It is difficult to know how each woman will respond to ovarian stimulation in a first cycle of assisted reproduction. This depends on several factors such as the age of the patient, her ovarian reserve, the hormonal dose administered, etc.
The gynecologist tries to adjust the stimulation protocol as much as possible to obtain an optimal response. However, there are two undesirable situations that can occur and that must be taken into account:
- Low response
- very few oocytes are obtained after ovarian stimulation. In general, it is considered that there is a low response if less than 4 oocytes are obtained.
- High response
- the ovary has an excessive response to the medication, which causes the ovary to enlarge and could lead to complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
In the case of OHSS, it is necessary to vitrify the embryos obtained and schedule the embryo transfer in a subsequent cycle to avoid a greater risk to the patient.
Read the full article on: Ovarian stimulation protocols – process, medications and symptoms ( 84).
By Daniel Sosa M.D., M.Sc. (gynecologist), Elena Martín Hidalgo M.D. (gynecologist), Gorka Barrenetxea Ziarrusta M.D., Ph.D. (gynecologist), Juan Antonio García Velasco M.D., Ph.D. (gynecologist), Marta Zermiani M.D., Ph.D. (gynecologist), Sara Salgado B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Silvia Azaña Gutiérrez B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Cristina Algarra Goosman B.Sc., M.Sc. (psychologist) and Michelle Lorraine Embleton B.Sc. Ph.D. (biochemist).
Last Update: 02/18/2022