hyperstimulation

noun

hy·​per·​stim·​u·​la·​tion ˌhī-pər-ˌstim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

variants or hyper-stimulation

: excessive or extreme stimulation : the act or process of excessively stimulating something or someone

The donors were fertile women who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and … ultrasound-directed aspiration of oocytes for the sole purpose of donation.

—Mark V. Sauer et al.

hyperstimulate

ˌhī-pər-ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt 

transitive verb

or hyper-stimulate

hyperstimulated or hyper-stimulated; hyperstimulating or hyper-stimulating

… the estrogen does indeed hyperstimulate the ovaries, sometimes causing the egg follicles to enlarge to almost cyst-like proportions.

—Natalie Angier

hyperstimulating adjective

or hyper-stimulating

Several grown-ups said their children were at first overwhelmed by the party's hyperstimulating environment.

—Cynthia Rupe

Examples of hyperstimulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Women who donate their eggs for the pregnancy face the rare risk of potentially fatal hyperstimulation syndrome, and the long-term consequences of the fertility drugs are unknown. —Lili Rutai, The Dial, 7 Jan. 2025

Additionally, the required hormone injections can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, where the ovaries become swollen and painful. —New Atlas, 17 Dec. 2024

The high doses of hormones often result in side effects like bloating, nausea and vomiting and even ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, Radenkovic says. —Alexandra York, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Most clinics do mention the small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a complication caused by the hormones required to stimulate egg drop that causes the ovaries to swell, though existing risk statistics come from studies of IVF patients, not young donors. —Emma Whitford, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

These may be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or ovarian torsion. —Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 30 July 2024

In most cases, hyperstimulation causes sluggishness, nausea, bloating and general discomfort for a week or so after retrieval. —Hannah Jackson, ELLE, 8 Dec. 2022

Albeit rare, some more severe potential concerns include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and ovarian torsion (when an ovary twists on itself). —Kristine Thomason, Women's Health, 28 Apr. 2023

It can be used to prevent bleeding between periods and to control hyperstimulation of the ovaries during in-vitro fertilization, the society said in a statement. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hyperstimulation

noun

hy·​per·​stim·​u·​la·​tion -ˌstim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: excessive or increased stimulation

The donors were fertile women who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation …

—Mark V. Sauer et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

hyperstimulate

-ˈstim-yə-ˌlāt 

verb

hyperstimulated; hyperstimulating

… the estrogen does indeed hyperstimulate the ovaries, sometimes causing the egg follicles to enlarge to almost cyst-like proportions.

—Natalie Angier, The New York Times