Cancer is a disease that impacts many women around the world. It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer alone during their lifetime.

Moreover, with modern technology advancements, more women are surviving cancer than ever before. However, the treatments that save their lives can cause severe side effects on their reproductive health. Women of child-bearing age, in particular, may face infertility as a result of cancer treatments.

In this article, we will explore in detail how cancer can impact female fertility.

What is female fertility?

Female fertility refers to a woman’s ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Factors that can impair female fertility include age, ovulatory disorders, endometriosis, fallopian tube damage, and hormonal imbalances.

Cancer treatments can also harm reproductive health, particularly the ovaries.

How cancer affects female fertility

Cancer can harm female fertility in several ways. Below are the most common treatments that can have an impact on female fertility:.

Surgery

Surgery is a primary treatment for many types of cancers. Female reproductive organs, such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus, are often removed or partially removed during cancer surgery. This can affect female fertility significantly.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that kills cancer cells in the body. Unfortunately, it can also damage healthy cells, including ovarian cells.

The eggs stored in the ovaries may be affected, leading to a decline in fertility or permanent infertility. The degree of impact depends on the patient’s age, type of chemotherapy drug, and dosage.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is another common cancer treatment that can impair fertility. Radiation is used to kill cancer cells, but it can also damage nearby healthy cells in the process.

High doses of radiation to the pelvic area can cause permanent damage to the ovaries, leading to infertility.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy is a treatment for some cancers that require hormones to grow, such as breast and ovarian cancers. This treatment can suppress ovarian function, stop ovulation, and cause menstrual irregularities, leading to infertility.

Impact of cancer on fertility for different age groups

The age of the patient is an essential factor that determines the impact of cancer treatments on fertility. Female fertility declines naturally as a woman ages, as she has fewer eggs in her ovaries.

Below is the impact of cancer on fertility for different age groups:.

For women under 35

Women under 35 who undergo cancer treatments are at high risk of premature ovarian failure, which can lead to infertility. Premature ovarian failure occurs when the ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40.

This condition can lead to a decline in estrogen levels and menstrual irregularity, causing infertility. Women under 35 may also suffer from a build-up of scar tissue in their reproductive organs, which can impair fertility.

For women between 35 and 40

Women between 35 and 40 may have a lower risk of infertility than younger women. However, their fertility may decline at a faster rate due to cancer treatments.

For women who undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there is an increased risk of early menopause, which can affect fertility.

For women over 40

Women over 40 have a higher risk of infertility, even without cancer treatments, as their ovarian reserve declines. If women over 40 undergo cancer treatments, their chance of becoming pregnant naturally declines even further.

However, it is worth noting that some women over 40 may still have viable eggs in their ovaries and may be able to conceive after cancer treatment.

Options for preserving fertility

Fortunately, there are ways to preserve fertility for women undergoing cancer treatments. Here are some options:.

Egg freezing

Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is an effective method of preserving fertility. Women undergo a process to stimulate their ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are then extracted and frozen until the woman is ready to use them.

While egg freezing is not a guarantee for future pregnancy, it can give women a chance to conceive through IVF later on.

Embryo cryopreservation

Embryo cryopreservation is similar to egg freezing, but the eggs are fertilized with sperm to create embryos before freezing. This option is usually recommended for women who have a partner as it requires sperm.

It also requires IVF to get pregnant in the future.

Ovarian tissue freezing

Ovarian tissue freezing is a newer technique for preserving fertility. It involves the removal of ovarian tissue, which contains immature eggs. The tissue is frozen and re-implanted later on.

This option is still considered experimental and is usually only recommended for younger women who cannot undergo other fertility preservation options due to medical reasons.

Conclusion

Cancer treatments can have a severe impact on female fertility, but it is possible to preserve fertility through various methods.

Women who have been diagnosed with cancer should talk to their oncologist and a reproductive specialist to determine the best course of action for preserving their fertility.