Talking to your care team about fertility and baby planning

Asking the right questions, at the right time

Going through testicular cancer can be a stressful and worrying journey. That’s why it’s so important to make your voice heard and get all your questions answered. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or specialist — whomever you feel comfortable with. Generally, they’ll be happy to answer any and all questions you might have. And you’re probably not going to ask anything they haven’t heard already. Remember, it’s your future and planning ahead helps you prepare for it as much as possible.

Some of the biggest decisions you’ll face will be around fertility and the best time to speak about this is before treatment. But if you’re past that point, it’s not too late to talk to your team. You may still have options to explore.

To get you started, we’ve made a list of important questions to ask below. This probably isn’t everything you have on your mind, so feel free to add whatever else you might be interested in. Share these questions with your team, so they can understand your wishes better and help you make the right choices for you.

Important questions to ask your team

• What can I do to protect my fertility?

• How much time do I have before I start treatment?

• What are the risks of infertility with my treatment plan?

• What happens if I delay treatment to bank sperm?

• What can I do during treatment to protect my fertility?

• Who can I talk to about my fertility options?

• For how long do I need to use condoms or contraception after my treatment finishes?

• Can you refer me to a sperm bank or fertility clinic?

• How will I know if my fertility returns after treatment?

And don’t hesitate to open up about sex:

• Is it safe to have sex during my treatment?

• Will my sex drive change?

• What can I do to enhance my sex drive?

Remember these questions are just some of the things you may ask your care team. The most important thing is you've taken a huge step and started the conversation. Great work.