Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a condition that can occur in women undergoing fertility treatments that stimulate egg production, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ovulation induction with injectable medications. OHSS causes the ovaries to swell and leak fluid into the body, which can be painful and potentially serious.
OHSS is caused by high levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) following fertility treatments that stimulate the production of many eggs at one time, as is done with many IVF protocols. In very rare cases, patients have genetic mutations in certain hormone receptors that predispose them to developing OHSS even without hormonal treatments.
Symptoms of OHSS can range from mild to severe and may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. To decrease the chances of developing OHSS, an individualized plan for fertility medications is needed, and health care providers should carefully monitor each treatment cycle, including frequent ultrasounds to check the development of follicles and blood tests to check hormone levels. Strategies to help prevent OHSS include adjusting the dose of fertility medication, receiving intravenous fluids, and freezing embryos[[2]](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/179...
