Hello, lovely ladies! Ever heard of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome or OHSS? It's not a common topic, but it's essential, especially for those undergoing fertility treatments. Let's explore OHSS more in this Fitie article.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) occurs when the ovaries swell and release fluid into the body. This condition is often associated with fertility treatments aiming to stimulate ovaries to produce more eggs, like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although cases of spontaneous OHSS are rare, it's more prevalent in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) undergoing fertility treatments.
Symptoms
Women undergoing fertility treatments may experience OHSS due to medications promoting egg production. Symptoms include:
- Stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting
- Swelling (ascites)
- Acute stomach ache
- Low blood pressure and/or low blood volume
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
- Rare instances of electrolyte imbalance or acute kidney failure
One of the symptoms of OHSS is nausea and/or vomiting
Classification
OHSS is classified based on severity:
1. Mild OHSS
- Grade 1: Bloated and uncomfortable stomach
- Grade 2: Grade 1 symptoms plus nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, along with ovarian enlargement from 5 to 12 cm
2. Moderate OHSS
- Grade 3: Mild OHSS symptoms plus ultrasound evidence of ascites
3. Severe OHSS
- Grade 4: Signs of moderate OHSS, clinical evidence of ascites and/or hydrothorax, and difficulty breathing
- Grade 5: All characteristics of grades 1-4, along with changes in blood volume, increased blood viscosity, coagulation disorders, and kidney problems
Causes
Elevated hCG hormone levels primarily cause OHSS after fertility treatments. In rare cases, genetic mutations in hormone receptors may contribute.
OHSS is caused by an excessive increase in hCG hormone levels during fertility treatment procedures
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose OHSS through physical examinations, ultrasounds to measure ovarian size and fluid presence, chest X-rays for chest fluid, and blood tests to assess hormone levels.
Treatment
Treatment depends on symptom severity. For mild to moderate cases, self-care includes avoiding heavy physical activity, increasing fluid intake, taking acetaminophen, monitoring weight daily, and staying alert to other symptoms. Severe cases may require adjusting fertility drug doses, intravenous fluid infusion, embryo freezing, paracentesis to remove stomach fluid, and symptom-relief medications.
So, OHSS occurs due to increased hormone levels during fertility treatments, affecting women with conditions like PCOS. To all the incredible ladies on their fertility journey, keep the spirit high! Dive into more women's health articles at Fitie!