Acupuncture and Ovarian Hyperstimulation (OHSS)

What is OHSS?

OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation) is when the ovaries over react in response to fertility drugs used to stimulate them for either ovulation inductions treatments, IUI or IVF.

The ovaries swell up to several times their normal size, as a result of forming 20 follicles or more. There is also a very high level of oestrogen production and the production of other hormones that may be associated with ill effects.

Although the condition occurs in only 3-5% of women undergoing ART, fertility acupuncturists will see it far more often after embryo transfer or around the time of egg collection.

If you carry a high risk of developing OHSS, your clinic will montor you closely with ultrasound scanning and checking blood hormones.

 

Risk factors of OHSS

Certain factors do increase the chance of developing OHSS, such as; being under the age of 30, being underweight, having PCOS, having had OHSS before, using GnRH agonists as part of treatment.

Signs of OHSS

OHSS signs include weight gain, bloating, shortness of breath, dizziness, pelvic pain, nausea, vomitting and sometimes diarrhoea. More seriously, there may be swelling of the leg due to a blood clot, failure to pass urine or shortness of breath due to a blood clot in the lung, fluid in the lungs or pressure from a swollen abdomen.

Acupuncture Treatment of OHSS

If acupuncturists can identify the onset of OHSS at a very early stage, most cases of mild to moderate OHSS can be successfully treated with acupuncture to relieve significant discomfort, to prevent the development of severe OHSS and to allow an embryo transfer to take place.

In severe cases acupuncture can help to alleviate many of the more serious symptoms in conjunction with Western medical treatment.

If a pregnancy results when the patient is still experiencing OHSS, the pregnancy hormones will worsen the symptoms. Acupuncture in this case is an invaluable tool to help the patient through what could otherwise be a very difficult first trimester.


Acupuncture and OHSS Testimonial

Acupuncture and OHSS Case Study.

The London Acupuncture Space has undergone extensive training in Fertility Acupuncture and Obstetrics Acupuncture at the Royal College of Physicians in London and at the renowned Zita West Fertility Clinic.