Fertility can be affected by chemotherapy medications. If you are male, your doctor may also refer to it as andrology.
Chemotherapy medications kill or slow the growth of fast growing cancer cells. However, other fast growing cells can be affected by chemotherapy, such as sperm in men and ova (eggs) in women.
Chemotherapy treatment can lower the mobility and number of sperm produced in men and cause early menopause or poor quality eggs in women. This can cause infertility which may be temporary or permanent.
Although chemotherapy can reduce fertility it is still possible for some women to become pregnant while having treatment and a man may still make his partner pregnant.
Chemotherapy medications and treatment can also cause damage to an unborn baby.
Becoming pregnant while one partner is having chemotherapy can result in significant medical problems and malformation of the child. There might be congenital problems (deformities which have occurred during pregnancy) with the unborn child, or the baby may not survive to birth.
To reduce the likelihood of a pregnancy:
- While undergoing chemotherapy and for 6 months after the end of chemotherapy, it is important to use contraception to prevent pregnancy.
- Safe sex practices should be used including contraception/birth control. The type of birth control you choose will depend on what you and your partner are comfortable with. However, using barrier contraception (e.g. condom) is particularly advised.
If you and your partner want to keep the possibility of having children in the future, talk to your medical team about options for preserving future fertility. This is simplest for men, who can store their sperm for future use before treatment starts. For women, preserving fertility can be more complex and unpredictable. Women who wish to discuss fertility in more detail should ask for a referral to a gynaecologist who specialises in this area. Don’t hesitate to bring up this important issue with the medical team if it hasn’t been discussed.
• It is important to be aware that due to the timing of start of treatment it can be difficult to carry out egg collection and sperm banking.
• People who are not partnered but may want to preserve future fertility should also discuss these options.
• If you are part of a couple for whom having children in the future is not important, safe sex practices should still be used, particularly barrier contraception, during chemotherapy and for 6 months afterwards. Infertility is not guaranteed and may not happen immediately.
• If there is a time when your partner is off chemotherapy for more than 6 months, it may be possible to discuss options for conception. Please discuss this with the oncologist as the medical aspects will need to be considered and a referral to a fertility expert carried out.
Sexuality and Intimacy
The main cancer treatments are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Cancer treatments can affect the way your partner feels about themself, and can affect their desire or ability to have sex because they feel tired or unwell. They may feel less confident about how they look and what they are able to do. This is common if their body has changed physically or they have effects from cancer treatments such as weight gain or loss, hair loss, or scars from surgery.
Some of the sexual issues which have an effect on fertility:
- Erection difficulties: the ability to have and keep an erection may also be affected. Sexual intercourse may not always be possible but closeness and sharing can still be a part of your relationship. Talk about how you feel with your partner and take time to adapt to changes.
- Periods may become irregular or cease during chemotherapy.
- Menopause for women may occur which could be temporary or permanent. This can include problems such as vaginal dryness. The use of water-based lubricants which can be purchased at the pharmacy or supermarket may help.
- Tiredness or fatigue: chemotherapy and radiation may make your partner feel too tired or sick to want sex. Once treatment is over your loved one’s sex drive usually returns
Intimacy
Having a brain tumour can affect your partner’s sexuality both physically and emotionally. Dealing with a cancer diagnosis, its treatment and other challenges can make them feel like they are on an emotional rollercoaster. The impact and type of changes that can occur will depend on the treatment and side effects, your relationship with your partner, their mood and self-confidence.
Sexuality is not just about sexual intercourse. It is about who you are, how you feel about yourself and your feelings for others. Negative emotions and physical changes can affect the way people feel about themselves and others.
Cancer treatments can change your partner’s appearance and how their body works. Common changes include, weight loss or gain, hair loss, scars from surgery, loss of movement, altered sexual function.
Intimacy can be described as being physically and emotionally close to someone. It is about loving and being loved. Intimacy can be expressed in lots of ways such as communication, sharing, or through physical affection. Intimacy is a big part of a couple’s lives. However, it does not need to result in sex. Enjoying time alone together, kissing, cuddling, caressing and talking are other ways of being intimate and showing love.
Sexual intercourse may not always be possible during and after treatment, but closeness and sharing are important in a healthy relationship.
As a partner of a cancer patient, there are many ways you can help. Let your partner know that you still love them and find them attractive despite the changes that have occurred physically and emotionally. Remind them of their good qualities such are good sense of humour, intelligence smile or generosity. Talk to your partner, ask them to communicate how they feel, discuss fears, concerns, preferences, desires and expectations, and give them time and space to recover.