In both men and women chemotherapy drugs can affect fertility. Infertility Infertility is a side effect of some treatments given for cancer and can affect how people see themselves. Sometimes when your cancer is diagnosed you may already be less fertile. If you were wanting a family then the impact of the news on infertility can be devastating. This loss can cause a whole range of emotions.
Many women describe feeling less of a woman when they are unable to have children.
The sadness and disappointment is very real. Dreams for the future can be shattered, and an overwhelming sense of loss can be felt. Your doctors may not be in a position to know for sure that you will be infertile, so for some people there is an uncertainty which is ongoing and difficult to cope with. It is important to talk about infertility with your cancer specialist, who will be able to advise you about methods to preserve your fertility before you start any treatment. In some cases, it may be possible for a man's sperm to be collected, frozen and stored before chemotherapy starts.