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The Effects of Radiation on Reproduction in Women

Women who are exposed to radiation during diagnostic procedures or who must undergo radioactive therapy in the treatment of cancer and other illnesses may fear the long-term effects on their health. For women of child-bearing age, the potential negative effects of radiation exposure on the reproductive system can be life-changing.

  1. What Is Radiation?

    • Radiation is produced by X-ray machines, radioactive isotopes and radiation therapy machines. High energy radiation can be used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. External-beam radiation therapy comes from outside the body, while internal radiation therapy comes from radioactive materials that are placed inside the body in the treatment of cancer. Irradiation, or radiotherapy, is systematic radiation treatment in which a radioactive substance travels in the blood tissues throughout the body.

    Side Effects

    • Although lead shielding may be used during external beam radiation therapy of the hip, pelvis, femur and bladder, there may be scattered radiation that can affect the female reproductive organs. The main side effect of radiation therapy is temporary or permanent female sterility. According to RadiationAnswers.org, women who do not suffer from sterility after radiation and are able to conceive are not at a significantly increased risk of having a child with birth defects.

    Genetic Effects

    • Exposure to radiation can result in changes in DNA, also referred to as radiation-induced mutations. A germline-mutation, or inheritable genetic effect, occurs when the DNA of a reproductive cell of an egg or sperm are damaged. This mutation can also be radiation-induced and can result in health problems such as miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital defects, premature death, chromosomal abnormalities and cancer later in life.

    Prevention

    • While complete prevention of radiation exposure is unavoidable, women who must undergo diagnostic X-rays that will involve direct external radiation exposure to the ovaries should consult with a radiologist regarding the estimated amount of exposure that will occur during the procedure. The minimal amount of radiographs should be administered to reduce radiation exposure. During most diagnostic procedures, the amount of radiation exposure is less than 5 rad, which does not pose any risk to the patient.

    Fertility Preservation

    • Women who are required to have radiation therapy for cancer treatment or radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism should discuss possible reproductive side effects thoroughly with their doctor. Egg harvesting and cryopreservation before treatment begins may be an option, but it depends on the individual clinical circumstance. Another option is ovarian transposition, a surgical procedure in which the ovaries are moved laterally to avoid radiation exposure and then repositioned once therapy has concluded. A woman who must undergo pelvic radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease or other gynecological malignancies may be a good candidate for the laparoscopic procedure.

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