AMH Levels by Age and What They Mean for Fertility and IVF

Introduction

Many women struggle with fertility once they start planning a child. The fertility journey is different for everyone. But those struggling with it truly understand the ups and downs that come with it, including a host of tests that doctors use to predict how successful their attempts at conceiving will be.

AMH is one such important fertility marker that helps doctors assess a woman’s ovarian reserve. It gives valuable insight into the number of eggs your ovaries can still produce. Understanding AMH levels by age can help you make informed choices about family planning, fertility treatment, or IVF.

AMH doesn’t define whether you can or cannot get pregnant, but it does offer a window into your body’s natural fertility timeline or how well you are responding to IVF treatment. Let’s understand what it means and how it changes with age.

What is AMH, and why is it important?

AMH, or the Anti-Müllerian Hormone, is an important body hormone that plays a role in helping form a baby’s sex organs while it’s developing in the womb. It develops in the tiny follicles in the ovaries and helps control how these eggs grow and mature. Essentially, AMH is responsible for how many eggs are present in the ovaries. The higher the AMH levels, the more eggs in the ovaries. This is why doctors use AMH testing when checking patients for fertility issues. As women age, AMH levels naturally decline. This decline is part of a natural biological rhythm.

Doctors most often use the AMH test to evaluate fertility potential and to guide IVF treatment plans. It’s a simple blood test that can be done at any point in your menstrual cycle.

What Do High and Low AMH Levels Mean?

Unlike other hormones in women, AMH levels remain consistent throughout the menstrual cycle. In general, higher levels of AMH would suggest that you have an excellent number of eggs in your ovaries for your age. However, in certain instances, it can also indicate a polycystic ovary.

Normal AMH levels mean that you have a healthy number of eggs in your ovaries for your age, indicating that the quantity of eggs is sufficient to conceive.

A low AMH level indicates that your egg reserve is declining. This can be due to either age or some medical issues. A low AMH level would mean that it would be difficult to get pregnant due to a low egg supply. One important thing to note here is that women can still get pregnant naturally even with low AMH levels. This is because AMH levels do not indicate egg quality, and sometimes even a low egg count can result in conception. However, if you are trying to conceive through IVF, a low AMH may lower the chances of successful IVF treatment.

AMH and IVF Success Rates

AMH is often one of the first tests done when planning for IVF because it helps doctors personalise your treatment.

Here’s how AMH levels will affect your IVF journey

• AMH levels help guide medication dosage : Women with lower AMH may need higher stimulation doses to recruit more eggs. In contrast, those with higher AMH levels may need lower stimulation doses to prevent overstimulation.
• AMH levels help predict egg retrieval count : Higher AMH often means more eggs can be collected, increasing the chance of creating healthy embryos.

While AMH testing is an essential guide on the IVF journey, it is important to note that it is not the only factor predicting IVF success rates. Age, sperm quality, and general reproductive health all play major roles in IVF success.

Clinical evidence shows that while women with higher AMH levels tend to produce more eggs, pregnancy outcomes ultimately depend on egg quality, which naturally declines with age. A 30-year-old with slightly low AMH might still have a better chance of conceiving than a 42-year-old with a higher level, simply because younger eggs are healthier.

Can AMH Levels Be Improved?

AMH levels indicate how many eggs are present at any given time in the ovaries. Now the egg reserve in the ovaries can be affected due to several factors, including age, stress, lifestyle habits, ovarian surgery, and some medical conditions.

Some steps can improve overall ovarian health, which in turn can better support pregnancy. Here is what you can do:

• Take a healthy, balanced diet : A healthy diet ensures you get all the nutrition you need to improve your reproductive health. This also means that you must avoid highly processed foods that are not good for your health.
• Go for regular exercise & weight management : A healthy weight is key to reproductive health. Also, regular exercise and strength training work wonders for your overall physical and mental health.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol : Smoking, alcohol consumption, and the use of other recreational drugs can have a lasting impact on your ovarian health over time.
• Opt for supplements to support ovarian health : Multivitamins, Folate or folic acid supplements, DHEA, and CoQ10 are sometimes recommended to support egg quality and mitochondrial health, especially before IVF. Always consult your physician before opting for any supplements.

One must never forget that a woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have. New eggs cannot be created. These eggs stay inside tiny fluid-filled sacs called follicles in the ovaries. Each month, a few follicles start to grow, and usually only one releases a mature egg during ovulation. AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) is produced by small, growing follicles, so it indicates how active the ovaries are.

So when AMH levels rise, it doesn’t mean more eggs have been created; that’s not possible. What it usually means is that the existing follicles or egg sacs are becoming more active or responding better to hormones at that time. It reflects healthier, more active follicles and better fertility potential. So the ovaries appear more functional, but the total egg reserve remains the same. This improved ovarian function can better support IVF treatments.

Conclusion

AMH is an important diagnostic tool, especially in the IVF journey. It helps doctors gain valuable insights into their patients’ reproductive health. It is also crucial for women to understand that AMH levels naturally decline with age, reflecting the gradual reduction in egg quantity. This is completely natural and nothing to worry about.

Whether you’re planning to conceive naturally or through IVF, early testing helps you make informed decisions, explore your options, and approach treatment with realistic expectations.