Ovarian suppression is used to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.
Before menopause, women produce most of their estrogen in the ovaries. For premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, it is beneficial to stop the ovaries from producing estrogen.
With lower levels of estrogen in the body overall, there is less estrogen available to bind to the estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. This helps to slow the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer.
Treatment types and effects on fertility
Ovarian suppression (also called ovarian ablation) refers to any treatment given to stop the ovaries from producing estrogen. The treatment can be done with surgery to remove the ovaries (called an oophorectomy), radiation treatment to the ovaries or medication.
It is important to note that surgery and radiation therapy suppress the ovaries permanently, and becoming pregnant will not be possible after these treatments. The effects of medication may be reversible in some cases.
Ask your health care team about the benefits, limitations and possible side effects of aromatase inhibitors, including their effect on fertility, to help you make an informed decision about your treatment.
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