(OHSS, Extensive (hyper) stimulation of the ovaries)
OHSS is a condition which may happen during IVF (In vitro fertilization) or intrauterine insemination (iui) treatment when the ovaries over react to medication for ovulation induction.
What does the intensity of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome depend on?
The intensity of OHSS is in direct proportion with the number of follicles grown and estradiol hormone levels in the serum.
How can ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome intensity be classified?
OHSS can be divided into three groups: mild, moderate and severe.
Mild and Moderate OHSS:
In mild and moderate OHSS cases, abdominal bloating, enlarging of the ovaries, sickness, weight gain and abdominal discomfort can be experienced. They are observed in about 10% of cases.
Severe OHSS:
In severe OHSS, bloating is extreme, there is severe abdominal pain, extensive weight gain, shortness of breath, decrease in the amount of urine, sickness and vomiting. They are observed in 2% of cases. In such cases, close monitoring and for some treatments, usually, hospitalizing might be required. This type is mostly observed when there is pregnancy and sometimes healing might take longer than anticipated. During IVF treatment, especially with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), because the ovaries are exceptionally sensitive and because their stimulation can be very fast, the doses of medication should be prepared with utmost care. Frequent “estradiol (E2)” tests and ultrasound scans during ovulation induction mainly aim to prevent severe OHSS. However, because response to fertility/reproductive aid medication differs from one person to the other, the risk of OHSS cannot be fully terminated despite close watch.