Pregnancy After Zoladex | Is It Safe To Get Pregnant?

If you’ve had to have Zoladex for any reason, you’ve probably had a tough run lately.

It’s totally understandable if pregnancy after Zoladex has been on your mind. We have outlined some important facts to give you an idea of what your options are.

What is the Zoladex injection?

The drug Zoladex has the generic name goserelin and is a drug used to suppress the production of sex hormones.

It is used as chemotherapy treatment for prostate and breast cancer and is injectable. Its effect is to help slow or stop the growth of certain cancer cells and uterine tissue that need sex hormones in order to grow and spread.

Zolaex is also known to be widely used for the treatment of endometriosis.

You can find out more by reading Safety and Efficacy | Zoladex® (goserelin implant)

Natural Pregnancy after Zoladex injection

If you think you might be pregnant you are advised not to take Zoladex. Zoladex is a category X drug and this medicine can cause babies to have problems at birth, due to birth defects.

Zoladex can help with fertility by preventing ovulation and therefore preserving eggs if a woman is in cancer treatment.

If you’re close to menopause age Zoladex can bring about menopause because of hormone reduction.

Once you stop the Zoladex, you might start to produce eggs again. Some women might not, however, and the premature menopause will be permanent, leading to infertility.

How long after Zoladex do periods return?

You might decide that you don’t want to take the Zoladex any longer because of harsh early menopause symptoms.

If this is the case, your period could return within 12 weeks of having your last injection of Zoladex.

Young women who have been on Zoladex treatment might be particularly keen for their periods to return because they want to get pregnant.

Can you ovulate on Zoladex?

Ovulation doesn’t occur when you take Zoladex as this gonadotropin-releasing hormone blocks the ovaries from releasing eggs.

If you are not trying to get pregnant, however, it’s still recommended that you take contraception.

What happens when I stop Zoladex?

It could take up to 12 months for your body to get over the Zoladex treatment once you come to the conclusion of your treatment.

When you have finished your treatment, if you are near the age when menopause might occur naturally you might not ovulate again.

In most women, the estrogen produced by the ovaries will return to normal.

Recommended readings:

Life After Menopause | What You Could Expect

Menopause | Symptoms, Signs, and Treatments

Can you drink alcohol with Zoladex?

According to most researchers, drinking alcohol should be avoided when using the Zoladex injection.

This advice is given because of the high risk of bone density loss.

Smoking is also to be avoided while taking Zoladex because of the increased risk of heart conditions, bone density loss, and possible stroke.

Always speak with your family doctor and discuss any concerns you have. Make sure you have all the information to make an informed decision about beginning treatment.

You might be interested in the Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions of Zoladex.

Chances of getting pregnant on Zoladex

There is always a chance you could get pregnant when using the Zoladex implant.

If you think there is a possibility of pregnancy, especially in the first few weeks when your periods are irregular or have stopped, seek medical attention and stop taking the medication.

Female fertility and cancer treatments | Cancer Council Victoria have a good easy to follow website with more information.