Post-Menopur Recovery: Addressing Pelvic Pain & Other Symptoms

Question
Dear Edward, I have recently stopped using menopur injections after I overstimulated. My scan showed fluid on my pelvis and I was told that there was a possibility that one of my follicles had burst and was advised to get together with my husband.Since stopping the injections a week ago, I have had a dull low back ache which is spreading into my hips, they feel bruised and sensitive to touch,I have also experienced a dull ache in one of my armpits and pulling pains in my womb/ovary area. I do not have a high temperature and feel very odd/tired. Can you get these sypmtoms after menopur? and if so how long do they take to subside?

Many thanks

Answer
Dear Alison,

Thank you for your question.  The symptoms that you are experiencing can be consistent with enlarged ovaries from the stimulation, from the rupture of the follicles, pregnancy and from hyperstimulation stimulation (the accumulation of fluid in your pelvis).  I am surprised that your doctor recommended for you to have intercourse after canceling your cycle for hyperstimulating.  The last thing we want if you hyperstimulate is to get pregnant.  That can thrust you into a more severe form of the syndrome and/or lead to a super-multiple pregnancy (3 or more).  I can only presume that you were prescribed this medication by a General OB/GYN, because this advice would have been against the normal standard of care by an Infertility subspecialist or Reproductive Endocrinologist.

In any case, with these symptoms, you should follow closely with your doctor to make sure you are not developing the hyperstimulation syndrome, which can be very serious.

If you do not get pregnant, and you have a milder form of OHSS, then usually the symptoms will subside after about 7 days.  One other suggestion, if you doctor is not an infertility subspecialist (additional training in infertility and usually someone who does IVF), then you should not be taking these strong fertility medications with that doctor.  Find a fertility specialist.  You will have a better chance of being successful with minimal risk.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D.
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com