What is Hyperovulation? – Is it Possible?


In this article:

What is Multiple Ovulation or Hyperovulation?
What are the Symptoms of Hyperovulation?
Can you Ovulate More than Once in a Cycle?
Can You Get Positive on an Ovulation Test More than Once in a Cycle?
What Causes Hyperovulation?



All You Need to Know about Hyperovulation

What is Multiple Ovulation or Hyperovulation?

Hyperovulation or Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a condition in which women can have multiple ovulations in a single cycle. This means that several eggs (most often two or three) are released from both of the ovaries and both eggs will be released within 24h of each other.

What are the Symptoms of Hyperovulation?


Most women experiencing multiple ovulation, find it difficult to tell whether they are hyperovulating or ovulating at all. After conducting a self-assessment, though, a few women also reported symptoms such as more severe ovulation pain and a heavier cervical discharge than usual.  The only clear indication of hyperovulation is given by ultrasound, which shows the single follicles in which the oocytes develop.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome affects women who take injectable hormone medications to stimulate the development of eggs in the ovaries. This may occur in women who are undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination. Excess hormone medication in your body can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), in which your ovaries become swollen and painful. A small number of women may develop severe OHSS.

With mild to moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, symptoms can include:

  • Mild to moderate abdominal pain
  • Abdominal bloating or increased waist size
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tenderness around the area of your ovaries and abdomen
  • Sudden weight gain

Can you Ovulate More than Once in a Cycle?

In most women, the ovaries take turns in the releasing of an egg. When hyperovulation occurs, both of the ovaries release an egg in the same cycle.

Traditionally, it has been assumed that ovulation takes place only once in every menstruation cycle. A growth wave of 15 to 20 egg-carrying cells called follicles occurs before ovulation. One follicle will become dominant while the others can die off or be harvested for use for couples who cannot conceive.


It is necessary to know that multiple ovulation tests do not necessarily mean multiple eggs being released. While the body might prepare to release multiple follicles, there is only one cycle occurring in your body. The production of the hormone does not necessarily mean that your ovaries have released an egg.

What Causes Hyperovulation?

There are 4 common causes behind hyperovulation, such as:

  • Genes: studies show that fraternal twins run in the family from the mother’s side. This is due to the fact that some women are prone to hyperovulation and can be passed down through genes.
  • Medical conditions: Women with PCOS may not always have periods. The following cycle may very likely have hyperovulation.
  • Medical treatments: When women are undergoing IVF treatment or want to donate her eggs, she is given hormonal stimulants to have hyperovulation. The eggs are then removed to either be fertilized or donated.
  • Recently been on hormonal contraception: Hormonal contraception mainly works to prohibit ovulation from occurring, so when the woman’s body is trying to get back to ”normal”, she’s more likely to have hyperovulation.

There are other factors that may increase the risk of OHSS, such as:

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disorder that causes irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and unusual appearance of the ovaries on ultrasound examination
  • A large number of follicles
  • You are under 30 years of age
  • Low body weight
  • A high or steeply increasing level of estradiol (estrogen) before an HCG trigger shot

Hyperovulation cannot be easily identified through the use of ovulation kits or may not necessarily occur by having certain hyperovulation-inducing foods. Thus undergoing an ultrasound to detect the presence of multiple follicles is the only way to be sure of the presence of OHSS. Having multiple eggs might be painful for you but it does increase the chances of having twins or triplets.


Can Women Ovulate More than Once a Month?

