How Many Eggs Can You Expect to Retrieve Based on Your AMH Level?
When it comes to egg freezing or IVF, one of the first questions many women ask is:
“How many eggs can I expect to get?”
The answer often starts with one key number: your AMH level-a hormone that gives insight into your ovarian reserve. But AMH isn’t the whole story. Conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and even your age or lifestyle can all impact how many eggs are actually retrieved.
Let’s break it down.
What is AMH and Why Does it Matter?
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is produced by small follicles in your ovaries. It gives fertility specialists a rough idea of how many eggs you might have left—and how your body might respond to fertility treatment like egg retrieval or IVF.
Higher AMH = more antral follicles = potentially more eggs retrieved
Lower AMH = fewer follicles = fewer eggs retrieved
But it’s not just about quantity- egg quality also plays a key role, and that isn’t reflected in your AMH level.
General AMH Ranges & Expected Egg Retrieval
Here’s a general idea of what different AMH levels might suggest in terms of egg retrieval during a standard stimulation cycle:
<1.0 Very low ovarian reserve. May struggle to produce eggs, especially with age.
1.0–1.9 Low-normal. Still fertile, but may have lower IVF response.
2.0–3.9 Normal range. Typical for healthy, fertile women.
4.0–6.8 High-normal. Often seen in women under 30. Good egg yield likely.
>6.8 Very high. May suggest PCOS if combined with symptoms like irregular cycles, but not diagnostic on its own.
These are general estimates and actual egg count varies based on your age, follicle count (AFC), and how your body responds to medication.
If You Have PCOS
Women with PCOS often have high AMH levels, sometimes double or even triple the average. That’s because their ovaries typically have a larger number of small, immature follicles.
What to Expect:
You may retrieve 20–30+ eggs in one cycle
High risk of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome), so doctors often use a gentler protocol
Egg quality can sometimes be lower due to hormonal imbalance, so not all retrieved eggs may be mature or usable
Tip: If you have PCOS, ask your clinic about a low-dose stimulation protocol to reduce risks and improve egg maturity.
If You Have Endometriosis
Endometriosis can negatively affect both AMH levels and egg quality, especially if you've had surgery on your ovaries (e.g. to remove endometriomas).
What to Expect:
AMH may be lower than expected for your age
Retrieval may result in fewer eggs (3–8 per cycle)
The eggs you retrieve can still lead to healthy pregnancies especially if you're younger
Tip: If you have endometriosis, early fertility testing (AMH + AFC) and planning are key. Freezing eggs sooner may be beneficial.
If You Have Unexplained Infertility or Low AMH
Sometimes AMH is low, but there’s no obvious cause. This can still make egg retrieval harder, but not impossible.
What to Expect:
Retrieval might result in 2–6 eggs per cycle
Fertility doctors may recommend DHEA or CoQ10 to support egg quality during stimulation
You may need more than one cycle to reach your egg-freezing or embryo goals
Tip: Focus on egg quality support: sleep, balanced blood sugar, no smoking, and antioxidant-rich foods.
Other Factors That Affect Egg Retrieval
Besides AMH, the number of eggs retrieved can also be influenced by:
Age is one of the most important predictors of egg quantity and quality. Even if AMH is normal, egg quality typically declines with age.
Women under 35 retrieve an average of 12–20 eggs per IVF cycle.
By age 38–40, the average drops to 8–12 eggs.
Over 42, many women retrieve fewer than 5 eggs, and fewer are genetically normal.
Antral Follicle Count (AFC) – the number of visible follicles on ultrasound
Fertility medication protocol – some women need higher doses to respond
Body weight – underweight or overweight women may respond differently to stimulation
A BMI >30 is associated with lower response rates and fewer mature eggs.
Obese women may need higher medication doses and have up to 20% lower retrieval outcomes compared to normal-weight women.
Lifestyle & supplements – smoking, stress, and nutrient deficiencies can all impact fertility
Smoking is associated with a 25–30% reduction in ovarian reserve and earlier menopause by 1–4 years.
Antioxidant supplements like CoQ10 have been shown to improve egg quality and mitochondrial function in some women, especially over 35.
So, How Many Eggs Should You Freeze or Retrieve?
It depends on your long-term goals.
Age and Eggs to Freeze for 1 Baby
<35 | 10–15 mature eggs
35–37 | 15–20 mature eggs
38–40 | 20–25+ mature eggs
It’s important to note that only about 60–70% of retrieved eggs are mature and not all mature eggs will fertilize or lead to a viable embryo. That’s why quantity matters but quality is equally (or more) important.
Final Thoughts: Use Your AMH as a Starting Point
Your AMH result is just one part of the puzzle, but it’s a valuable tool for understanding your fertility timeline. Whether you're thinking about freezing your eggs, trying to conceive, or planning ahead-it can help you and your doctor create a personalized plan.
If you’re unsure about your AMH level, conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, or whether now is the right time to act, Athena’s simple at-home hormone test can give you clarity.
