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Interferon and Infertility
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Interferon and Infertility

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Interferon and Infertility

  • Post
    • July 13, 2014 at 12:38 pm
    meganc13
    Participant

      I've been seeing a lot lately that people have had issues with infertility after doing interferon.  This terrifies me!  I've been doing interferon for 9 months now, I'm 30 years old and my husband and I have every hope to have children some day.  Have any of you struggled with infertility as a direct result of the interferon?

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 13, 2014 at 6:33 pm
        Cooper
        Participant

          This article says that infertility is a side effect, it is by American Cancer Society:  http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/interferons-alfa

          • July 13, 2014 at 6:33 pm
          Cooper
          Participant

            This article says that infertility is a side effect, it is by American Cancer Society:  http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/interferons-alfa

            • July 13, 2014 at 6:33 pm
            Cooper
            Participant

              This article says that infertility is a side effect, it is by American Cancer Society:  http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/interferons-alfa

                • July 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm
                gaby
                Participant

                  Hi!

                  Yes, unfortunately interferon causes infertility.

                  My husband is with pegylated interferon since October 2012, He is stage 3a.  Unfortunately interferon caused infertility to him.  I even made ​​2 IVF (in vitro-ICSI), but I could not get pregnant even with IVF (ICSI). The spermograms my husband are getting worse ….

                  When my husband was ill with melanoma us even we did not have children .. And now the dream of parenthood will disappear

                  The only good thing is that my husband is giving to fight melanoma

                  Regards

                  Gaby (from argentina)

                  • July 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm
                  gaby
                  Participant

                    Hi!

                    Yes, unfortunately interferon causes infertility.

                    My husband is with pegylated interferon since October 2012, He is stage 3a.  Unfortunately interferon caused infertility to him.  I even made ​​2 IVF (in vitro-ICSI), but I could not get pregnant even with IVF (ICSI). The spermograms my husband are getting worse ….

                    When my husband was ill with melanoma us even we did not have children .. And now the dream of parenthood will disappear

                    The only good thing is that my husband is giving to fight melanoma

                    Regards

                    Gaby (from argentina)

                    • July 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm
                    gaby
                    Participant

                      Hi!

                      Yes, unfortunately interferon causes infertility.

                      My husband is with pegylated interferon since October 2012, He is stage 3a.  Unfortunately interferon caused infertility to him.  I even made ​​2 IVF (in vitro-ICSI), but I could not get pregnant even with IVF (ICSI). The spermograms my husband are getting worse ….

                      When my husband was ill with melanoma us even we did not have children .. And now the dream of parenthood will disappear

                      The only good thing is that my husband is giving to fight melanoma

                      Regards

                      Gaby (from argentina)

                    • July 13, 2014 at 6:45 pm
                    Fen
                    Participant

                       

                      Actually, the website says the following:

                      If you think you might want to have children in the future. This drug can affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the possible risk with this drug and the options that may preserve your ability to have children.

                      It doesn't cite any sources.

                      • July 13, 2014 at 6:45 pm
                      Fen
                      Participant

                         

                        Actually, the website says the following:

                        If you think you might want to have children in the future. This drug can affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the possible risk with this drug and the options that may preserve your ability to have children.

                        It doesn't cite any sources.

                        • July 13, 2014 at 6:45 pm
                        Fen
                        Participant

                           

                          Actually, the website says the following:

                          If you think you might want to have children in the future. This drug can affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the possible risk with this drug and the options that may preserve your ability to have children.

                          It doesn't cite any sources.

                          • July 14, 2014 at 7:46 pm
                          Thandster
                          Participant

                            Issues with fertility is one of many POSSIBLE side effects of interferon. It is one of the reasons I chose not to do it when it was offered. It was not the main reason, but it played in my decision making.   But as with side effects for anything, every person will respond differently. Just because it is a possible side effect doesnt mean you wont be able to have children. I have read many stories of people having children after interferon many of whom posted on this site. Most of those posts were from 2010 and before, because MANY more people actually did the interferon back then.  But wait until you're finished with the interferon, give your body time to recover, and when you are ready, go ahead and try to get pregnant. Just don't get ahead of yourself with worry. One step at a time.

                            Good luck to you!!

                              • July 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                              Lucky Wrenn
                              Participant

                                I was diagnosised with Melanoma when I was 17 and underwent surgery and one year of interferon treatment. I completed my entire treatment in July 2001. October of 2002 I gave birth to a very healthy son, in October 2007 I gave birth to a very healthy daughter, and in 2010 my youngest daughter was born healthy as the rest. I did not have any issues becoming pregnant, carrying or delivering any of my children, after my complete interferon treatment. I am now turning 32 and have not had a reoccurance of Melanoma. Every person responds a bit differently to their treatment. I agree with Thandster – complete your treatment, let your body recover and than start to plan your pregnancy. Believe me, as a parent you will spend many, many hours in worry related thinking, so take this time to know you are doing the best possible thing for your future family and take good care of yourself! You deserve it!! 

                                • July 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                                Lucky Wrenn
                                Participant

                                  I was diagnosised with Melanoma when I was 17 and underwent surgery and one year of interferon treatment. I completed my entire treatment in July 2001. October of 2002 I gave birth to a very healthy son, in October 2007 I gave birth to a very healthy daughter, and in 2010 my youngest daughter was born healthy as the rest. I did not have any issues becoming pregnant, carrying or delivering any of my children, after my complete interferon treatment. I am now turning 32 and have not had a reoccurance of Melanoma. Every person responds a bit differently to their treatment. I agree with Thandster – complete your treatment, let your body recover and than start to plan your pregnancy. Believe me, as a parent you will spend many, many hours in worry related thinking, so take this time to know you are doing the best possible thing for your future family and take good care of yourself! You deserve it!! 

                                  • July 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm
                                  Lucky Wrenn
                                  Participant

                                    I was diagnosised with Melanoma when I was 17 and underwent surgery and one year of interferon treatment. I completed my entire treatment in July 2001. October of 2002 I gave birth to a very healthy son, in October 2007 I gave birth to a very healthy daughter, and in 2010 my youngest daughter was born healthy as the rest. I did not have any issues becoming pregnant, carrying or delivering any of my children, after my complete interferon treatment. I am now turning 32 and have not had a reoccurance of Melanoma. Every person responds a bit differently to their treatment. I agree with Thandster – complete your treatment, let your body recover and than start to plan your pregnancy. Believe me, as a parent you will spend many, many hours in worry related thinking, so take this time to know you are doing the best possible thing for your future family and take good care of yourself! You deserve it!! 

                                  • July 14, 2014 at 7:46 pm
                                  Thandster
                                  Participant

                                    Issues with fertility is one of many POSSIBLE side effects of interferon. It is one of the reasons I chose not to do it when it was offered. It was not the main reason, but it played in my decision making.   But as with side effects for anything, every person will respond differently. Just because it is a possible side effect doesnt mean you wont be able to have children. I have read many stories of people having children after interferon many of whom posted on this site. Most of those posts were from 2010 and before, because MANY more people actually did the interferon back then.  But wait until you're finished with the interferon, give your body time to recover, and when you are ready, go ahead and try to get pregnant. Just don't get ahead of yourself with worry. One step at a time.

                                    Good luck to you!!

                                    • July 14, 2014 at 7:46 pm
                                    Thandster
                                    Participant

                                      Issues with fertility is one of many POSSIBLE side effects of interferon. It is one of the reasons I chose not to do it when it was offered. It was not the main reason, but it played in my decision making.   But as with side effects for anything, every person will respond differently. Just because it is a possible side effect doesnt mean you wont be able to have children. I have read many stories of people having children after interferon many of whom posted on this site. Most of those posts were from 2010 and before, because MANY more people actually did the interferon back then.  But wait until you're finished with the interferon, give your body time to recover, and when you are ready, go ahead and try to get pregnant. Just don't get ahead of yourself with worry. One step at a time.

                                      Good luck to you!!

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