For some people, fertility does return after cancer treatment. However, it may take a long time.

For women, the return of menstruation may or may not signal fertility, but getting blood tests for hormones and other tests performed by an infertility specialist can give a better answer.

Women who have had chemotherapy or have had radiation treatment to the pelvic or abdominal area should consult an obstetrician before trying to get pregnant, to make sure that their heart, lungs, and uterus are healthy enough to avoid pregnancy complications. For example, when a girl or young woman has radiation that includes the uterus, it is important to know whether the uterus is normal in size and can expand enough during pregnancy.

Men often have low sperm counts or motility (the movement of the sperm) at the time their cancer is diagnosed, but this may improve after cancer treatment. Sperm quality may rise for several years following cancer treatment, depending on the drugs used, the doses, and each person's individual recovery. Even though men may produce sperm, the number and their ability to move may not be enough to conceive without some medical help. A semen analysis, in which a man's semen is examined under a microscope, can indicate whether a pregnancy is likely through intercourse or what type of infertility treatment will be needed. Because each person's situation is different, it is important to talk to your doctor before trying to start a pregnancy.