When I started my IVF cycle, I decided to stop all exercise and take it easy.  Although I was never given any strict guidelines or instructions to stop exercise all together, I was given a list of a few dos and don’ts.  In the middle of my cycle I decided to take a stroll down the street one day to stretch my legs.  When I got back home I saw that a friend of mine had called.  When I called her back and told what I had been doing, she quickly informed me that I needed to stop exercise all together, even walking, during my cycle or I could increase my risk of having complications with Ovarian Torsion.

Before that day, I had never heard of the term Ovarian Torsion, but just like I do with any other medical term, especially surrounding fertility, I jumped on the internet to find out more about it.  What I found was that there was a link between Ovarian Torsion and the use of fertility drugs, or gonadotrophins, used in follicle stimulation.  Exercise during follicle stimulation can play a key role in the development of Ovarian Torsion.

Ovarian Torsion, or twisting of the ovaries, is considered to be rare.  What happens is that during ovarian stimulation, the ovary twists and cuts off blood supply to itself.  The risk during IVF is minimal, around 0.2%.  The risk for Ovarian Torsion increases with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).  Ovarian Torsion has also been present in women who have never gone through fertility treatments and is associated with other medical conditions.  Statistics show that about 20% of the reported Ovarian Torsion cases occur with pregnant women.

Part of the irony of Ovarian Torsion and fertility treatments is that if it is not treated early enough, it can actually lead to infertility, problems conceiving or the removal of the ovary.  Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a good prognosis for the patient and the recovery of their ovary.  Untreated Ovarian Torsions can cause the ovary to die from lack of blood flow and may lead to the surgical removal of the ovary.

Studies have shown that the risk for Ovarian Torsion during ovarian hyperstimulation with fertility treatments increases when a patient exercises.  In fact, it has been reported that patients are still at risk for Ovarian Torsion after a fertility treatment until their ovary returns to its normal size, so exercise should be avoided until this occurs.

Symptoms of Ovarian Torsion include tenderness in the lower abdomen as well as severe pain in the lower abdomen.  Other symptoms associated with Ovarian Torsion are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, mild fever and tachycardia.  Patients may experience one or all of these symptoms, but the most apparent symptom will be the extreme lower abdominal pain.  Whether you are in the middle of a stimulated cycle, have recently completed a cycle, or are pregnant you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms in order to rule out Ovarian Torsion.

Although the exact cause of Ovarian Torsion is unknown, there are many things associated with it.  Above all else, strenuous activity and exercise should be avoided during a fertility cycle or following a fertility cycle until your ovaries are shown to be back to their normal size. Some fertility doctors go so far as to say avoid exercise and housework, such as running a vacuum cleaner, all together during your treatments.  Although the decision to avoid exercise is one that you will need to take, I say why take any chances?

Needless to say, after I read about Ovarian Torsion on the internet, I opted not to take any chances.  This meant no housework, no exercise and no leisurely strolls down the street.  Be aware of your body and how you feel during your treatments and if you begin to feel lower abdominal pain, contact your doctor immediately.  It might be nothing, but it is better to know and have a good peace of mind rather than face serious consequences from not seeking necessary medical help.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 7th, 2006 at 7:45 pm and is filed under Fertility. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.