to conceive naturally. However, you may still be able to have a biologic child through in vitro fertilization (IVF).May 29, 2018

How soon after chemo can you get pregnant?

It's important to wait at least 6 months (or longer) to get pregnant after chemotherapy ends. You don't want to get pregnant with an egg that was damaged by chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, fertility may be short-lived.Feb 2, 2022

What are the chances of getting pregnant after chemo?

Only approximately 10% maintained the desire to become pregnant after chemotherapy. Of six patients who still wanted to have children, four became pregnant, though two of these ended in a miscarriage.Oct 21, 2018

Which chemotherapy causes infertility?

Drugs which may cause infertility in men and women include: Alkylating agents- such as busulfan, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and melphalan. Other categories of chemotherapy drugs, include Cytarabine, 5-flurouracil, methotrexate, vincristine, vinblastine, bleomycin, doxorubicin, and daunorubicin.

Can chemo cause birth defects?

Studies show there is a risk of birth defects when a woman becomes pregnant while getting or after receiving some types of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. In some cases, the risk can last for a long time, making getting pregnant a concern even years after treatment ends.Feb 5, 2020

Does chemo and radiation cause infertility?

Chemotherapy (especially alkylating agents) can affect the ovaries, causing them to stop releasing eggs and estrogen. This is called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Sometimes POI is temporary and your menstrual periods and fertility return after treatment.Feb 24, 2020

Does radiation cause infertility?

Radiation therapy to the reproductive organs as well as radiation near the abdomen, pelvis, or spine may lower sperm counts and testosterone levels, causing infertility. Radiation may also destroy sperm cells and the stem cells that make sperm.Feb 24, 2020

Pregnancy After Cancer Treatment

Often, pregnancy after cancer treatment is safe for both the mother and baby. Pregnancy does not seem to raise the risk of cancer coming back. Stil...

How Cancer Treatments May Affect Pregnancy

Treatments can affect a future pregnancy in many ways: 1. Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may affect the support cells and blood supply of the...

Fathering A Child After Cancer Treatment

Men can try to have a child after cancer treatment ends. There are no firm rules for how long men should wait after treatment, but health care prov...

Other Concerns About Having A Child After Cancer Treatment

Risk of children getting cancer. Many people who have had cancer worry that their children may get cancer, too. Research shows that children of pat...

Talking With Your Health Care Provider

Having a baby is a big decision. No matter what treatment you have had, you should talk with your health care provider about the potential risks of...

Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider

1. Will my cancer treatment plan affect my ability to have children? 2. Are there ways to preserve my fertility before I start treatment? 3. Will m...

How does radiation affect pregnancy?

Treatments can affect a future pregnancy in many ways: 1 Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may affect the support cells and blood supply of the uterus. It also may increase the chances of miscarriage, early birth, low birth weight, and other problems. 2 Surgery to the cervix. Removing all or part of the cervix may make miscarriage or early birth more likely. This is because the cervix may not be able to support a developing pregnancy. 3 Chemotherapy. Anthracycline chemotherapy includes treatment with doxorubicin (available as a generic drug), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), epirubicin (Ellence), and idarubicin (Idamycin). These treatments may damage heart cells and weaken the heart.#N#As a result, the heart needs to work harder during pregnancy and labor. Sometimes, anthracycline chemotherapy is used with radiation therapy to the upper abdomen or chest. This combination increases the risk of heart problems.

How long does it take for a woman to get pregnant after chemo?

How long depends on several factors: The type of cancer and stage. Type of treatment. A woman’s age. Some health care providers recommend that women not get pregnant in the first 6 months after finishing chemotherapy. They say that any damaged eggs will leave the body within those first 6 months.

What to talk about when having a baby?

Talking with your health care team. Having a baby is a big decision. No matter what treatment you have had, you should talk with your health care team about the potential risks of pregnancy and birth. Your doctor may need to check certain organs to make sure your pregnancy is safe.

How long does it take for sperm to be replaced after radiation?

Sperm may be damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Those sperm should be replaced in 2 years. Even if a child is conceived soon after treatment ends, there is no research showing that he or she will have a greater risk of developing serious health problems.

Does cervix help with pregnancy?

This is because the cervix may not be able to support a developing pregnancy. Chemotherapy. Anthracycline chemotherapy includes treatment with doxorubicin (available as a generic drug), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), epirubicin (Ellence), and idarubicin (Idamycin). These treatments may damage heart cells and weaken the heart.

Is it safe to have a baby after cancer treatment?

Pregnancy after cancer treatment. Often, pregnancy after cancer treatment is safe for both the mother and baby. Pregnancy does not seem to raise the risk of cancer coming back. Still, some women may be told to wait a number of years before trying to have a baby. How long depends on several factors:

Does anthracycline cause heart problems?

These treatments may damage heart cells and weaken the heart. As a result, the heart needs to work harder during pregnancy and labor. Sometimes, anthracycline chemotherapy is used with radiation therapy to the upper abdomen or chest. This combination increases the risk of heart problems.

How to cope with cancer side effects?

Build a positive self-image. Coping with the side effects of cancer treatment at a time when you're developing your own identity can make everything seem even more complicated. Sexuality is an important part of a person's identity (even if you're not yet ready to have sex). But sexuality has little to do with fertility.

What makes cancer survivors attractive?

In fact, some cancer survivors develop qualities that may make them more attractive to others, like a greater passion for life and the desire to make the most of their experiences. Find support. You're not alone. Other teens have gone through what you're feeling now.

Does radiation affect sperm?

Radiation treatments also can damage sperm and eggs, whether the treatment is focused on these areas or scattered elsewhere. Radiation that's focused on or near the pelvic area can damage a girl's ovaries or reduce sperm count in guys. These changes may go away after treatment ends, but can be permanent.

Does radiation kill cancer cells?

Some cancer treatments involve radiation to the head as a way to kill cancer cells that may be in the central nervous system. Sometimes this can injure the parts of the brain (and the pituitary gland) that make hormones that control puberty and the menstrual cycle.

Is radiation therapy good for cancer?

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatments can be very effective at doing their job. But what makes them good at fighting cancer or other illnesses also can cause side effects : As these treatments attack harmful cells, they may affect some healthy cells too.

Can a male do sperm banking?

For males, sperm banking has been around for a long time and is a common procedure, although not all hospitals offer it. You may have to go to a clinic that specializes in sperm banking. For younger teens and boys, a more experimental procedure called sperm aspiration may be possible.

Can cancer affect your reproductive organs?

Your doctor can tell you if there's a chance that cancer treatment might affect your reproductive organs. It helps to be aware of what might happen so you can manage the possibilities, both physically and emotionally. Here's how some cancer treatments can affect fertility:

Cancer Treatments and Fertility

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatments can be very effective at doing their job. But what makes them good at fighting cancer or other illnesses also can cause side effects: As these treatments attack harmful cells, they may affect some healthy cells too.

Which Treatments Can Affect Fertility?

Your doctor can tell you if there's a chance that cancer treatment might affect your reproductive organs. It helps to be aware of what might happen so you can manage the possibilities, both physically and emotionally.

What Are My Options?

Don't hesitate to ask questions and raise any concerns. And, don't worry that fertility isn't a topic for your doctor. It may seem like your doctor is focused only on getting rid of the cancer. But getting better is also about your future quality of life.

Looking Ahead

It's normal to worry about the side effects that go with cancer treatment. These tips can help:

Why is it important to keep radiation exposure to the people around you?

If you're getting systemic radiation treatment , sometimes safety measures are needed to protect the people around you. This is because the radioactive materials can leave your body through saliva, sweat, blood, and urine and that makes these fluids radioactive. It's very important to keep radiation exposure to the people around you as limited as possible.

How does radiation therapy work?

Internal radiation therapy uses a sealed source of radiation that is implanted (put inside your body) where the cancer is located. Depending on the type of implant used, your body may give off a small amount of radiation for a short time.

How to avoid radiation therapy?

Avoid contact with pets for a specific amount of time. Avoid public transportation for a specific amount of time. Plan to stay home from work, school, and other activities for a specific amount of time. Again, the information here describes some safety concerns of different types of radiation therapy.

What to do if you are getting radiation treatment?

Here are examples of things you might be told to do if you're getting systemic radiation treatment: Wash your laundry separately from the rest of the household, including towels and sheets. Sit down when using the toilet (both men and women) to avoid splashing of body waste.

How long does radiation stay in your system?

Because of this, some radiation will be in your body for a few days until your body has had a chance to get rid of it.

What is external beam radiation?

External radiation therapy is given from an outside source, involves a beam of radiation aimed at a part of the body, and affects cells in your body only for a moment. Because there’s no radiation source inside your body, you are not radioactive at any time during or after treatment.

How to get rid of radiation?

Here are examples of things you might be told to do if you're getting systemic radiation treatment: 1 Wash your laundry separately from the rest of the household, including towels and sheets. 2 Sit down when using the toilet (both men and women) to avoid splashing of body waste. 3 Flush the toilet twice after each use, and wash your hands well after using the toilet. 4 Use separate utensils and towels. 5 Drink extra fluids to flush the radioactive material out of your body. 6 No kissing or sexual contact (often for at least a week). 7 Keep a distance away from others in your household. For example, you might be told to keep one arm’s length, or maybe six feet, between yourself and others for a specific length of time. You might also be told to sleep in a separate bed in a separate room for a specific number of nights. This depends on the type of treatment you receive. 8 Avoid contact with infants, children, and women who are pregnant for a specific amount of time. 9 Avoid contact with pets for a specific amount of time. 10 Avoid public transportation for a specific amount of time. 11 Plan to stay home from work, school, and other activities for a specific amount of time.

What is the term for the leakage of urine during ejaculation?

Urine leakage during ejaculation. Climacturia is the term used to describe the leakage of urine during orgasm. This is fairly common after prostate surgery, but it might not even be noticed. The amount of urine varies widely – anywhere from a few drops to more than an ounce.

What is the procedure to remove the rectum?

Total mesorectal excision (TME), which removes the rectum as well as the mesorectum for treatment for rectal cancer. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), which removes lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen (belly), usually in men who have testicular cancer.

Why do men not produce semen after cystectomy?

After radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) or cystectomy (removal of the bladder), a man will no longer produce any semen because the prostate and seminal vesicles have been removed. The testicles still make sperm cells, but then the body simply reabsorbs them. This is not harmful.

How does surgery affect ejaculation?

Surgery effect on ejaculation. Surgery can affect ejaculation in different ways. For example, if surgery removes the prostate and seminal vesicles, a man can no longer make semen. Surgery might also damage the nerves that come from the spine and control emission (when sperm and fluid mix to make semen). Note that these are not the same nerve ...

What is a TURP?

A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is an example of an operation that usually causes retrograde ejaculation because it damages the bladder valve. This surgery cores out the prostate by passing a special scope into it through the urethra.

Why does semen shoot backwards?

This is because the valve between the bladder and urethra stays open after some surgical procedures. This valve normally shuts tightly during ejaculation.

Is urine dangerous during sex?

Urine is not dangerous to the sexual partner , though it may be a bother during sex. The leakage tends to get better over time, and condoms and constriction bands can help. (Constriction bands are tightened at the base of the erect penis and squeeze the urethra to keep urine from leaking out.)

What are some examples of menstrual irregularities?

Examples of possible underlying medical problems that can cause menstrual irregularities and impaired fertility include: Abnormal sex hormone levels, such as with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or a luteal phase defect. Other hormonal problems, such as abnormal thyroid function or adrenal insufficiency. Endometriosis.

How long can you go without conceiving?

Although 12 months without conceiving is typically used as the cutoff to define a possible fertility problem, ACOG recommends an infertility evaluation after six months of trying without getting pregnant for women older than 35.

What age does fertility decrease?

Other Factors Influencing Fertility. Several factors can influence your fertility — some modifiable and others not. Fertility decreases in both men and women with age. Among women, fertility begins to significantly decrease at about age 32 with a more rapid decline starting around age 37, according to ACOG.

What is a sign in a medical term?

In medical terminology, a sign is an externally observable or measurable indicator of an underlying disease or abnormality. Unlike women, men with impaired fertility typically don't experience outward signs of their condition unless there are telltale indicators of a prior testicular injury or surgery or abnormal reproductive anatomy, such as small testicles ( testicular atrophy ).

How long does it take to get pregnant without birth control?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), infertility is defined as not conceiving a child after 12 months of trying — meaning regularly having sexual intercourse without use of any form of birth control.

How to determine your period length?

You can easily determine your menstrual cycle length and regularity by charting your periods with an app or paper or online calendar. The first day of your period marks day one of your cycle. The number of days until the first day of your next period indicates your menstrual cycle length.

Why is my cycle longer than 20 days?

Variability in your cycle length of more than 20 days from one period to the next could also indicate an underlying medical problem. Variable cycle length can also delay getting pregnant due to difficulty predicting what days you're most likely to conceive.

Radiation and possible risk to young children

Can someone who has had radiation comment on the risk to young children? I will be having radiation sometime in the next few weeks and I know there are concerns for people receiving radiation treatments being around young children.

Radiation and possible risk to young children

Thought I would pop a note on your thread although the info is 'second-hand'. When my friend had to have radiation treatment for her breast cancer she also had a young grandchild and at the time was told by her medical team to avoid close contact with baby and toddlers during treatment and for six weeks afterwards.

Radiation and possible risk to young children

Hi there Jules, thanks for that info. I thought I recalled reading something to that effect on here at some point, but of course didn't remember exactly what was said about it.

Radiation and possible risk to young children

It's great that you have been accepted as a candidate for the trials and it could well be that the radiation you are to recieve will not require you to keep your distance. I think I have read somewhere that it depends on the type of radiation (complicated subject!).

Radiation and possible risk to young children

Sorry I havent replied before but I wanted to check up on things. When I had my 37 radiotherapy treatments I was told it posed no danger to children. I did have a CT scan and for this they injected some radio active fluid and I was told not to let children close to me for 24 to 48 hours.

Radiation and possible risk to young children

Hi Jules, thanks so much for your imput on radiation. I guess it depends on how radiation is given and for what purpose, but its' good to at least have some idea as to what kind of questions to ask when I do meet with the team.

What is internal radiation?

Internal radiation means that the radiation source is put into the body, Snyder says. Some examples of internal radiation are brachytherapy, in which doctors implant a seed, ribbon or wire that contains radiation in or around a tumor, the implant emits a dose of radiation to the surrounding area that kills cancer cells.

How long after chemo should you use a condom?

Kissing and more intimate physical contact is perfectly fine. Male chemo patients, however, should use a condom for the first 48 hours after a chemo treatment, she notes. Advertising Policy.

How long does radiation last?

“Small doses of radiation may be administered daily over a period ranging from several days to several weeks.

How long does chemo stay in your system?

For the most part, after a patient receives chemotherapy, the medications stay in the patient’s body for about 24 hours to 48 hours. The body clears itself of the medications through body fluids such as urine or stool, so this means avoiding contact with these body fluids.

Why do some treatments need a little extra caution?

Why some treatments need a little extra caution. If you’re undergoing treatment for cancer, you know that the medicines and procedures have side effects. You may worry that these lifesaving treatments could somehow be harmful to your loved ones. It’s a concern that many cancer patients and their family members often have, ...

Can radiation therapy cause cancer?

Some cancer patients who receive radiation therapy worry that their bodies will become “radioactive” after they receive radiation treatment. Their concern is that close physical contact with others could expose them to radiation. “The general answer to this concern is that physical contact is fine,” Snyder says. However, there are some exceptions.

Does radiation continue after therapy?

The treated tissue does not continue to hold the radiation after the therapy session ends. So patients receiving external beam radiation need not worry about transmitting radiation to their loved ones.”. Internal radiation means that the radiation source is put into the body, Snyder says.

How to avoid radiation?

Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: 1 Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, your workplace. 2 Sleep apart from adults by at least six feet (a separate bedroom is recommended) and avoid sexual activity. 3 Avoid sleeping in the same bed with a pregnant woman, infant, or child for a period of six to 23 days. According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, infants and children should ideally stay outside the home for the recommended period. 1  4 To protect family pets, do not sleep with them for up to 21 days.

How to minimize radiation risks?

Keep Your Distance. Here are some ways to minimize radiation risks to other people (and pets) after you have had RAI treatment: Stay at least six feet away from other people, including members of the public, family members, and co-workers, for three to 11 days. This means avoiding public transportation, hotels, carpools, and in some cases, ...

Can you hospitalize after a RAI?

It is not common in the United States to hospitalize patients after RAI, but if you are receiving a particularly high dosage of iodine 131 and have no way to protect children or babies, it may be an option. A Low-Iodine Diet Can Make Radioactive Iodine Treatment More Effective.

Does iodine affect thyroid?

Because the radioactive iodine used (known as iodine 131) may expose those around you to the effects of radiation (and theoretically negatively affect their thyroid glands), you will be given guidelines on how to prevent such exposure. Laura Porter / Verywell.

Cancer Treatments and Fertility

• Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatments can be very effective at doing their job. But what makes them good at fighting cancer or other illnesses also can cause side effects: As these treatments attack harmful cells, they may affect some healthy cells too. Your doctor has probably talked about whether you'll have any side effects from your cancer treatment. Side effe…

See more on kidshealth.org

Which Treatments Can Affect Fertility?

What Are My Options?

Looking Ahead

Cancer Treatments and Fertility

• Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatments can be very effective at doing their job. But what makes them good at fighting canceror other illnesses also can cause side effects: As these treatments attack harmful cells, they may affect some healthy cells too. Your doctor has probably talked about whether you'll have any side effects from your cancer treatment. Side effe…

See more on childrensmn.org

Which Treatments Can Affect Fertility?

What Are My Options?

Looking Ahead