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<p>Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a well-recognised side effect of the
medicines used to stimulate a patient’s ovaries during in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
treatment. The risks of OHSS are taken very seriously and information on this condition
and the symptoms to look out for must be provided to all patients. Patients are warned
to contact their clinic or seek other medical assistance as soon as possible if they
are concerned they may be developing any of the symptoms associated with the condition.</p><p>The
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) requires all licensed clinics
to report cases of severe or critical OHSS that come to their attention. OHSS, in
its most severe form, can be fatal but deaths, as a result of the condition, are extremely
rare in the United Kingdom with no deaths recorded since 2006. Hospital Episode Statistics
suggest there are more emergency and out-of-hours admissions than are reported to
the HFEA but there is evidence to suggest that many of these admissions have been
incorrectly coded for OHSS when another condition was the reason for the admission.</p><p>The
Government has no plans to establish a central database to monitor the long-term health
implications of the medicines administered to women during IVF. However, we do track
all adverse drug reactions assiduously, for example, through the Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency’s pharmacovigilance work and the Yellow Card Scheme.</p>
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