Male Fertility Options Before and After Cancer Treatments

Men are much more fortunate when it comes to fertility issues, as well as fertility after cancer treatments. Unless you have testicular cancer, prostate cancer, or lymphoma, there is a very good chance that your sperm and sperm production will be just fine after your last cancer treatment is complete. In the meantime, you should still know what your risks and options are.

Sperm Mobility

Sometimes sperm gets really weird after chemo and radiation. Your sperm motility rate is low, or the ideal shape of the sperm is not present and they are all seriously deformed. Anything could happen, really, so sometimes it is best if you freeze a lot of good sperm before you go through your recommended cancer treatments.

Erectile Dysfunction

Even long after your cancer treatments, and your clean bill of health, you may have great sperm that move perfectly. Unfortunately, another problem can deflate your plans to create a healthy baby. Erectile dysfunction after cancer treatments is quite common because your testosterone levels are extremely low. Your doctor can prescribe testosterone pills or injections that can help naturally. There is always that "little blue pill" as well, but most doctors like to start with more natural approaches when you have just recovered from cancer.

Drop-off in Sperm Count

It is really important for you to wait the recommended number of months after your last cancer treatment to try and conceive. For one, your sperm have to return to a more normal shape. Two, your testosterone levels have to recover, and three, your sperm count needs to rise in order to have a better chance at impregnating your partner. Twenty million sperm is what is normal for a single ejaculation, and after the final cancer treatment, this is likely to be quite a bit less. Giving your body time to recover will eventually help you produce more and more sperm. It may be difficult to wait, but if you want a very healthy baby very soon, waiting is what you need to do.

Your oncologist will have other options and information regarding your fertility after cancer treatments. You should avoid sexual intercourse entirely with your female partner, unless you use a condom or some other form of fool-proof birth control. Otherwise, you may accidentally conceive and your partner would have to undergo lots of tests to make sure there are no birth defects in the baby. There may be other precautions you will need to take. For more information, speak with a doctor at facilities like the Silver Cancer Institute.