Most surgical cancer treatments will not affect an individual¡¯s ability to reproduce, however, if the surgery involves any part of a woman or man¡¯s reproductive system, fertility complications will arise. Types of cancer treatment surgeries that can cause fertility problems include hysterectomies, bilateral oophrectomies, surgeries involving the cervix, vulva or vagina, bilateral orchidectomies, prostectomies, and some bladder surgeries, bowel surgeries and prostrate surgeries.

Radiation therapy is another method that is commonly used in the treatment of cancer. How severe the effects on fertility are with this type of treatment will largely depend on the dosage of radiation given and the duration of the treatment. Oftentimes, individuals who undergo total body radiation therapy will experience permanent infertility, while patients who receive small doses of radiation will experience only temporary infertility or no infertility at all.

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that oftentimes causes temporary infertility. As with radiation therapy, how severe the fertility complications are and how long infertility lasts will largely depend on the type of chemotherapy drugs and the dosage being administered to a patient, how old the patient is and the patient¡¯s overall health prior to treatment.

Hormonal therapy is also often used to treat patients who have been afflicted with cancer. When women undergo hormonal therapy, it will often cause temporary infertility. However, hormonal therapy has been known to cause women to go into early menopause, resulting in permanent infertility concerns.

If a patient who is undergoing cancer treatment is worried about the effects the treatment will have on his or her fertility, a discussion with one¡¯s physician will be able to shed light on exactly which therapy you will be undergoing and what risks are associated with that specific treatment.