The short answer
Fertility and sexual health are important parts of cancer care, but they are not always raised for you — sometimes you need to start the conversation. Making a list of questions helps. This page gathers questions to ask before, during, and after treatment, and describes the specialists and support that can help.
Your team may raise fertility and sexual health, or you may need to start the conversation.
Bringing a written list of questions helps you cover what matters.
Ask about fertility before treatment, when the most options are open.
Ask about sexual health during treatment, including protection and contraception.
Choose how you want to understand this
The full explanation.
Why speaking up matters
Fertility and sexual health are important parts of life, but they are not always raised for you during cancer care. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), your doctor or nurse may bring up these topics — or you may need to start the conversation yourself. Being proactive helps make sure your questions get answered.
NCI also notes that research found survivors felt less regret when they had met with a fertility specialist, whether or not they went on to preserve their fertility. That is one reason it helps to raise these topics early.
Make a list of questions
A written list helps you remember what to ask and makes conversations easier. You can add questions as you think of them and bring the list to appointments. It can also help to bring a partner or a trusted person with you.
Questions to ask before treatment
- Could the recommended treatment affect my fertility? Are there options that might cause fewer fertility problems?
- Can you refer me to a fertility specialist, such as a reproductive endocrinologist, before treatment?
- Which fertility preservation methods might fit me, and what is available here or at a fertility clinic?
- Who can help me understand insurance and cost?
- What method of birth control or protection should I use during treatment?
Questions to ask during treatment
- What sexual changes or problems are common with this treatment?
- When might these changes happen, and how long might they last?
- How can these problems be prevented, treated, or managed?
- Are there times when I should avoid sexual activity — for example, when the risk of infection or bleeding is higher?
- Should my partner and I use a condom or contraception?
Questions to ask after treatment
- What are the chances that people who have this treatment are fertile or can become pregnant afterward?
- If changes are temporary, how long might fertility take to return?
- Should I keep using birth control, and for how long?
- What follow-up care is recommended?
Who can help
Beyond your oncologist, several people can help. A urologist or sexual health expert can advise on sexual health concerns. A fertility specialist can explain fertility options. A social worker or patient navigator can help with resources, insurance, and cost. Professionally led support groups and counselors can help you and your partner cope. Your care team can connect you with the right people for your situation.
Sources
Words to know
Tap any term to see what it means.
Common questions
How do I bring up fertility or sex with my cancer team?
You can say directly that you want to discuss fertility or sexual health. NCI notes that doctors or nurses may raise these topics, but sometimes you need to be the one to start the conversation. A written list of questions can make it easier.
When should I ask about fertility?
As early as possible, before treatment. The most effective steps to protect fertility usually happen before treatment starts, so asking early keeps more options open.
Why see a fertility specialist?
A fertility specialist, such as a reproductive endocrinologist, can explain all of your options. NCI notes research found that survivors felt less regret when they had met with a fertility specialist, whether or not they chose to preserve fertility.
Who can help besides my oncologist?
Depending on your needs, a urologist, a sexual health expert, a social worker, and patient navigator programs can help, as can professionally led support groups and counselors.
What should I ask after treatment?
Ask about the chances of being fertile or becoming pregnant, how long fertility might take to return if changes are temporary, whether to keep using birth control, and what follow-up care is recommended.
Questions to ask your doctor
Being prepared helps you get the most out of your appointments. Save or print these questions.
Tap a question to save it to your list (kept on this device).
Speak With Trained Specialists & Human Navigators
Cancer Explained provides educational guidance, but does not replace trained specialists, social workers, or your medical team.
Talk to a trained cancer information specialist
Free, confidential assistance from NCI Cancer Information Service via phone, chat, or email.
Contact your oncology team
Locate after-hours contact numbers, portal messages, or urgent triage phone lines.
Find a patient navigator
Get one-on-one help with appointments, logistics, translation, and care coordination.
Find a genetic counselor
Discuss inherited mutation risk, family history, and genetic testing options.
Find an oncology social worker
Access emotional counseling, family support groups, and mental health resources.
Find a financial navigator
Locate copay assistance foundations, grant programs, and lodging/travel support.
Find a clinical-trial specialist
Search matching studies and speak with NCI trial information specialists.
Get urgent help
Immediate emergency guidance for fever (>100.4°F during chemo), severe pain, or shortness of breath.
Help Us Improve This Guide
Did this explanation answer your question and help you determine your next step?
Know someone who needs this?
Plenty of people are looking for something like this and do not know where to start. If this would help a friend or someone you love, send it on — we have written an opening line so you do not have to stare at an empty message. You can change every word of it.
Your message is written and sent in your own email or messaging app — we never see who you send it to, and nothing is added to any list.
Knowledge Check
0 of 4 answered
This self-assessment checks understanding of educational content only. It is not medical advice.
Plain-language explanation of the published sources cited on this page. AI-assisted, source-checked, not clinician-reviewed.
Sources last checked: 2026-08-13 what this meansLast updated: 2026-08-17Next planned review: 2028-07-14
How this page was created
Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes. We do not employ clinicians and do not intend to — our work is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status — Source checked. This page was written with AI assistance and checked line by line against the sources listed on it. That confirms the sources support what the page says. It is not a medical review, and it does not confirm the page is complete or right for your situation.
General education — varies by person. Answers genuinely differ between people. This page explains what commonly varies and points you to your care team for your situation.
Human medical review: not completed. Pages here are not signed off by a clinician before they publish. That is not an oversight we are quietly working around: we restate published guidance and cite it, so the authority belongs to the source rather than to us, and every page names where its claims come from — you can verify us instead of trusting us. Where a volunteer clinician has reviewed a page, their name and credentials appear on it; where no name appears, no clinician has checked it. We are glad to have reviewers and are recruiting them, and we do not hold pages back waiting for one. Use this site to understand your situation and to ask better questions of the people treating you.
How this page was created
Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes. We do not employ clinicians and do not intend to — our work is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Source checked — This page was written with AI assistance and checked line by line against the sources listed on it. That confirms the sources support what the page says. It is not a medical review, and it does not confirm the page is complete or right for your situation.
Human medical review: not completed. Pages here are not signed off by a clinician before they publish. That is not an oversight we are quietly working around: we restate published guidance and cite it, so the authority belongs to the source rather than to us, and every page names where its claims come from — you can verify us instead of trusting us. Where a volunteer clinician has reviewed a page, their name and credentials appear on it; where no name appears, no clinician has checked it. We are glad to have reviewers and are recruiting them, and we do not hold pages back waiting for one. Use this site to understand your situation and to ask better questions of the people treating you.
Read more about our editorial process, our use of AI, and our corrections policy.
Spotted a problem? Report an error — a factual mistake, broken or outdated source, confusing wording, or anything that seems unsafe. Please do not include names, medical record numbers, dates of birth, addresses, or other identifying medical information in your report.
After using this page, do you understand what to do next?
Anonymous — we only record the answer, never who gave it.
Related articles
Still have questions?
Educational answers, plain language
Free to print and share