Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women all around the world. It not only affects the physical health but also affects the reproductive health of women, which leads to complications in the fertility and pregnancy of the women. The impact on women's fertility after cervical cancer depends on various factors, including the stage of cancer, the type of treatment received, and individual health factors. Today, we are going to discuss a comprehensive guideline about Fertility and pregnancy after cervical cancer in women.
Understanding Cervical Cancer and its Impact on Pregnancy or Fertility
Cervical cancer is the growth of the abnormal cells in the cervix, which leads to several complications in women, such as minor vaginal bleeding to severe life-threatening risks. This may even be complicated if it occurs during or after the pregnancy. Cervical cancer is considered the most common malignancy in pregnant women. Depending on the treatment of cervical cancer, there might be a risk of infertility or pregnancy complications.
Complications in Fertility and Pregnancy After Cervical Cancer
Due to the complications in cervical cancer treatment, women are often facing difficulty in getting pregnant or infertility issues. Some cervical cancer pregnancy risks are given below:
Surgery: There is an increased risk of incompetency or difficulty in getting pregnant due to the scarring or narrowing of the cervix due to the conization or trachelectomy (surgery to remove the cervix) procedure.
Surgery or other treatment can affect the sexual health of women, which increases the risk of infertility in women who are getting cervical cancer treatment.
Radiation therapy:Â The radioactive waves from the radiation therapy have affected the womb of the women and can cause damage to the ovaries, which leads to affecting the ovulation process.
Chemotherapy:Â The chemo drugs in cervical cancer can decrease the healthy egg count in the ovaries and can increase the risk of infertility in women who are closer to the menopause stage.
Hormone therapy:Â Hormone therapy can change the hormone level, which leads to hormone imbalance and affects the menstrual cycle. This paves the way for infertility in cervical cancer patients.
It is advised to speak with your healthcare provider if you have any plans to get pregnant or are concerned about the pregnancy to avoid the miscarriage risk during pregnancy.
Guidelines for Fertility and pregnancy management after cervical cancer
Early Consultation: Inform your doctor as soon as possible if you are planning to get pregnant after the cervical cancer treatment. It will help him to tailor the treatment based on the risk factors of cervical cancer and the treatment.
Egg or Embryo Freezing:Â If your doctor suggests you treat cervical cancer through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery, ask your doctor about the Embryo freezing option before the treatment. It will help you to preserve your egg and get pregnant through IVF or other methods after the treatment.
Cancer Treatment Planning:
Multidisciplinary Team: A multidisciplinary team approach that consists of oncologists, gynecologists, and surgeons will help you get through guidance for cervical cancer treatment and pregnancy.
Consultation with the Healthcare Team:Â Your doctor will advise you to wait at least 6-12 months to conceive after a conization or trachelectomy procedure. It will allow the cervix to get a proper healing time and enable it to conceive and carry a baby.
Surrogacy and Adoption:Â Your doctor can also advise you to consider surrogate pregnancy or adoption if the natural conception is not possible
Regular Follow-ups: Regular follow-ups can help you to make a proper decision about the pregnancy along with your doctor.
Screening Tests:Â It is also recommended to undergo proper cervical screening to monitor cervical cancer recurrence.
Cervical cancer can cause several complications in pregnancy or the fertility of the woman. It is recommended to consult with your doctor about pregnancy if you are diagnosed with cervical cancer. It will help to protect both the mother's health (maternal health) and fetal health after the cervical cancer treatment.