Bangkok: A prevalent belief that continues to cause hesitation among female cancer patients regarding chemotherapy is the assumption that undergoing such treatment results in permanent infertility. Concerns stem from the understanding that chemotherapy drugs can disrupt ovarian function, affecting ovulation and menstruation.
According to Thai News Agency, infertility is not an inevitable outcome for all cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The impact on fertility varies, with factors such as the patient's age and the chemotherapy dosage playing significant roles. Temporary infertility is often observed in younger patients who receive lower doses or shorter courses of chemotherapy. In these cases, menstruation typically resumes within two years of completing treatment. Conversely, permanent infertility is more likely when chemotherapy is administered during the perimenopausal period, as certain drugs can irreversibly damage ovarian eggs.
Medical professionals advise against pregnancy during chemotherapy due to potential risks to the embryo. However, it is possible for pregnant patients to continue receiving chemotherapy if prescribed drugs are chosen carefully to minimize harm to the unborn child. Women desiring pregnancy post-chemotherapy may consider egg freezing, embryo freezing, or ovarian tissue freezing as viable options.
Data indicates that approximately one-third of women experiencing irregular periods during chemotherapy will see a return to normal menstrual cycles within six to twelve months after treatment cessation. A 2016 survey in the journal Fertility and Sterility reported that 70% of women who faced amenorrhea during chemotherapy saw resolution post-treatment, with 90% experiencing a return to normal menstruation within two years.
The likelihood of achieving pregnancy after chemotherapy is influenced by several factors, including cancer type, chemotherapy drug, dosage, and treatment duration. Physicians often recommend avoiding pregnancy for at least six months after treatment to clear the body of damaged eggs or waiting 2-5 years to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, particularly with cancers challenging to manage during pregnancy.
Despite the cessation of menstruation during chemotherapy, the reproductive system may still produce eggs, creating a possibility for pregnancy, which poses risks to the developing embryo. Therefore, effective contraception is crucial for patients undergoing chemotherapy. For those requiring chemotherapy during pregnancy, doctors focus on drugs that minimize embryonic harm.
Egg freezing involves retrieving and cryopreserving eggs at around -195 degrees Celsius, but requires two weeks of ovulation-stimulating injections, which may not be feasible for urgent chemotherapy cases. Embryo freezing, involving the preservation of embryos from IVF procedures, offers another option but requires the consent of both egg and sperm donors for future use in pregnancies.