How Chemotherapy Can Affect Chemo Pregnancy
By Parenting Editor
While there may be a temporary pause in a woman's periods during chemotherapy, her ovaries may still produce eggs and thus enable her to get pregnant ...
Chemotherapy does not necessarily affect the fertility of a woman. However, it can prevent your ovaries from working temporarily or even permanently depending on the drugs and doses consumed to an extent. Beside this, age factor also plays a vital role in deciding it. Literally, if a woman is closer to natural menopause, then in that case, she has more chances of becoming infertile permanently.
If a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs due to the effect of chemotherapy drugs, then most probably she will not be able to conceive in the future. While there may be a temporary pause in their periods during chemo, their ovaries may still produce eggs and thus enable them to get pregnant. Therefore, it is recommended to keep on using contraception, even if periods stop. Pregnancy during chemo i.e. chemo pregnancy must be avoided, as it may harm a baby. A woman must consult her oncologist.
Effects of Chemo
Temporary Infertility: In the case of temporary infertility, a woman may have irregular periods or they may stop during chemo, but periods get normal after the treatment is over. It may take from 6 months to a year after the chemo.
Early Menopause: chemo may cause an early menopause. Monthly periods may become irregular and stop at once. It may also cause hot flushes, dry skin, vaginal dryness, reduced sexual desire and weakness.
According to the type of the cancer a woman is suffering; an oncologist may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to reduce menopausal symptoms. It assists in preventing the side effects. However, hormones cannot help in producing eggs.
Already Pregnant
If a woman is already pregnant before being diagnosed with chemo, then she must discuss with her oncologist about positive and negative impacts of continuing your pregnancy.
At times one can postpone chemo until the baby is born, but it is not possible always and in all cases. There are certain cases when a woman needs to undergo chemo in the very period of pregnancy, but it is very rare. It is decided on the basis of type of cancer, stage of the disease and drugs being taken.
It is essential that a woman openly discuss her pregnancy. Make sure that you are completely aware of all the risks involved and choices available to you before reaching any decision.
Pregnancy after Chemo
Most oncologists will advise women to wait for at least two years before becoming pregnant after chemo treatment and avoid chemo pregnancy. It is not due to the reason that pregnancy may affect cancer. Rather it is due to the fact that in case the cancer returns, then it is most likely to happen within the time of two years after the treatment. Also, if the cancer returns, then treatment will be needed, which may be otherwise very difficult if a woman if she is either pregnant or has a young baby.
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