I'm half way through the 2ww following my first fresh IVF round. Produced 17 eggs during collection.
Felt extremely bloated and uncomfortable before the procedure due to meds, and even worse afterwards, with a hugely distended stomach and the feeling of severe trapped wind! Plus constipation, oh joy
It subsided after a few days but now it has returned and that area seems to be sensitive and tender particularly when I walk, somehow affecting my bladder and making me want to pee all the time. I sneezed whilst lying down earlier and felt a weird, quite painful internal tug on both my ovaries that caused a lingering ache. Ever since the collection that have been cramping and twinging intermittently, but nothing too bad. Clearly they are still enlarged.
I'm also of course on hormone meds inc progesterone which can apparently cause bloating so maybe that is not helping.
Just wanted to know whether anyone has had a similar experience and if so how long was it before you could a) have sex again and b) exercise properly? It has been WEEKS (on the advice of the doc) since I have done either and it's driving me a bit mad but judging by my symptoms there's no way I feel I can do either for a while.
Any advice welcome!!
Thanks so much xxx
Written by
delilah_15
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi, my ovaries were huge for weeks. I had my 12 weeks scan and they were still showing enlarged. It will take time to go back to normal, I wouldn't do anything too strenuous, if you can get out for a walk then do so but I didn't do anything more exciting than that. As far as sex goes I would just wait until things have settled down, sorry to sound like a kill joy, I'd just be very careful. Good luck with the rest of your 2ww 🍀
Hi Delilah. Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time, if it helps you’re not alone. I’m exactly the same situation currently on the other side of the globe. I was on here a few days back looking for answers also. I have OHSS with stimulation but produced 25 eggs. 13 fertilized so all worth it although a few days back i was of a different opinion whilst struggling to breath or talk due trapped gas up in my rib cage and up in my back and pints of fluid I had to get drained... absolutely Horrendous.
I’m half way through my 2ww now though with everyday that passes the discomfort eases. The bloat is still there- I honestly look 5 months pregnant and everything is too tight.
Alas! I found a remedy for the gas- Strangely 0.5 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in water after each meal really helped get gas moving. Laxatives and Gaviscon did nothing... I even tried apple cider vinegar.
Oh and my dr. Said no bumpy cuddles for 12 days post transfer, honestly the last thing I’m thinking about but good in you girl if you’re feeling it 😉 🐰
Massively helpful! Thank you very much. That's a good tip re bicarbonate of soda, will try it. That sounds absolutely awful, poor you... good luck with everything!
i had 33 eggs removed and was in so much pain i couldnt walk for 4-5 days only to pee. I literally felt i had open stomach surgery. Took weeks for my whole system to calm down hence another reason why i did a frozem embro transfer to give time to my body to catch up!! It wont be long till you feel better!
33!! Wowzers that’s incredible. What clever little ovaries you have 👑
I feel relatively normal this morning which from what I’ve read could be a less positive sign. On day 5 of 2ww- Will remain hopeful and try not to let the negative thoughts and worry creep in.
I felt the same, I had painful ovaries from half way though stimulation, it calmed down a day before transfer then got bad again (I ended up with a BFP) hence it got worse due to HCG hormone, it got better at about 9/10 weeks. I also had the peeing all the time (have done in all my pregnancies) along with the cramping and twinges. At all my early scans from 5 weeks up to 12 weeks my ovaries were still enlarged!
It was about a month before I could go for a walk longer than 20 minutes, but it did eventually get better.
Okay, good to hear. It’s very nice having the support of other women on here who are going through the same thing as you feel you are not alone! Thanks for this and congratulations. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 x
I had bloating and constipation from the day I started the meds to about 9 weeks pregnant. I found taking lactulose helped a little bit but I was told nothing stronger. The more constipated I was the worse the pain was. I found I was cramping loads on my left side because if it and my lower back used to ache all day. I went through a whole box if fibre gel, 2 sacthes a day, loads of fruit and veg and nothing helped. I put it down the the meds but I finished the pesseries at week 7 and still struggled. It is a symptom but I didnt class it as one because as soon as I started injections I couldn't go. I have only just returned to exercise at 10 weeks pregnant because of the discomfort and pain even if I stretched too far. As for sex I've never felt less sexy but was told we could resume almost straight away.
Thanks for the tips. I’m trying to go for a good walk every day but need to pee almost immediately and obviously no public toilets are open at the moment so it’s problematic! As for feeling sexy, me neither, it just makes me feel a little distant from my husband but can’t be helped right now. Hopefully this continued discomfort is a good sign.... take care.
My ovaries were still huge at 7 week scan...so prob still takes time for them to go down a bit. Drink plenty....I personally am not active at the moment...all the bloating makes it worse...!
With exercise...light...walking Pilates yoga...esp whilst ovaries are enlarged. Good for you if you can take care xx
Hi, I had the same symptoms, after my 7 eggs retrieval I was for 2 days in excruciating pain, my stomach looked like I was 9 m pregnant, had constipation as well. My doctor said I have the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. They recommend me to drink 69 oz of water measure my belly every morning, measure my urine and my weight. If it would get bigger I needed to go to the ER. Thankfully, after 2 days of pain, everything is gone but I was measure and fallow all instruction for one week. Talk to your doctor, good luck.
Hello, so today it flared up again quite badly and I have been in quite a lot of discomfort. I just managed to dig some bicarb out of the cupboard and tried your suggestion - it’s already feeling so much better and calmer down there. Thank you! I will keep doing this after I eat and see how it goes.... thanks again X
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
take care xx
How do people feel after ivf....
How long to wait after freeze all fresh cycle before ERA test?
Told we will be needing ICSI instead of IVF 
Miscarriage after IVF - coming to (what would have been) due date
Moving from IUI to IVF... Time out and how to prepare... ? How long from consult to IVF starting? Advice needed/experiences welcome..
