Chemo and fertility

Joncey

Chemo and fertility

Joncey

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the board, so let me introduce myself.  I'm 31, married and childless.  At 19 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's and was treated with rads.  I was dx in July with bc and underwent a left breast mastectomy in Sept.  Due to my previous rads treatment and my 3neg tumour, my only treatment option is chemo.  Before I can start my AC chemo treatment, I need to decide whether I want to pursue IVF.  My husband and I are deeply weighing this decicion and are unsure whether IVF will be necessary.

Has anyone been through chemo and gotten pregnant naturally, without IVF?  Is infertility common?

SwedishGirl

Hi!

I'm also new here, or rather I've lurked about for a while but this is my first post. I'm 32, married and childless and have undergone chemo for breast cancer. I did the IVF treatment and I would recommend it. There are certainly people who get pregnant naturally without IVF (I know a woman who is pregnant now after chemo for example) but there is no way of telling who will be able to concieve and who will not. I wouldn't take the risk if I were you. On the other hand, IVF treatment doesn't always go well either. I only produced two eggs and one became an embryo.

Izellah

Hey, Im also new here but i was reading you request, im 35 years old, second time around with cancer, first time wasnt maried but second time was married already with no kids and i highly recommend that if you can d IVF...Do it.  I did it this past february 2008 befre going into chemo, and i produced 25 eggs and 13 became embryos.  Everyone is different, you prefer to be safe than sorry.  I dindt do it the first time around bc i wasnt married or even thinking on having kids but I got married at 32 and when my cancer cameback i dint think twice about it. They are people that they do get their periods back after chemo but not everyone + the treatment of fertility is real easy.  Good luck to you

Hchurch902

I am stuck in the same conflict...I need to make the decision fast about if I want to have ivf. It is alot of money and I just dont know if it is nessasary but I would hate myself if after chemo I couldnt get pregnant. Confused...

Anonymous

I was 31 when DX and did IVF to freeze embryos with donor sperm and eggs. Then I launched Fertile Action to make sure others can do the same. Your period is not the primary indicator you are fertile and many onco's simply do not know that part of biology and medicine. Chemo will impact the quality of your eggs and will lower the number of eggs. Just because you get a period doesn't mean you have eggs that will produce a baby. About half of women will be in permanent, premature menopause. It makes a HUGE difference locking in your future as a mom!!! I believe every single woman has the right to become a mom regardless of BC. 

My org and Livestrong Sharing hope both help with the financial aspect. We make it more affordable.  Call 877-276-5951 and we can chat more about it. I'm in LA. With vision and gratitude, Alice