Cancer Australia

Treatment for ovarian cancer can affect a woman’s ability to have children.If a woman who has not yet gone through menopause has both ovaries removed, she will no longer be able to have children naturally after treatment. If surgery involves removing the uterus, the woman will no longer be able to have children at all.

If ovarian cancer has not spread or if it’s found to be a borderline tumour (a type of less aggressive ovarian cancer), it may be possible to just remove only the affected ovary, leaving the other ovary and the uterus. This means that a woman may still fall pregnant after surgery.


Some women need chemotherapy following surgery. When an ovary remains after surgery, having chemotherapy can mean that a woman goes through menopause early. Women who have gone through menopause are no longer able to become pregnant.

Women who were planning to have children before their ovarian cancer diagnosis should speak to their oncologist before starting treatment for ovarian cancer. It may be possible to see a fertility specialist to discuss the available options.