Empty Follicular Syndrome: Understanding Controversial Entity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Empty follicular syndrome (EFS) is defined as the failure to retrieve oocytes from mature ovarian follicles after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF). There are two types of EFS—genuine and false EFS. In genuine EFS, there is failure to retrieve oocytes from mature ovarian follicles after COH for IVF after apparently normal follicular development and steroidogenesis in the presence of optimum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels, whereas in false EFS, there is failure to retrieve oocytes in the presence of low β-hCG levels. Whatever may be the cause of EFS, these patients should be counseled regarding its possibility of recurrence and future poor prognosis. However, different IVF treatment methods in subsequent cycles could modulate the response with successful oocyte recovery in such cases. How to cite this article Choudhary SD, Mishra V. Empty Follicular Syndrome: Understanding Controversial Entity. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2017;9(2):113-117.