Overview
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a medical condition that can happen when a woman's ovaries overreact to fertility medications used during treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization). These medications are designed to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs, but sometimes the ovaries respond too strongly, causing them to swell and leak fluid into the belly and chest. This can range from mild discomfort to a serious, life-threatening condition. In mild cases, women may feel bloated, nauseous, or have some pelvic pain. In severe cases, large amounts of fluid can build up in the abdomen and lungs, the blood can become thicker and more prone to clotting, and the kidneys may be affected. Severe OHSS can lead to dangerous blood clots, kidney failure, or breathing problems. Most cases of OHSS are mild and get better on their own within one to two weeks. Severe cases require hospital care, including fluids given through a vein, draining excess fluid, and close monitoring. Women who become pregnant during a cycle where OHSS develops may have symptoms that last longer. With proper medical care, most women recover fully. Doctors now use careful monitoring and adjusted medication doses to reduce the risk of OHSS during fertility treatments.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Bloating and swollen bellyPelvic or abdominal pain or discomfortNausea and vomitingDiarrheaRapid weight gain (more than 2 pounds in 24 hours)Decreased urinationShortness of breath or difficulty breathingTight or uncomfortable feeling in the abdomenLeg pain or swelling (possible sign of blood clot)Dizziness or lightheadednessFeeling very thirsty despite drinking fluidsDark-colored urine
Clinical phenotype terms (17)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsAmerican Hospital 2 Kosovo — PHASE3
Tanta University — PHASE2
University of Luebeck
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Real-world Evidence on Follitropin Delta Individual Dosing
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
New recruiting trial: Clinical Study to Evaluate Efficacy of Cabergoline to Coasting in Reducing the Incidence of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is my personal risk level for developing OHSS based on my health history and test results?,What symptoms should make me call you immediately or go to the emergency room?,Should I weigh myself every day, and what weight gain should concern me?,Will having OHSS affect my chances of getting pregnant or my future fertility?,Can we adjust my medication protocol in future cycles to lower my risk of OHSS?,Is a freeze-all embryo strategy recommended for me to reduce OHSS risk?,How long should I expect to feel unwell, and when can I return to normal activities?
Common questions about Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
What is Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome?
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a medical condition that can happen when a woman's ovaries overreact to fertility medications used during treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization). These medications are designed to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs, but sometimes the ovaries respond too strongly, causing them to swell and leak fluid into the belly and chest. This can range from mild discomfort to a serious, life-threatening condition. In mild cases, women may feel bloated, nauseous, or have some pelvic pain. In severe cases, large amounts of fluid can build up in the abdome
How is Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome inherited?
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome?
25 specialists and care centers treating Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.