What Is Ovarian Hyperstimulation?
Ovarian hyperstimulation is a complication that can occur after taking fertility medication to boost your egg production. It affects about 1 out of every 10 women who undergo IVF. What happens is that the ovaries become overstimulated and extremely swollen, absorbing water from the bloodstream. Most of the time symptoms are relatively mild, including abdominal pain and bloating and sudden weight gain. Occasionally, though, it can be more serious, causing ovaries to swell up to the size of grapefruit and creating severe pain, shortness of breath and decreased urine output. There’s not a lot of treatment options available, beyond drinking plenty of fluids, keeping your legs elevated and taking a mild pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol). More severe cases may require hospitalization to monitor your breathing and comfort. Eventually, the ovaries will return to their normal size, in about a week if you’re not pregnant and up to a month if you do conceive.
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