AMH: What You Need to Know About Ovarian Reserve Testing
Introduction to Ovarian Reserve Testing
When you’re thinking about fertility-whether now or in the future-understanding your ovarian reserve is key.
One of the most reliable ways to assess it is through the anti müllerian hormone (AMH) test, a simple blood test that provides valuable insight into your ovarian function and how many eggs you might have left.
Your AMH levels can help predict how your body might respond to ovarian stimulation during treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), and whether options like egg freezing might be worth exploring.
What is Anti-Müllerian Hormone?
Anti-müllerian hormone (also known as AMH, anti mullerian hormone, Müllerian inhibiting substance, or Müllerian inhibiting hormone) is produced by tiny follicles in your ovaries. These are the same follicles that can go on to release an egg during ovulation.
AMH plays a role early in life during sexual differentiation, and in females, it continues to be a marker of how many eggs your ovaries are still capable of developing.
Higher AMH values generally mean a higher ovarian reserve-or in simpler terms, more eggs.
AMH levels naturally decline with age, especially after your mid-30s. This decline is part of the normal reproductive aging process and can signal early menopause or even premature menopause if the levels are very low for your age.
How Testing Works
The anti müllerian hormone test (test amh) is a simple blood test done to assess your reproductive hormones.
Once your blood sample is collected, the test measures how much AMH is circulating in your body. The results usually come back within a few days.
Most tests also include other hormone tests like follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), giving a broader picture of your reproductive health.
Interpreting Test Results
While normal AMH levels range between 1.0 and 4.0 ng/mL, AMH test results need to be interpreted with context.
Low AMH doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant-it may simply mean your egg count is lower than expected for your age.
High AMH levels can indicate a higher ovarian reserve-but they may also be associated with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where ovarian response to stimulation can be unpredictable. Additionally, various health problems such as irregular ovulation and endometriosis can impact fertility and should be considered alongside AMH values.
Your healthcare provider or fertility specialist will help you make sense of your results based on your age, family history, cycle length, and other factors like pelvic scarring or reproductive health conditions.
Understanding Ovarian Reserve
Ovarian reserve refers to the total number of eggs a woman has left. Every woman is born with all the eggs she’ll ever have, and this number declines over time.
AMH levels are one of the most reliable ways to estimate this reserve, though they don’t tell you anything about egg quality or if the eggs are genetically healthy. However, AMH levels can also indicate how well a woman might respond to fertility treatments aimed at maturing multiple eggs for procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Even healthy females with regular menstrual cycles may have low AMH, while others may have high levels and still struggle with infertility due to blocked fallopian tubes, sperm quality, or other fertility problems.
Factors Affecting Hormone Levels
A lot can impact your AMH levels, including your age, BMI, overall health, and even lifestyle choices like smoking or chronic stress. AMH levels naturally decline as women approach the average age of menopause, which is generally around 52 years.
Medical conditions such as PCOS, premature ovarian insufficiency, and prior cancer treatment can also alter AMH.
Some certain medications, especially injectable fertility drugs, may temporarily impact how your body makes or responds to AMH.
Understanding these influences is important when evaluating your results—and your options.
Improving Ovarian Reserve
“Here’s the truth: there’s currently no medically proven way to increase AMH levels or regenerate your egg supply.”
However, living a healthy lifestyle, getting regular exercise, managing stress, and avoiding toxins can support overall female fertility.
If you’ve been diagnosed with low AMH, treatments like in vitro fertilisation or egg freezing can help you still achieve pregnancy.
Signs of Low Ovarian Reserve
Many women with low AMH don’t experience obvious symptoms, but some signs can include:
Irregular periods or shorter cycle lengths
Difficulty conceiving
Heavy bleeding or abnormal bleeding
Symptoms similar to the menopause transition, like hot flushes, mood changes, and sleep problems
If these bothersome symptoms show up alongside fertility problems, consider running an AMH test.
Menopause and Ovarian Reserve
As women age, their AMH levels drop, and eventually they reach the final menstrual period, officially entering menopause.
Tracking AMH can offer insight into where you are in the menopausal transition, especially if you’re showing menopause-like symptoms earlier than expected. The anti müllerian hormone test can be particularly useful in these cases.
If you’re approaching reproductive age where early menopause runs in the family history, AMH testing can provide peace of mind or prompt you to act sooner-whether that’s considering fertility preservation or just knowing what to expect.
Next Steps in Fertility
Once you understand your AMH test results, you can make empowered decisions about your fertility journey. It’s also important to consider other factors like sperm count, which plays a crucial role in successful conception.
Some women may pursue egg freezing as a proactive choice, while others may move forward with vitro fertilization or alternative treatment options.
Others may just feel more in control knowing how many eggs they likely have left. Wherever you are, you’re not alone-and the right support makes all the difference.
