Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team \u2014 August 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a safe and effective fertility treatment, it can come with some side effects. One potential side effect is a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Thanks to modern advances in fertility care, the risk of OHSS has dropped a lot. Still, it\u2019s good to know about it during your IVF journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OHSS happens when the ovaries have an excessive response to the medicines used during IVF. These medicines are meant to help your body grow multiple follicles \u2014 small sacs in the ovaries that hold eggs. However, there are times when the response is stronger than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When that happens, the ovaries make very high levels of hormones, and fluid can leak from the blood vessels into the belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With mild to moderate OHSS, symptoms can include bloating or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In severe cases, you would see symptoms such as rapid weight gain, trouble breathing, persistent nausea and vomiting, and blood clots. Moderate to severe OHSS is now extremely rare, thanks to newer medication protocols and improved treatment strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A little hyperstimulation is normal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that IVF is designed to stimulate your ovaries. So, some symptoms such as bloating and discomfort are expected after egg retrieval. This is different from true OHSS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re feeling more than just mild cramping or bloating, you may have mild OHSS. It can make recovery harder, but it\u2019s generally harmless and goes away on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There have been many changes in fertility care to make OHSS uncommon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antagonist medications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These newer medicines help control ovulation more precisely, giving your reproductive endocrinologist (REI) better control over stimulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lupron trigger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Previously used to prevent ovulation, Lupron is now used to trigger egg maturation. It helps hormone levels drop faster than traditional triggers such as high-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), so you start to feel better, sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lower or no hCG trigger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n hCG can keep hormone levels high, which can make OHSS worse. Using less hCG, or skipping it, lowers that risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frozen embryo transfers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before, transferring a fresh embryo right after retrieval could make OHSS symptoms worse, especially if pregnancy occurred. Now, with reliable freezing methods, your REI can freeze all embryos and do the transfer later once your body has had time to recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of all these advances, only 0.02% of IVF cycles now result in moderate to severe OHSS, according to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some factors can make OHSS more likely, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your REI sees that you\u2019re at risk for OHSS, they may adjust your treatment plan. They may try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feeling bloated is very normal after egg retrieval, even if you don\u2019t have OHSS. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you recover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re ever unsure whether your symptoms are normal, it\u2019s always OK to reach out to your fertility care team. They\u2019re there to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Progyny is here for you, too. Please contact your Progyny Care Advocate for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclaimer<\/strong>: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Updated by the Progyny Clinical Team \u2014 August 2025. While in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a safe and effective fertility […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":28830,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[230,257],"tags":[228],"class_list":["post-11846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-fertility-medication","tag-article"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy OHSS is rare now<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who\u2019s at higher risk?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How OHSS can be prevented<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What you can expect after retrieval<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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