All cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, have side effects. Loss of fertility is one of them. This means that you will no longer be able to get pregnant. It might be temporary, but sometimes it is permanent. Infertility can be very hard to come to terms with. The sense of loss can be strong for people of all ages.

Breast cancer treatments can significantly impact sex hormone levels, often inducing early menopause or menopausal-like symptoms associated with specific therapies, including:

Hormone Therapy: Medications that suppress or reduce hormone production.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapeutic agents that may disrupt ovarian function

The likelihood of permanent menopause increases in women closer to the natural menopausal age, typically around 51 years globally, though studies specific to Nigerian women suggest a range of 48–52 years. In Nigerian women who have already undergone natural menopause, breast cancer treatments may still trigger infertility or menopausal-like symptoms. Predicting whether infertility will be temporary or permanent is challenging.

It is important to discuss your fertility with your doctor before starting your treatment. If you have a partner, they might want to join in during the discussion. That way you can both talk over your feelings and discuss your options.

It can be very difficult to learn that you might no longer be able to have children. Not everyone is sure if they want children. But having the choice taken away can be very difficult to cope with. It can be devastating if you wanted to have a child or more children. Some people are able to accept it and feel that coping with cancer is more important. Some patients seem to accept the news calmly when they start treatment, but they find it hits them later when the treatment is over.