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Cancer is often defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells in the body. Though in most cases, oncologists retain the ability to cure a patient completely, there are some cases where fatality rates are high. Besides the obvious dangers associated with cancer, there are numerous side effects while therapy is administered. These side effects range from temporary symptoms like headaches, nausea, hair loss, sensation of vomiting and giddiness to more permanent ones like infertility etc.
Twenty years ago, one could not think of life beyond cancer. However, the situation has changed considerably now, due to education and awareness. Though more lives are saved now, there are cases where patients have become victims of the side effects of cancer.
One such life altering effect of cancer is infertility. Women who suffer from it are hit the hardest because the condition hampers their plans to start a family. They can become infertile after treatment of vaginal cancer, cervical cancer etc. However, men fall victim to infertility if they are inflicted with testicular cancer.
Though several options are available to start a family post cancer treatment, many women feel depressed because they cannot conceive. Medical science has advanced to such a stage now that it allows women to become pregnant via:
- IVF: IVF is In-Vitro Fertilization. This enables a couple to get pregnant by allowing their respective reproductive cells to fertilize in a clinical environment. After successful fertilization, the egg is then planted in the uterus of the woman, who can carry a child till the expected term. Those women who had to remove their uterus may not opt for this method of conception.
- GIFT: Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer is a process wherein the gametes (ova and sperm) are fertilized inside the body of the woman after they are placed (with external medical help) inside the fallopian tubes.
Though these are two methods women can adopt in order to start a family, there are many other treatments that can be adopted depending on the nature and extent of damage the therapy has caused you and your reproductive system.
