Hyperstimulation?

The goal of stimulation for IVF is to get many good quality eggs, thereby increasing the likelihood for development of embryos with high potential for pregnancy. The starting dose of FSH may be individualized. For most patients, a dose of FSH of 150-225 IE is adequate; other patients classified as "high responders", a lower dose FSH of 75-100 IE provides sufficient stimulation. Especially for high-responders the risk of hyperstimulation has to be considered and be prepared for either by dose reduction or so-called coasting. The reaction will occur in about 5% of all hormon stimulations and are often difficult to predict.

The chances of pregnancy is not reduced and there  is no increased hazard to the pregnancy.

Symptoms that may exist are:

• Increasing lower abdominal swelling and weight gain
• Lower abdominal pains
• Growing tightness towards the diaphragm
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Breathlessness

On suspicion of hyperstimulation a special treatment, which involves a bit more frequent contact with the clinic, during the period after transfer is instituted

It is important to know that the symptoms are transient and do not give you problems later on in life.

Risks of hormone therapy?

Risks of hormone stimulation is particularly the development of many follicles. Follicles of different sizes do develop and there may be a risk that even small follicles (14-15 mm) ovulate . In such a case the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation increase.

Long-term effects of repeated ovulation induction has not been seen. No increased in risk of cancer  in ovaries, uterus or breast has been demonstrated. There is no risk that the eggs will "run out" and cause premature ovarian failure or menopause.

Stress?

There are no evidence in the literature (scientific studies) that "stress" as general term affects the chances of getting pregnant or the progres of a pregnancy. Stress in itself is of course a very wide term. Stress in the form of extreme fatigue, anorexia, starvation or other more extreme forms, does have a clear impact on both the chance of becoming pregnant and to carry a pregnancy.