Some people will need fertility treatment to be able to start a pregnancy - This may not be a straightforward decision for everyone.

Sometimes moral, cultural or religious views about fertility treatment can make the decision complicated.

Starting a pregnancy with fertility treatment can be an option for:

• single people
• straight couples
• same-sex couples
• people of all gender identities.

Options for becoming a parent could include fertility treatment, using a surrogate, or an egg or sperm donor. Fostering and adoption are also things you could consider when it feels right for you.

For more information about family planning and fertility treatments please follow the links below

The reproductive system | Macmillan Cancer Support

Fertility treatments and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

Not everyone is sure if they want children. But if you have already been told you are infertile, having the choice taken away can be very difficult to cope with.

People might react in different ways. It can be devastating if you wanted to have a child, or wanted more children. Some people are able to accept it and feel that coping with cancer is more important. Others seem to accept the news calmly when they start treatment. But find it hits them later when the treatment is over.

You may feel you have lost a part of yourself and are less feminine if you can't have children. You may be very sad or angry that the treatment has caused changes to your body. This can affect your self confidence.

For more support with the emotional impact of infertility, you may want to explore having counselling, you could access counselling by visiting your GP or following the below link to find your local NHS talking therapy service and self refer:

Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression - NHS

Otherwise, for more online support, please click the below link:

Coping Strategies | Fertility Network

Please see the link below for other online sources of support:

• The Daisy Network – a support group for women with premature ovarian failure
• HealthTalk – information about early menopause, including women talking about their own experiences
• Fertility friends – a support network for people with fertility problems
• Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) – information on all types of fertility treatment
• Adoption UK – a charity for people adopting children
• Surrogacy UK – a charity that supports surrogates and parents
• Trekstock – offers a five-week Navigating Menopause course