Fertility testing

If you think your cancer or its treatment has affected your fertility, you may be able to have tests to find out whether you’re still able to have children.

Women may find that it takes a while before their periods start again or become regular. Some types of treatment may be likely to cause an early menopause.

After treatment, even if men are able to have erections and ejaculate, it may take a while before they start making sperm again. We have more information about fertility in young men|. 

After treatment, it can be hard to decide how long to wait to have a test to see whether you’re still able to have children. It’s important that you choose the right time for you, although sometimes there may be medical factors to take into account.

Deciding whether to have a fertility test

This can be a difficult decision, as it may affect other aspects of your life - such as your relationships with your partner, family members and friends. Everyone is different, and the decision about whether to have a fertility test is completely yours.

You may find it helpful to bear the following things in mind:

• A fertility test may not clearly show whether or not you can have children.
• You need to feel ready to cope with the results, whatever they are, so it’s important to know that you have people who can support you.
• Some people find the uncertainty of not knowing whether they’re able to have children more stressful than finding out. Regardless of whether or not they’re in a relationship, or ready to start a family yet, they’d prefer to find out whether they can have children. This can help them feel more in control and able to start to plan their future. This might include working out how to discuss this information with their partner or how to deal with new relationships.  
• For some people it may be enough to get information about the different options available for becoming a parent – these can include medical treatments or adoption. They may then delay having their fertility tested until later. It’s important to feel emotionally ready to have a fertility test.
• Other people in your life, for example your partner or parents, may feel that they need to know whether your fertility has been affected. Although this may seem like a good reason for finding out, the decision to have the test is yours.
• Think about what effect the test may have on you. If you’re worrying about whether or not you can have children, then finding out whether you’re fertile may really help you. Another way of dealing with worry or feelings is by having counselling. You can look at all the options for help before deciding whether to have the test.
• If you have a partner or other people who may be affected by the results of the test, it may be helpful to talk through with them beforehand how you might cope together. Talking can help you be clearer about what you’re both hoping for from the future and how the results of a fertility test might affect this.

Deciding when to get a fertility test

Some people prefer not to find out about their fertility until they reach a particular point in their life, such as:

• when they feel emotionally strong enough to deal with the results
• when they reach a certain age
• when they have met the person they see as their long-term partner
• when they want to start a family.

Your decision is also likely to depend on how you’re coping more generally after having cancer. It may also be affected by what else is going on in your life.

If you have other major demands, such as taking exams, leaving education, leaving home or starting a new job, these are likely to be stressful and challenging. In this case you may not want to add the emotional effects of having a fertility test.

Who can help?

As fertility testing is a big step to take, you might find it useful to talk through your thoughts and feelings with other people. These can include:

• your partner if you have one
• family members
• trusted friends
• professionals, such as doctors, nurses, social workers or counsellors.