Each woman wishes for a healthy baby with a normal delivery. For some women, the journey to motherhood is comparatively smooth. But for some first time mothers, it may have unexpected complications. People only realize that there are so many factors involved in getting pregnant, such as timing, age, underlying health conditions, and especially, hormones.
One important hormone that affects pregnancy is AMH, also known as Anti-Mullerian hormone. More often, women who struggle with getting pregnant must be told that low AMH levels could impact pregnancy. In this blog, let’s take a closer look at what AMH is, low AMH symptoms, and why it is important to get pregnant.
What Are AMH Levels?
- Anti-mullerian hormone is synthesized by granulosa cells in the ovaries. It is significantly vital for the growth of follicles, which are the small fluid filled egg sacs. AMH is often considered the ovarian reserve marker, which is the number of good quality eggs in a woman’s ovaries. The more eggs a woman has, the higher the AMH levels will be.
- AMH is secreted by the small follicles in the ovaries, even though they are not mature.
- Anti-Mullerian hormones assist in managing follicular development, which is vital for fertility and ovarian health.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), AMH hormone helps assess the fertility level of the ovaries when compared to other hormones, such as follicle stimulating hormone.
- As this hormone does not change at the time of menstruation, it is highly reliable for determining pregnancy when compared with follicle stimulating hormone.
What Are The Symptoms of Low AMH Levels?
Low anti-mullerian hormone levels do not always come with obvious signs. It is only discovered during fertility tests. But here are some of the indirect low AMH symptoms:
- Difficulty in Conceiving: One of the most important signs of low AMH levels is difficulty in conceiving and infertility, even after regular attempts.
- Improper Menstruation: Some women may notice changes in cycle length or abnormal periods.
- Premature Menopause: Low anti-Mullerian hormone may be associated with an earlier decline in ovarian function.
- Decreased Ovulation: Ovulation may become less consistent over time.
- Poor Response to Ovarian Stimulation: During fertility treatments, women with low AMH may produce fewer eggs.
In case you are trying to get pregnant and have these symptoms, then without any second thought, you should visit the top gynaecologist in Coimbatore to get yourself assessed.
What Are The Causes And Effects Of Low AMH Levels?
Causes of Low AMH Levels
Low AMH levels can occur due to several natural and medical factors, including:
- Increasing Age: AMH levels naturally decline as a woman grows older, especially after the mid 30s.
- Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A naturally lower egg count that may occur earlier in some women.
- Genetic Factors: Family history of early menopause or reduced ovarian reserve.
- Previous Ovarian Surgery: Procedures involving the ovaries may reduce follicle count.
- Certain Medical Treatments: Treatments that affect ovarian tissue can lower AMH levels.
- Hormonal or Autoimmune Conditions: Some conditions can impact ovarian function.
Low anti-Mullerian hormone can be present even in women with regular menstrual cycles and no obvious symptoms.
Effects of Low AMH Levels
The effects of low AMH levels vary from person to person and may include:
- Reduced number of eggs available for ovulation.
- Shorter reproductive window, making timing more important.
- Lower response to ovarian stimulation during fertility treatments.
- Possible delays in conception, especially with increasing age.
It is important to note that low AMH does not reflect egg quality. Younger women with low AMH may still have healthy eggs and conceive naturally.
What Is The Role And Importance Of AMH Level In Pregnancy?
AMH and Natural Pregnancy
AMH levels alone do not determine whether a woman can conceive naturally. Pregnancy depends on several interconnected factors, including:
- Regular ovulation
- Egg quality
- Sperm health
- Fallopian tube function
- Uterine health
A woman with low anti-mullerian hormone may still ovulate regularly and conceive naturally, while someone with high AMH may struggle due to irregular ovulation. Therefore, consulting a specialist at Coimbatore’s best gynecology hospital for a broader fertility assessment will help determine your AMH levels.
AMH In Fertility Evaluation
AMH plays a valuable role in fertility planning by helping specialists:
- Assess ovarian reserve.
- Predict ovarian response to stimulation.
- Guide treatment timelines.
- Identify conditions such as diminished ovarian reserve or PCOS.
Low AMH levels suggest fewer remaining eggs, which may mean a narrower reproductive window. However, this does not mean pregnancy is impossible. Many women with low AMH conceive naturally or with timely medical guidance.
AMH, Age, And Egg Quality
Although AMH reflects egg quantity, age remains the strongest indicator of egg quality. A younger woman with low AMH may still have healthy eggs, while an older woman with normal AMH may experience age related egg quality decline. This distinction is crucial, as egg quality significantly impacts fertilization and pregnancy outcomes.
AMH And Assisted Conception
In assisted reproductive care, AMH helps in:
- Customizing treatment approaches.
- Predicting ovarian response.
- Reducing the risk of overstimulation.
- Planning treatment cycles more effectively.
However, AMH does not predict embryo quality, implantation success, or live birth rates. Women with similar AMH values can have very different pregnancy outcomes based on individual health factors.
Common Misunderstandings About AMH Levels
Several myths surround AMH testing:
- Low AMH means pregnancy is not possible.
- High AMH guarantees easy conception.
- AMH predicts egg quality.
- AMH alone defines fertility potential.
In reality, AMH is only one part of the fertility puzzle and should never be viewed in isolation.
What Is The Normal AMH Level For Getting Pregnant?
The AMH normal level for pregnancy should generally be between 1.0 and 4.0 ng/ml. Sometimes, 1.0 to 3.0 ng/ml is always considered an ideal AMH level for pregnancy and higher chances of conception. But these AMH levels might differ according to age. An AMH level that is less than 1.0 ng/ml might signal decreased ovarian reserve. An AMH level of more than 4.0 ng/ml might signal PCOS.
How Does The AMH Blood Test Work?
Anti-mullerian hormone is secreted by small follicles, which are the pouches containing the eggs, growing in the ovary. These AMH levels can be measured in blood tests. The AMH levels indicate how many follicles are developing, which indicates how many eggs are present in the ovary.
What Is The Right AMH Level Based On Age?
Women who try to conceive should have AMH levels from 1.0 to 3.0 ng/ml. At age 25, a woman should have 3.0 ng/ml, at age 30, a woman should have 2.5 ng/ml, at age 35, a woman should have 1.5 ng/ml, at age 40, a woman should have 1.0 ng/ml, and at age 45, a woman should have 0.5 ng/ml.
Wrapping Up
AMH levels are an important marker of ovarian reserve, offering insight into egg quantity rather than the ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy. Whether AMH levels are low, normal, or high, they do not provide a definitive answer about pregnancy potential. Fertility is influenced by multiple factors, including age, ovulation patterns, egg quality, and overall reproductive health.
For women planning pregnancy or facing conception challenges, AMH testing can be valuable when combined with comprehensive evaluation and expert guidance. Understanding what AMH levels truly indicate allows for informed decision making, realistic expectations, and a more confident approach to fertility planning.
