Future fertility of women cancer survivors : the progress in fertility preservation

Abstract

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) has devastating implications for the affected female in terms of quality of life, fertility, fecundity and overall well-being. DOR can be exacerbated by the use of chemotherapy and gynaecological surgeries. Analysis of the gonadotoxicity and efficacy of chemotherapeutic regimens currently available and the techniques for gynaecological surgeries, allows for the most appropriate regimen or technique to be selected following a risk-benefit ratio analysis. This should be done in conjunction with fertility preservation strategies including cryopreservation, ovarian transposition and suppression, and pharmacological agents. New approaches using fertoprotective agents need to be evaluated in order to keep up with the demand for oncofertility. This ensures the least possible damage to the ovarian environment and the utmost preservation of the follicular pool.