Some treatments for blood cancer, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can affect your ability to have children in the future. This can be temporary or permanent.
It’s important to talk to your treatment team about fertility before you start treatment. There may be ways to protect your fertility (your ability to have children) before treatment begins. With some types of blood cancer there is a need to start treatment without delay. This means it may not be possible to pursue fertility preservation before treatment.
For men: Saving sperm
Some treatments can lower the number of sperm or stop sperm from being made. This may get better after treatment, but not always.
Sperm banking is one way to protect fertility. It means collecting sperm and freezing it so it can be used later to try for a baby.
- You’ll need to talk to your treatment team early, before treatment starts.
- Sometimes, people are too unwell to give a sperm sample right away.
- You may need to give more than one sample.
- Freezing sperm doesn’t always mean it will lead to a pregnancy later.
If you’re unsure or worried, ask your treatment team or fertility specialist, they can explain your options.
For women: Protecting fertility
Some cancer treatments can damage the ovaries, which may lead to early menopause (when your periods stop). There are a few ways that may help protect fertility:
- Embryo freezing – eggs are collected, joined with sperm, and frozen for future use.
- Egg freezing – eggs are collected and frozen without being fertilised.
- Ovarian tissue freezing – a small piece of ovary is removed and frozen. This is still being studied.
- Goserelin (Zoladex) injections – may help protect your ovaries during chemotherapy by temporarily putting them “to sleep,” which can lower the risk of egg damage. It’s given monthly as an injection under the skin during treatment. It doesn’t work for everyone, and pregnancy after treatment is not guaranteed.
Important things to know:
- These options can take time and may delay treatment.
- They can be expensive.
- Not all options work for everyone.
- Getting pregnant in the future is not guaranteed.
- Some women may choose to use donor eggs later on.
Talk with your treatment team and fertility specialists about what might be right for you.
What you can do
- Ask your doctor if your treatment might affect your fertility.
- Talk about ways to protect your fertility before starting treatment.
- Ask for a referral to a fertility specialist.
- Make a list of your options and their pros and cons.
- Talk to people you trust, like your partner, family, or friends.
- Write down your decisions and why you made them. This may help you understand your decisions in the future.
- Ask about how long you should wait after treatment before trying for a baby.
- Talk to a counsellor if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Your treatment team and fertility specialists are there to support you. Ask questions, stay informed, and make the choice that feels right for you.
More information:
- Cancer treatment and fertility
- Fertility preservation
- Preserving fertility
- Fertility and cancer
- Fertility in women having cancer treatment [PDF]
- Fertility in men having cancer treatment [PDF]
- Fertility after cancer – 7 part video series [YouTube]
- Webinar: Fertility and blood cancer [YouTube]
- Cancer treatment may reduce fertility [YouTube]
- Resources for adolescent and young adult patients
- A guide to fertility for young people with cancer [PDF]
