Pregnancy
Talk to your healthcare team about the best type of for you. This might depend on:
your cancer type
your medical history
For example, if you have a or a risk of blood clots, it might not be safe for you to use hormone based contraceptives. This includes the contraceptive pill, the contraceptive injection, or the intrauterine system (IUS).
It is not known for sure whether chemotherapy drugs can be passed on through semen or secretions from the vagina. So some doctors advise using a barrier method (such as condoms, femidoms or dental dams) if you have sex during treatment. This applies to vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Generally, you only need a barrier method when you are having the treatment and for about a week afterwards. You may be asked to use contraception for longer to avoid pregnancy. The length of time depends on the chemotherapy you have.
Advice like this can be worrying, but this does not mean that you have to avoid being intimate with your partner. You can still have close contact with your partner and continue to enjoy sex.
Most doctors will advise you to wait for some time after chemotherapy before becoming pregnant. The amount of time will depend on:
your type of cancer
the type of chemotherapy you have
the dose of chemotherapy you have
any other treatments you need
Speak to your healthcare team about when it is safe to try.
Last reviewed: 23 May 2024
Next review due: 24 May 2027
Cancer and its treatments can affect sex and sexuality. Get information and support for people with cancer, partners and single people.
Chemotherapy might affect your ability to have children (fertility). You might want to look into fertility treatments or get support to help you cope.
Whether you are someone with cancer or a carer for someone with cancer, we want you to know that it is common to struggle with your mental health when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. But there are people who can support you during this time and things you can do to help yourself.
Most chemotherapy side effects are temporary, but some people are affected months or years after treatment.
Some people carry on with their sex lives as normal during chemotherapy. Others find their treatment changes how they feel emotionally or physically.
Chemotherapy is a standard treatment for some types of cancer. It uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells.
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