Cancer and other serious medical conditions may threaten an individual or couple's chance of having children in the future. Although many people return to good health after successfully facing cancer, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation may make it difficult for men and women to conceive. The UAB Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility offers the most advanced treatments for fertility preservation and restoration. The clinic's experts will assist you and your oncologist in deciding which options are best for you prior to chemotherapy or radiation and assist in determining your fertility potential after treatment has occurred.

Fertility and Cancer

Many reproductive-age men and women in the United States successfully undergo cancer treatment. The likelihood of reproductive damage from cancer treatment depends on the type and duration of therapy as well as the age and sex of the patient. Radiation to the ovaries or testicles and chemotherapy with agents such as cyclophosphamide/bulsulfan, meclorethamine, chorambucil, melphalan, procarbazine, and cisplatin have the greatest impact on fertility potential. Many other treatment regimens may also lower the chance of pregnancy. However, several options are available for men and women who wish to preserve or enhance their reproductive potential.

Preserving Fertility in Women Before Cancer Treatment

IVF and Embryo Freezing - Women who have a partner may choose to take fertility medication with retrieval of their eggs prior to chemotherapy or radiation.

The eggs are fertilized in the lab using in vitro fertilization (IVF) , and the embryos are frozen for later use. This type of fertility preservation is the most established and has the highest success.

IVF and Egg Freezing - Women who do not have a partner may elect to take fertility medication with retrieval of their eggs prior to chemotherapy or radiation. The eggs are frozen without being fertilized with the hopes of using them later with IVF. However, egg or oocyte freezing is experimental.

Many types of cancer do not afford the time necessary to undergo the hormonal treatments required for IVF, and elevated estrogen levels associated with fertility medications may not be desirable with some types of cancer.

Ovarian Tissue Freezing - This technology is experimental but allows for retrieval of ovarian tissue without the delay or medications associated with IVF.

The frozen tissue may be stored for years and re-implanted with restoration of hormone production. Two surgical procedures are required to remove and then re-implant the tissue. Several babies have been born as a result of this technique.

Ovarian Suppression - Some researchers have proposed suppressing ovarian function with medications such as GnRH agonists to protect against the potentially toxic effects of cancer treatment. However, there is limited evidence that this approach is useful.

Ovarian Transposition or Relocation - Some types of cancer require radiation therapy directly to the pelvis. A surgical procedure may be performed to move the ovaries out of the pelvis and away from direct exposure to the radiation.

Preserving Fertility in Men Before Cancer Treatment

Sperm Banking - Semen samples may be frozen prior to the start of chemotherapy or radiation. In some cases, artificial or intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be performed when the couple is ready to pursue fertility. However, in most instances, IVF with injection of the sperm into the egg ( ICS ) is required because of low number and poor quality of the sperm.

Fertility After Cancer Treatments

Many women and men are able to safely pursue pregnancy after chemotherapy or radiation. Our reproductive experts will work with your oncologists to determine your fertility potential and treatment options.

Sperm production and function may take several years to recover. A semen analysis is used to determine the potential for pregnancy. If sperm counts are low, IUI or IVF may be required. In some cases, consultation with our male-fertility specialists and retrieval of sperm directly from the testicle will be required. Treatment with donor sperm is also available.

After clearance from the oncologist, a woman's fertility potential may be determined with a blood test and ultrasound of the ovaries. The full range of reproductive options-including IUI, IVF, IVF with donor eggs, embryo adoption, gestation carriers, and adoption-will be reviewed by our fertility team.

A word from our patients

"There is no better medical facility for couples in need of these services. I unconditionally recommend the UAB Infertility Clinic to anyone experiencing any type of infertility issues." -Libba Horsley

"I am convinced that UAB is the reason I gave birth to three healthy children." -Candace Wason

"We got the best of both worlds at UAB's Infertility Clinic-world-renowned research and a team of professionals who truly cared about us and what we were going through. Best of all, we got two perfectly healthy children-the children I had hoped for all my life." -Heidi Hallman

The Kirklin Clinic®

The UAB Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic is located on the first floor of the innovative Kirklin Clinic. In one building patients will discover advanced diagnostic and outpatient facilities, including labs, a pharmacy, and space for more than 700 physicians. A spacious parking deck connected by an enclosed skybridge makes parking easy, and escorts are available to help you find the infertility clinic. Located on the UAB campus, The Kirklin Clinic sits a few blocks from all of Birmingham's major highways.

For More Information

To make an appointment or get more information about your options, call (205) 801-7623, or if you are in Alabama, you can call (800) 282-1847.