Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is the result of excessive stimulation of the eggs (follicles) in the ovary with injectable fertility hormones. This usually effects women undergoing IVF treatments but there are also cases occurring in superovulation intrauterine insemination (SOIUI) patients although much less common.
This overdose of hormones causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort / bloating and can be accompanied with weight gain of even up to 3 kg. In most of these mild to moderate cases, they can be safely managed and monitored on an outpatient basis.
In severe OHSS, the abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are more intense and this is often accompanied with decrease urination, a very distended abdomen filled with fluid (ascites) and even shortness of breath as a result of a build up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema).
The blood becomes more heamoconcentrated as a result of the fluid shift from blood vessels into the abdomen and lungs. There is a risk of blood clots developing in the legs (deep vein thrombosis). These are all potentially life-threatening conditions and patients will need to be hospitalized.
