No. It is described across fertility treatment as a rare but treatable side effect of hormone medications. Mild bloating and discomfort during stimulation are common and are not the same as OHSS.

Mild cases are managed with rest, fluids and monitoring. Moderate cases may need closer monitoring and medication adjustment. Severe cases, which are rare, need hospital-based management including fluid drainage.

Can OHSS be prevented?

Risk is reduced by tailoring the medication dose to ovarian reserve and antral follicle count, monitoring closely with scans and blood tests during stimulation, and adjusting or cancelling a cycle where the response is excessive.

Who is at higher risk of OHSS?

Women with PCOS, a high antral follicle count, or a strong response to previous stimulation are at higher risk. This is discussed and planned for before your cycle starts.

Fertility Solutions

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) Monitoring and Treatment

OHSS is a rare but treatable reaction to fertility medication, where the ovaries over-respond to stimulation. Close monitoring during your cycle is designed to catch it early and manage it safely.

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What OHSS is

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is a reaction to the hormone injections used to stimulate the ovaries during IVF or IUI. In most people, stimulation causes mild bloating and cramping as the ovaries produce several follicles. In OHSS, the ovaries over-respond, become enlarged, and fluid can shift out of the bloodstream into the abdomen. It is described as a rare but treatable side effect of hormone medications across fertility treatment.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience rapid weight gain, severe abdominal pain or bloating, persistent vomiting, shortness of breath, a significantly reduced urine output, or dizziness during or after a stimulated cycle. Call the clinic or go to the nearest emergency department without waiting for your next scheduled appointment.

Risk factors

Who is more likely to develop OHSS

PCOS or a high antral follicle count
A strong response to hormone medication in a previous cycle
Younger age with a high ovarian reserve
A large number of follicles developing during stimulation

How risk is managed

Medication dose is set from your AMH result and antral follicle count rather than a standard protocol. Through stimulation, follicle growth and hormone levels are tracked by ultrasound and blood tests every two to three days, and the dose or protocol is adjusted, or the cycle paused, if the response is running ahead of what is safe.

How OHSS is graded and managed
Severity	Typical management
Mild	Rest, fluids and monitoring at home, with a follow-up scan
Moderate	Closer monitoring, medication review, and sometimes a delay to embryo transfer
Severe (rare)	Hospital-based management, which may include fluid drainage and monitoring of blood counts and kidney function

Clinical volume

Treated by Dr. Payal Mahapatra

MBBS, DGO, DNB - OBG, Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine. As of August 2026.

Years Experience

80k

Patients Treated

6.7k

IUI procedures

3.7k

Fertility surgeries

IVF cycles

Deliveries

FAQ

Questions patients ask

OHSS is an uncommon reaction to the hormone injections used to stimulate the ovaries during IVF or IUI, where the ovaries over-respond and become swollen and fluid can shift into the abdomen. Most cases are mild and settle on their own.

Stimulation with close monitoring, not a fixed dose

Your medication dose and response are tracked through the cycle so that risk of OHSS is managed rather than ignored.

Monday to Sunday, 09:30 to 18:30

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