Ovarian hyper-stimulation (OHSS)is a dreaded complication which occurs due to the use of fertility enhancing injections in women suffering from Polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS).Lot of women also know PCOS as PCOD(Polycystic ovarian disease). These injections are commonly used to help a women form an egg so she can conceive while undergoing treatments like IVF (test tube baby) for infertility.
All women with polycystic ovaries and undergoing treatment with fertility injections should be aware that ovarian hyper-stimulation may occur and they should know about the symptoms of OHSS. The symptoms of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome vary according to the severity of condition.
In mild cases, there can be abdominal bloating, nausea and some swelling in the abdomen. This may progress to pain in the tummy and frank vomiting. In severe cases there is dehydration, extreme thirst, dark urination, difficulty in breathing due to fluid collection in the lungs and tendency to leg clots. If you have received treatment with these injections and feel the above symptoms you must proceed for a check-up with your doctor.
These drugs normally stimulate the ovary to produce higher number of egg follicles. The cause of ovarian hyper-stimulation is thought to be an excessive response to these drugs producing a higher number of egg containing follicles and an increase in the size of ovaries. These enlarged ovaries release chemicals that make our blood vessels leaky and release fluid into different body cavities like abdomen, lungs etc. The process can affect mainly our lungs, kidneys and liver but may also rarely cause blood clots in the legs (DVT). Very severe cases have been reported to cause maternal deaths also and it is important to seek help in time.
Mild hyper-stimulation is a common occurrence especially in women undergoing IVF and happens in approx 30% of all women. Severe OHSS on the other hand is rare and happens only in five percent women. Your chances of getting ovarian hyper stimulation are higher if you have polycystic ovaries, or if you are less than 30 years of age, or have had OHSS previously or are pregnant with multiple pregnancies (like twins or triplets). To be continued…