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Infertility in Female Childhood Cancer Patients

Infertility is the inability to produce children after a year or more of regular sexual intercourse without using any birth control methods. Infertility can be a side effect of certain childhood cancer treatments.

Before cancer therapy starts, talk to your health care team about the impact of treatment on the patient’s fertility or future ability to become pregnant and give birth. Families may also talk to a fertility specialist who can help answer any questions.

The organs of the female reproductive system work together so a woman can get pregnant, carry a developing human until time for delivery, and give birth.

The organs of the female reproductive system work together so a woman can get pregnant, carry a developing human until time for delivery, and give birth.

The organs of the female reproductive system work together so a woman can get pregnant, carry a developing human until time for delivery, and give birth.

How the female reproductive system works

To understand fertility, it’s helpful to understand how the reproductive system works. Females have two ovaries. They are usually located on either side of the uterus in a woman’s pelvic area.

During puberty, the pituitary gland in the brain signals the ovaries to start making more estrogen and progesterone. The reproductive system needs these hormones so that it can work.

A girl is born with all the eggs she will ever have. Once a month, the ovaries usually release 1 egg. If sperm from a male fertilizes the egg, the female becomes pregnant.

How cancer treatment affects fertility

Treatment may affect a patient’s fertility if it affects the person’s:

  • Pelvic area
  • Reproductive organs
  • Pituitary gland

The treatment may decrease the number of eggs or affect the quality of the eggs.

Take action before treatment starts

Before treatment begins, parents and the patient, if old enough, should talk with the care team about the effect cancer treatment couldaffect the patient’s ability to have children.

  • If the treatment could affect fertility, ask the medical team what actions can be taken to protect fertility.
  • Find out the cost of treatments and if it is covered by insurance. Ask a social worker at your center for information about financial support resources.

Procedures that can preserve fertility

Other ways to have children after treatment

There are many ways to have children after cancer treatment. There is a chance your treatment will not affect your ability to have children. If so, you might naturally get pregnant and have a child. Other options include:

  • Having sperm put into your frozen eggs in a laboratory. This is called in vitro fertilization. Doctors put the egg inside your body when it is ready to grow.
  • Using an egg from another woman 
  • Adopting a child 

There are many ways to create a family. Your health care team can help you learn about your options for having children after cancer treatment. They want to help you make the best choice for you.

Questions to ask before treatment begins

Consider asking questions such as:

  • Could treatment increase the risk of, or cause, infertility?
  • Are there other recommended cancer treatments that might not cause fertility problems?
  • Which fertility preservation options would you advise for me?
  • What fertility preservation options are available at this hospital? At a fertility clinic?
  • Would you recommend a fertility specialist (such as a reproductive endocrinologist) that I could talk with to learn more?
  • Is birth control also recommended?
  • What are the chances that my fertility will return after treatment?

Key Points

  • Talk to your health care provider about how cancer treatment can affect your fertility.
  • There are ways to preserve fertility after cancer treatment. Discuss with your team which options might be right for you.


Reviewed: September 2022