Medical Oncologist
Sex and relationships
Why contraception is essential during treatment
Pregnancy during chemotherapy can seriously harm a developing baby and complicate treatment, and periods stopping does not mean you cannot conceive. Reliable contraception is essential for women having treatment, and for men whose partners could become pregnant, during treatment and for a period afterwards that your team will specify.
NG
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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The short answer
Why must pregnancy be avoided during chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy works by damaging cells that divide quickly, and a developing baby is made of rapidly dividing cells. Pregnancy during treatment, especially in the early months, can cause miscarriage, birth defects or serious harm to the baby. It also complicates cancer care, because some treatments, scans and medicines would have to be changed or delayed. For these reasons, reliable contraception is essential throughout chemotherapy. This applies to women having treatment, and to men having treatment whose partners could become pregnant, because chemotherapy can affect sperm.
This is rarely stated clearly enough. Many women assume they cannot conceive because their periods have become irregular or stopped, but ovulation can still happen without warning. Many couples are too embarrassed to ask. Contraception is also needed for a period after treatment ends, while the body clears the medicines and eggs or sperm recover; the length depends on the medicines used, and your team will tell you. Not every method suits every person: some hormonal methods are unsuitable after hormone-sensitive cancers or with clot risk, so the choice should be made with your team.
Periods stopping is not protection
Women can ovulate and become pregnant even when periods are irregular or absent.
Men need contraception too
Chemotherapy can damage sperm, so men should use condoms and ensure reliable contraception with their partners.
Pregnancy tests may be done
Women who could be pregnant may be asked for a pregnancy test before starting and during treatment.
If you think you might be pregnant during treatment, tell your team straight away. Do not stop treatment without speaking to them.Which methods
Contraception options to discuss with your team
- Condoms
- Protect against pregnancy and also protect a partner from traces of chemotherapy in body fluids. Often used together with another method for extra reliability.
- Copper coil (IUD)
- A long-acting, hormone-free method placed in the womb. Often suitable, but insertion may need to wait when counts are low because of infection and bleeding risk.
- Hormonal coil
- Releases a small amount of hormone locally. It may or may not be suitable depending on your cancer type, so ask your oncologist.
- Contraceptive pills, injections and implants
- Contain hormones and may be unsuitable after hormone-sensitive cancers or with higher clot risk. Vomiting can also stop pills from working.
- Diaphragms and caps
- Barrier methods that are less reliable on their own and may be uncomfortable with dryness.
- Permanent methods
- Sterilisation or vasectomy are options only for people certain they do not want future children, and are usually not decided during treatment.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistStep by step
Planning contraception around treatment
Raise it before treatment starts
Ask your oncologist which methods are safe with your cancer and medicines.
Discuss fertility at the same time
Ask about egg, embryo or sperm storage if you may want children in future.
Start a reliable method
Begin before or at the start of treatment, with a gynaecologist if a coil or implant is chosen.
Use condoms as well after each dose
Condoms protect your partner from medicine traces and add protection against pregnancy.
Ask how long to continue after treatment
Your team will tell you how long to wait before trying for a pregnancy, based on your medicines.
!
Contact your team the same day for any of these
A positive pregnancy test or a missed period you cannot explain during treatment · a split condom or unprotected sex during or soon after treatment · vomiting or diarrhoea while relying on the pill · pain or heavy bleeding after coil insertion · fever after a coil is fitted. Call your chemotherapy helpline, and for severe pain, heavy bleeding or fever go to the nearest emergency department and say clearly that the person is on chemotherapy.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you which contraceptive method is safest for you. That depends on your cancer type, hormone sensitivity, clot risk, blood counts and personal preferences. Your oncologist and gynaecologist should decide with you.
It also cannot tell you how long to continue contraception after treatment. The advised time varies with medicines, and your team will give you a clear answer.
Emergency contraception
If contraception fails, contact your team quickly. Some emergency options may not be suitable after certain cancers, so ask before taking anything.
If pregnancy happens
Your team will discuss the options and risks with you honestly and support whatever decision you make.
Pregnancy found at diagnosis
Some women are diagnosed with cancer while pregnant. Specialist teams can sometimes give certain treatments safely in later pregnancy. This is a different situation needing specialist care.
Religious and family views
Some families have strong views on contraception. Your team can talk through options that respect your beliefs while keeping you and a baby safe.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not advised during chemotherapy because medicines can pass into milk.
Oral chemotherapy counts too
Tablet treatments and many targeted and hormone medicines also require contraception.
Young people and teenagers
Teenagers having treatment should also receive clear, private advice about contraception.
Future pregnancy is often possible
Many people have healthy children after treatment. Planning the timing with your team is what matters.
Coils and low blood counts
If you choose a coil, timing matters. Fitting one when white cells or platelets are very low can raise the risk of infection or bleeding, so your gynaecologist and oncologist may plan it before treatment starts or on a day when counts have recovered.
Condoms every time are simplest
When other methods are not suitable or not yet in place, using condoms correctly every time is a practical option that also protects your partner from traces of medicine.
If you are already on the pill or have a coil
Tell your oncologist about any contraception you already use before treatment starts. Some methods can continue safely, while others may need to change because of your cancer type, clot risk, vomiting or planned surgery. Do not stop an existing method until you have agreed a replacement, so there is no gap in protection.
Contraception and hormone-sensitive cancers
After breast cancer and some other hormone-sensitive cancers, hormone-containing methods are usually avoided. Non-hormonal choices, such as condoms and the copper coil, are often recommended instead. Your oncologist and gynaecologist will advise on what is right for you.
Planning a family after treatment
When you are ready to think about pregnancy after treatment, talk to your oncologist first. They can advise on timing, any checks needed beforehand, and whether fertility tests or specialist support would help.
What to do next
Ask your oncologist which contraception is safe for you before treatment starts, use a reliable method plus condoms after each dose, discuss fertility preservation, ask how long to continue after treatment, and tell your team immediately if contraception fails or you might be pregnant.
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Commonly believed
Four beliefs about contraception during treatment
"Chemotherapy makes you infertile, so contraception is not needed."
Pregnancy is still possible during treatment. Contraception is essential.
"Only women need to think about contraception."
Men on chemotherapy should also use condoms and ensure reliable contraception.
"Any contraceptive pill is fine."
Hormonal methods are not suitable after some cancers or with clot risk. Ask your team.
"Once treatment ends, pregnancy is immediately safe."
A waiting period is usually advised. Your team will tell you how long.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about contraception and chemotherapy
Why is contraception essential during chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy can seriously harm a developing baby and complicate cancer treatment. Pregnancy must be avoided.
Which contraception methods are suitable?
Condoms and the copper coil are often suitable. Hormonal methods depend on your cancer type. Your team will advise.
How long after chemotherapy should I use contraception?
It depends on your medicines. Your team will tell you how long to wait before trying for a pregnancy.
Can I get pregnant if my periods have stopped?
Yes. Ovulation can still happen without warning.
Do men need to use contraception?
Yes. Chemotherapy can affect sperm, and condoms protect partners from medicine traces.
What if my condom breaks?
Contact your team promptly to discuss emergency options that are safe for you.
Can I breastfeed during chemotherapy?
No. Medicines can pass into breast milk. Talk to your team about feeding options.
Can I have children after treatment?
Often yes. Ask about fertility preservation before treatment and plan timing with your team.
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Sources
- Cancer Research UK — Sex and chemotherapy
- American Cancer Society — Sex and the Woman With Cancer
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Sex and relationships
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
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