Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

[one_half last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””] What is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome?
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an excessive response to taking the medicines (especially injectable gonadotropins) used to make eggs grow. Rarely, OHSS can result from taking other medications, such as clomiphene citrate or gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
Women with OHSS have a large number of growing follicles along with high estradiol levels. This leads to fluid leaking into the abdomen (belly), which can cause bloating, nausea, and swelling of the abdomen. When OHSS is severe, blood clots, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, dehydration, and vomiting are possible. Rare deaths are reported.
How severe can OHSS get?
OHSS can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. One out of three women has symptoms of mild OHSS during controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). These symptoms may include mild abdominal bloating, nausea, and weight gain due to fluid. Women with moderate OHSS typically have more of these same symptoms. Women with severe OHSS usually have vomiting and cannot keep down liquids. They experience significant discomfort from swelling of the abdomen. They can develop shortness of breath, and blood clots can form in the legs.
In all cases of OHSS, the ovaries are enlarged. The size of the ovary is a marker of the degree of OHSS. If symptoms are present, a transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound can be done to measure ovary size and the amount of fluid collected.
How is OHSS treated?
OHSS can be serious, so careful monitoring and managing the symptoms are important whenever it occurs. Office visits for ultrasound exams to measure the ovaries and fluid in the abdomen, and blood tests, are routinely done. Decreased activity and drinking lots of electrolyte-rich fluids (over 120 ounces per day) are recommended. Medicines for nausea are available. If there is fluid in the abdomen, drainage of fluid using a syringe (paracentesis) can provide significant relief in most cases. On occasion, more than one drainage is helpful. A medicine called cabergoline also can reduce the fluid accumulation. There is rarely a need for hospitalization.
If Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome does not improve with outpatient care, the woman may be treated in the hospital with close monitoring. The doctor may order intravenous (IV) fluids and medicines for nausea and may remove fluid from the abdomen. Other supportive therapy may be given as needed.
What other complications occur with severe OHSS?
Complications from Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can be severe. You may become dehydrated and pressure in your abdomen may increase from too much fluid. These problems can lead to blood clots forming within the blood vessels. Blood clots can travel to your lungs or to other important organs. This can be potentially life-threatening.
These complications can usually be avoided by recognizing the signs, symptoms, and laboratory evidence that OHSS is getting worse and getting appropriate treatment.[/one_half][one_half last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” class=”” id=””] How long does it take for Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome to get better?
OHSS symptoms usually appear a few days after ovulation. Symptoms usually resolve within two weeks, unless pregnancy occurs. Pregnant women often continue to have symptoms for 2-3 weeks or more after a positive pregnancy test. The symptoms gradually go away, and the rest of the pregnancy is not affected.
Is there anything that can reduce the risk of having OHSS?
There are several strategies used to lower the risk of OHSS. Reducing the dose of ovarian stimulation medications may reduce the risk of OHSS. Use of a medicine called leuprolide instead of human chorionic gonadotripin (hCG) to prepare the eggs for release can prevent OHSS. Another medicine called cabergoline also can help reduce the fluid accumulation.
Pregnancy can make Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome worse or last longer. If a woman develops OHSS, avoiding immediate pregnancy by freezing her eggs/embryos for transfer at a later time can help the OHSS resolve more quickly and keep it from progressing.
Some patients who are at high risk for OHSS may be given extra IV fluids at the time of egg retrieval. Giving IV fluids early can help prevent worsening of symptoms later on.
Important Points
• OHSS is relatively common after ovulation induction or ovarian stimulation for IVF.
• Women with symptoms of OHSS should see a doctor familiar with assisted reproduction as soon as they have symptoms.
• A standard pelvic exam is NOT generally recommended because the ovaries are enlarged and the cysts that are present may burst under pressure.
• Women should notify their doctor when they have:
• Difficulty breathing
• Continued vomiting or nausea
• Difficulty tolerating fluids
• Abdominal swelling
• Decreased urination
• Weight gain of over 3 pounds in 2 days
• Sudden onset of abdominal pain
• Other symptoms such as facial numbness, weakness, lower extremity swelling, or redness
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome often can be managed with decreased activity, drinking electrolyte-rich fluids, draining fluid that accumulates in the abdomen, medication for nausea and pain, careful monitoring, and frequent doctor visits.
• Severe OHSS (continued vomiting, severe swelling of the abdomen, shortness of breath, inability to drink fluids or abnormal laboratory results) may require hospitalization for intensive monitoring and treatment. The risk of Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can be reduced by use of lower doses of gonadotropins, leuprolide (vs. hCG) to trigger ovulation, and cabergoline.
Revised 2014

For more information on this and other reproductive

health topics, visit www.ReproductiveFacts.org

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