Gonadotoxic treatment

Gonadotoxic treatment describes chemotherapy, radiotherapy or certain surgeries that can reduce ovarian reserve, damage sperm production, or affect hormone function, sometimes permanently. The degree of risk depends on the specific drugs or radiation dose used, the treatment field, and the person's age at treatment. Wherever possible and safe to delay treatment briefly, discussing fertility preservation options with an oncofertility-aware team before starting gonadotoxic treatment gives the widest range of choices; this is not always possible if cancer treatment is urgent, in which case the oncology team's guidance on timing takes priority.

Also known as: chemotherapy and fertility, radiotherapy and fertility, gonadotoxicity

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.