Thus, surgical removal of only one ovary or testicle should preserve fertility. The group of drugs called alkylating agents are the ones most often associated with fertility problems, especially in men. Individuals treated with high dosages and a combination of two or more of these drugs are more likely to encounter difficulty having children. In addition, individuals with brain tumors near the pituitary gland, or who received high doses of radiation or injury to this area, can occasionally have fertility problems. While fertility problems are often permanent, they can also be temporary.
Normal function can return, even years after treatment.
Recovery has occurred most often in women treated with chemotherapy alone. In contrast, some women who are currently able to get pregnant may enter menopause early, thus losing their ability to have children. Women treated with alkylating agents and those who received radiation to the pelvic area also appear to have a greater chance of early menopause. You may need to be tested to determine if you are able to have children. It is relatively easy to tell if a woman s ovaries are functioning normally.