Some of the drugs used to treat acute myeloid leukaemia can cause temporary or permanent infertility. Your doctor will talk to you about this in more detail before you start your treatment. If you have a partner, you may want them to be with you so you can discuss any fears or worries together.

Some drugs have less effect on your fertility than others, and couples have had normal, healthy babies after one partner has been treated for leukaemia. Unfortunately, people who have had intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, are likely to be permanently infertile.

It may be possible for men to store sperm before starting treatment, so it can be used later if they want to have a family. Rarely, a woman's eggs or fertilised eggs (embryos) can be stored before chemotherapy, so that she may have the chance to have a child after treatment. However, as treatment for AML usually needs to start as quickly as possible, there is not always enough time to store sperm or embryos.

As your doctor knows the details of the treatment you are having, they are the best person to answer your questions. You can write down any questions that you have so you are clear about your treatment, and the effect it is likely to have on you, before it starts.

Coping with infertility

If chemotherapy has made you infertile, it can be very difficult to come to terms with the fact that you can no longer have children. Talking about your feelings with your partner, family or a close friend can help to clarify your thoughts and give the people close to you the opportunity to understand how you are feeling.

If it would be easier to talk to someone outside the circle of your immediate friends and family, you may find it helpful to talk to your doctor, nurse, social worker or a trained counsellor (see organisations). Our cancer support service can give information on how to contact a counsellor in your area.

Our section on sexuality and cancer looks at the effects cancer and its treatment can have on sexuality and fertility. It also suggests ways to keep love and sex alive during this difficult time.