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Testicular cancer - fertility

KaHa
  • 2 replies
  • 36 subscribers
  • 198 views

Hello,

My husband had testicular cancer in 2021, he had one testicle removed and then 1 round of Adjuvant chemotherapy. Thankfully he is recovered and all clear on cancer currently.

Before he had the operation, he did a sperm sample. A year after the chemo they tested his sperm and said it was back to normal so we had the sample destroyed. A year after that (at the beginning of 2023) we started trying for a baby.

It’s now a year and a half later and we have had no luck conceiving. My husband recently had a sperm sample checked and it came back with very low motility. 

I’m now wondering is it normal practice to have the sperm checked at a year and for it to be ok, and then go on to have problems later? I keep reading sperm isn’t back to normal, until 2 years after chemo. Is this correct? 

Thank you for any help you can give Blush

  • Hello KaHa,

     

    Thanks for getting in touch and a warm welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line. I can see that you are a member of our Testicular cancer forum, I hope you are finding it supportive.

    I am glad to hear that your husband had the all clear following his treatment for testicular cancer, but it is understandable that you have some questions about fertility.

    Chemotherapy for testicular cancer usually causes infertility but this is usually temporary. How quickly the sperm count recovers after chemotherapy can vary. It can depend on:

    • your sperm count before having chemotherapy.
    • the type and amount of chemotherapy you have.

    Your sperm count usually starts to return to normal about 18 months to 2 years after treatment. But it can take longer for some people.

    Having one testicle removed doesn't usually affect your ability to have children. But sometimes the remaining testicle might not work so well. This could reduce your fertility.

    It is difficult to know why your husband’s original sperm sample, which was taken a year after treatment, was normal but is now showing low motility. We would definitely advise talking to his specialist team about this.

    If you haven’t been already you could ask to be referred to a specialist fertility clinic, your husband’s specialist team should have details to support you. For a list of fertility clinics in the UK, see the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) website. You can ask if you can be referred to a clinic that specialises in preserving fertility for cancer patients. You may also find the fertilitynetworkuk helpful.

    I wish you the very best with getting some answers and finding support. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if we can support you further.

     Best wishes,

    Heidi

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

    Ref/Lrob/HC

  • in reply to Heidi C - Macmillan

    Hi Heidi,

    Thank you so much for your reply. 

    KaHa

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