Preserving Fertility During Cancer Treatment
Finding out that you have cancer can be overwhelming. At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, you can count on our oncology team to support you every step of the way. This includes helping you preserve your future fertility through specialized oncofertility care if you plan to have a family in the future.
Timing of fertility preservation is crucial – especially if you’re having cancer treatments that can impact your future fertility. Our team can help you understand your options and why it’s important to start planning for your reproductive health early.
What is Female Oncofertility?
Female oncofertility combines cancer treatment and fertility to help improve your chances of having a biological child later in life. For example, fertility preservation procedures can expand your reproductive options if you need to have radiation or chemotherapy – which are the most common causes of permanent infertility.
Taking steps to protect your future fertility before your cancer treatment begins is important. Sylvester oncology experts work to preserve your eggs, embryos, and other reproductive tissues, so your chances of having children in the future are maximized.
Our program provides individualized consultation and education on how your oncology treatment plan may impact your future fertility, helping you choose the best possible option.
You may be a candidate for oncofertility if:
- You are undergoing chemotherapy, which can cause early-onset menopause for women and may lead to problems getting pregnant.
- You are undergoing radiation therapy, which can cause permanent damage to the uterus and/or ovaries.
- You are undergoing targeted therapies or hormone therapies, which may require you not to get pregnant for a number of years.
- You have undergone cancer treatment in the past. All cancer carries some risk of recurrence, and future cancer surgery or further chemotherapy or radiation may harm your fertility.
How Cancer Treatments Affect Female Fertility
Managing cancer treatment and fertility goals often requires special care. Here are some ways cancer treatments can impact fertility in women:
- Chemotherapy and female fertility. Chemotherapy may damage active cells in the ovaries, impacting their ability to produce viable eggs.
- Radiation therapies and female fertility. Radiation may cause damage to the ovaries and uterus in women and girls, affecting female fertility.
- Surgeries affecting fertility. Certain surgeries can affect or sometimes remove the organs needed for fertility and pregnancy. An example may include hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).
- Certain medications. Some medications such as hormone therapies may affect fertility. This may be only a temporary effect of treatment.
Fertility Preservation Options for Female Cancer Patients
The fertility preservation treatment you choose may be affected by your cancer treatment timeline and other factors. Options may include the following:
- Egg freezing (cryopreservation)
- Embryo freezing (cryopreservation)
- Ovarian tissue freezing. During this procedure, ovarian tissue is removed from the body, frozen, and then transplanted back at a later time, making pregnancy possible.
- Ovarian transposition. This procedure moves your ovaries out of the radiation area to reduce your risk of future infertility.
Benefits of Female Oncofertility
Taking steps to preserve your future fertility before your cancer treatment can offer the following benefits:
- Reproductive options. Freezing your eggs at a younger age can significantly improve your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy through IVF later in life.
- More control over family planning. Egg freezing empowers you to make informed decisions about your family planning timeline.
- Peace of mind. Knowing you have preserved your fertility can offer peace of mind and reduce stress related to future family planning.
Risks and Side Effects of Fertility Preservation During Cancer Treatment
At Sylvester, we’re committed to ensuring the safety of fertility preservation. Still, there are possible risks and side effects with procedures such as egg, embryo, and tissue freezing. For example, fertility preservation risks may include the following:
- The egg collection process could potentially cause bleeding or infection. Also, the hormones you take at the start of the process could cause symptoms similar to PMS, such as cramping and bloating.
- Though not common, you may face possible complications from going under anesthesia.
- There is a small chance that the needle used in the egg retrieval process could possibly puncture an organ such as the bowel or bladder, but this is uncommon.
- Ovarian stimulation could possibly cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS is a potentially serious condition that can occur if the body has an exaggerated response to excess hormones, causing the ovaries to become swollen and painful, among other symptoms.
- With ovarian tissue freezing for patients with blood cancer, there is a chance of reintroducing cancerous cells when the thawed tissue is reimplanted in the body.
Talk with your doctor about other possible risks and side effects of any procedure you are considering.
Success Rates of Fertility Preservation Techniques for Female Cancer Patients
Fertility preservation effectiveness can vary – and there is no guarantee of pregnancy. Still, many cancer survivors have had positive reproductive outcomes.
Your doctor can provide more information about fertility preservation success rates and what you can expect.
Preparing for Fertility Preservation Procedures
Managing fertility concerns while also planning for your cancer treatment can be stressful. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and comfortable with your care. Patient preparation for fertility procedures can include the following:
- Consultation. During a consultation with one of our fertility specialists, you can discuss your diagnosis and goals to determine what treatment is right for you. If you decide to move ahead with fertility preservation, your provider may perform different evaluations, such as an ultrasound and checking your hormone levels.
- Fertility preservation preparation. Depending on your fertility preservation treatment, you may need to take certain steps to prepare. For example, if you’re having egg or embryo freezing, you’ll need to prepare your body. As part of this 14-day process, your oncofertility specialist will prescribe an injectable and/or oral (by mouth) medication that stimulates your ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Step to take before your fertility procedure. This is a time to focus on you and take good care of yourself. For example, eat a nutrient-rich diet and avoid processed foods. Also, avoid alcohol, smoking, and vaping. Try to do moderate exercise, decrease stress, and get plenty of sleep.
Support Services at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Our team is here to support you each step of the way in your treatment and beyond. Our services include:
- Counseling. We understand that oncofertility treatment involves more than just physical care. You may also need emotional and personal support as you manage your concerns about cancer treatment and your desire to have a family in the future. Our experts are here for you every step of the way to answer questions about fertility support and your cancer diagnosis.
- Follow-up care. As a cancer survivor, you may continue to have questions about your health – and it’s natural for new concerns to arise as you pursue parenthood and other life goals. You can count on our expert care providers and our survivorship services to help guide you through your treatment and fertility journey – and beyond.
What Happens After Fertility Preservation?
The next steps after fertility preservation can vary depending on your fertility preservation procedure.
If you choose to have your eggs, embryos, or ovarian tissue frozen, they will be stored and monitored in a facility that can ensure they are preserved in the proper conditions. Frozen eggs and embryos can remain in storage for decades. If you’ve had ovarian tissue freezing, ovarian tissue can be kept for several years.
The post-preservation process
When you’re ready to start a family, your eggs or embryos may be thawed and used for procedures such as in vitro fertilization. As part of the IVF process, one or more fertilized eggs (embryos) are placed inside your uterus to help begin a pregnancy. Or, you may choose to use a gestational carrier to carry out the pregnancy.
If you’ve had ovarian tissue freezing, the tissue is thawed and reimplanted in your body. Once your ovaries begin producing eggs, you may try to get pregnant naturally. Or you may pursue a fertility procedure such as IVF.
Is Fertility Preservation Covered by Insurance for Female Cancer Patients?
Fertility preservation is not typically covered by insurance. Still, check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. At Sylvester, we offer self-pay and financing options to help make care more accessible.
We’re Here for You
Managing the fertility impact of cancer treatments can be difficult – but you’re not alone. Female oncofertility services can offer hope and support to help you move forward with your future family planning.
At Sylvester, we provide comprehensive fertility preservation care centered around your needs and goals. This includes options to freeze your eggs, embryos, and ovarian tissue to expand your reproductive options.
We understand how important future parenthood is to you – and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Contact Us: Have questions? Contact our fertility experts today. Call us at 305-243-8642.
Why Choose Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center?
Patient-centered oncofertility care. The ideal approach to fertility preservation varies based on your needs. Factors like age, diagnosis, planned treatment, and time available before treatment all play a role. We believe in individualized, patient-centered care and can discuss both standard and cutting-edge options Additionally, we offer support and guidance if you have completed treatments that might have affected your fertility.
Focus on urgency. Early action is key, particularly when treatments pose a risk to fertility. Our compassionate team works closely with you to explore fertility preservation options and prioritize your consultations in our schedule.
Wide range of innovative treatments. If you need specialized care to aid you in your fertility planning, you can find it right here with us. We offer services such as pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS), hormone testing, ovulation evaluation, and more to help you better understand your reproductive health and your treatment options.
Minimizing stress. Facing a medical condition and its potential impact on fertility can be overwhelming. We work closely with you to understand your specific risks and fertility preservation options. This helps ensure you receive the best possible care, focusing not just on fighting your current diagnosis, but also on your long-term health and well-being.
High pregnancy rates. We can support you through every stage of your family-planning journey – from fertility preservation to in vitro fertilization (IVF) when you’re ready to pursue parenthood. We have some of the highest pregnancy rates in not only South Florida, but in the entire United States. Our success stories include even the most challenging cases. When caring for each of our patients, we strive to always maintain the highest ethical standards and practices.
Support for every part of your life. Our team of psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, pain management professionals, and others work on behalf of you and your family members. This includes dedicated therapy and health services to support you throughout your treatment and beyond.
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