It’s one of the first things Egg Donors hear when they start looking into egg donation – one of the main side effects of donation is OHSS. Watch out for OHSS. They’ll be at risk for OHSS. But what exactly is OHSS?
OHSS is Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome. It occurs when the ovaries are overstimulated with fertility medications and become swollen, releasing hormones that cause fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity. OHSS is an excess build-up of fluid around the internal organs. There are three different severities of OHSS; mild, moderate, and severe.
What does mild, moderate, and severe mean?
Very mild OHSS involves minor bloating due to slightly enlarged ovaries and a small amount of fluid in the abdomen. Recovery is quick and relatively painless; treatment is simply rest and salty fluids (like soup broth and Gatorade) to reduce bloating. Mild OHSS resolves on its own in under a week; usually just a few days.
Moderate OHSS is much less common. It involves more fluid in the abdomen and more swollen ovaries than mild OHSS and takes longer to recover from; about two weeks, instead of a few days. Draining of the fluid in the abdomen is occasionally required.
In severe OHSS, there is so much fluid around the ovaries and other internal organs that organ function is impacted. Signs of severe OHSS include major weight gain after the retrieval procedure, difficulty eating and going to the bathroom, high fever, and issues with breathing. Severe OHSS requires hospitalization, and OHSS can have lasting effects on the body. In very rare cases where no medical attention is given, it can result in organ failure or death. Treatment can include procedures to drain the fluid in the abdomen, or IV fluids to reduce bloating, as well as extremely close monitoring.
So How Likely Is OHSS?
Very mild OHSS is fairly common after an egg retrieval, but only takes a few days to recover from and does not require medical intervention; Gatorade and other electrolyte drinks, and salty broths, are recommended to reduce bloating. Moderate OHSS is much less common. Only 3-5 percent of egg retrievals result in moderate OHSS. Severe OHSS is even less common; less than 1 percent of egg retrievals resulting in severe OHSS.
How Can I Be Sure I Won’t Get OHSS?
Unfortunately, there are many risk factors that contribute to OHSS and it is impossible for a doctor to guarantee than an Egg Donor will not get OHSS. However, OHSS is much less likely to occur with more moderate, conservative stimulation and careful monitoring of hormone levels throughout the donation cycle. There are also medications that can be prescribed after the retrieval to lower the risk of developing OHSS. If these medications are prescribed, it is vital to take them as directed by your doctor, and complete the entire course of medications.
At Fertility Match, we work to minimize the risk of OHSS for our Donors as much as we possibly can. We only work with conservative clinics that we trust, who are using the most up-to-date medical technology and knowledge in their stimulation procedures. Of all of our previous Egg Donors, only two have experienced moderate OHSS, and none have experienced severe OHSS. While there is no way to guarantee a Donor will not experience OHSS, we make sure that the risk is a low as possible. In addition, there is an extra allowance for reimbursable expenses (with receipts) for a Donor who is diagnosed with OHSS, to ensure that they do not have to worry about extra expenses after their donation resulting from OHSS.
We’re here for you. If you have any questions or concerns about OHSS, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
