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What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)?

In order to prepare the woman for the IVF procedure a range of medication usually needs to be taken. Most women do not have any problems with the medication but in rare cases ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome can occur. This occurs when the ovaries enlarge through the creation of too many follicles.
Mild OHSS does not pose great dangers to health, although uncomfortable symptoms can occur, such as abdominal swelling or small ovarial cysts.
More complicated cases of OHSS affects about 2% of women taking fertility medication. It can lead to a enhancement of the ovaries to 10 cm and liquid can build up in the stomach and flow back to the chest.
Symptoms of a severe case of OHSS are nausea, heavy stomach pain and being short of breath. Women affected by severe OHSS need to be treated in hospital. If symptoms occur it usually takes place 3-5 days after the egg collection.


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