New information about the impact of cancer treatment on fertility

You have a lot on your mind after receiving a cancer diagnosis. With so many unknowns about your health and future, you may forget to consider the impact of cancer treatment on fertility. Our Austin fertility experts have long recommended sperm, egg and embryo freezing to help patients preserve their fertility before starting chemotherapy or radiation. New research shows that fertility preservation before cancer treatment can also help preserve the fertility of your children.

The intergenerational impact of cancer treatment on fertility

Researchers in Utah examined the state’s population in two studies. The results showed that the daughters of women who underwent chemotherapy had 71% fewer children, and the sons of these women had 87% fewer children. Children of men who underwent chemotherapy had the same number of children as the general population.

This research shows the intergenerational impact of cancer treatment on fertility. Our Austin fertility experts have long known that chemotherapy and radiation can damage a patient’s reproductive potential. However, this new research suggests that it can also harm the fertility of a patient’s children.

The results suggest that chemotherapy given to women has a greater impact on intergenerational fertility. The fact that women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, while men make new sperm every day, could explain this difference.

These findings are startling. However, scientists state that more research is needed to gain more information.

The importance of fertility preservation

Before you begin cancer treatments, you should contact our Austin fertility experts. Not only can egg, sperm and embryo freezing help you preserve your ability to have a child, but it may also protect the future fertility of your children.

Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about fertility preservation for cancer patients. Texas Fertility Center can fast-track your treatment so that you don’t delay starting chemotherapy or radiation.