OHSS Management for Patients

June 3, 2024

Following stimulation by fertility medications such as Gonal F and Menopur, you may experience bloating and abdominal discomfort. As you have produced more follicles than you naturally would, the ovaries may start to leak fluid into the pelvis and even into the abdomen. As this occurs, your body loses electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) and proteins. The following suggestions will help you monitor your comfort and health through this process. 

The goal of OHSS management is to increase your salt intake by consuming 1200 mg of sodium daily (on top of your usual intake) along with 1-2 litres of fluid. This will replace lost fluids and rehydrate your body and also decrease bloating. Please read product labels regarding sodium content of beverages.

Some recommendations of high salt beverages include: 

  • 1 bottle of V8 juice V-GO (354 ml bottle)
  • 1 can of V8 juice (340 ml can)
  • 1 can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup (284 ml) or 1 can of Campbell's Consomme Soup (284 ml).

Drink a minimum of 1 litre of liquid (i.e. milk, juice, or water) up to a maximum of 2 litres. 

If you find that you are not urinating very much then increase your fluid intake and contact the clinic to inform us. 

Absolutely NO caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. 

Salty snacks such as potato chips after your retrieval are encouraged as well.

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Hyperstimulation Management:

  1. Measure your waist (around your belly button) on a daily basis and record it. This will allow our nursing team to track any visible changes to your abdomen and make a recommendation for next steps. We recommend wearing loose and comfortable clothing as the pressure in your abdomen can cause discomfort. 
  2. Weigh yourself on a daily basis and record the results. Please ensure that you weigh yourself at the same time each day. Let the nurse know if there has been significant weight change. (i.e. 2 or more pounds per day)
  3. Monitor and record input and output.
    • Use a measuring cup to measure what you drink and what you put out.
    • Please let us know any significant colour changes in your urine (ie. very dark and concentrated vs clear yellow)
  4. You may be asked to stay home from work. some text
    • You may move around the house with reduced activities. Strict bed rest is not recommended due to the increased risk for a blood clot. While resting you can exercise your calf muscles to keep blood circulating by flexing and extending your feet.
    • You may be more comfortable if you lay on your side. 
  5. Please continue the above recommended step until your physician has discontinued the OHSS management.

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Hyperstimulation Fluid Tracking Chart

Please record your results below. Please measure yourself daily around the same time each day. Once completed, please report your results to the nurse via the Patient App Chat. Do not stop until advised by the clinic.