Can IUI Be Successful With Low AMH? Understanding Your Fertility Options

Introduction

A low AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) level suggests reduced ovarian reserve, which can be discouraging to women wishing to conceive. It is reasonable for women to ask: Can IUI be successful with low AMH? First, it's important to understand that, while AMH is a measure of remaining egg storage, it does not measure egg quality, nor does AMH dictate pregnancy entirely. Hence, fertility treatments remain a possibility. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) treatment can be helpful for some women, given the right age, health conditions, and egg response to fertility medication. This article talks about how AMH levels impact IUI success and explores various low AMH fertility options for a personalised path to pregnancy.

What Is AMH and Why Is It Important?

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone secreted by the ovarian follicles and is usually a measure of ovarian reserve. In summary, AMH levels provide a snapshot of the number of eggs remaining in a woman's body. AMH levels do not measure the quality, just the quantity of the eggs.

• High AMH generally indicates a good egg reserve, though excessively high levels may be linked to PCOS.
• A lower AMH indicates that fewer eggs are left and can mean that there is a limited window to conceive naturally or with mild interventions.

Many women with lower AMH will still go on to have a natural conception. In assisted modality, such as IUI, it's easier, especially if the woman is younger and routinely ovulating. It is still important to highlight that the quality of eggs is typically stable until the late 30s, regardless of AMH.

Can IUI Be Successful with Low AMH?

Yes, intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be successful even when anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are low. However, the likelihood of success would normally be lower if the number of eggs produced were drastically reduced. AMH is a measure of ovarian reserve, but not the actual quality of the eggs.

Factors That Influence IUI Success with Low AMH:

• Age of the Woman : Women younger than 35 typically respond to ovulation even with low AMH.
• Overall Reproductive Health : A healthy uterus, open fallopian tubes, and a partner's sperm quality are all important factors.
• Presence of Ovulation : Success rates are higher when ovulation occurs regularly or is medically induced.
• Egg Quality : Egg quality is not measured by AMH; some women produce fertile eggs while having low AMH.

Also:

• Younger women (especially under 35) with low AMH may still respond well to ovarian stimulation and an IUI cycle.
• Evaluating the woman’s health early and developing a personalised plan could improve outcomes.

Factors That Improve IUI Success with Low AMH

For women who are engaging in IUI with a low ovarian reserve, preparation is critical, as is expertise. Here are steps that might improve success rates:

• Use of fertility medications : Certain medications can stimulate the development of the egg and thus ramp up your chances of ovulating.
• Close monitoring of follicles : Doctors can monitor you so that you trigger ovulation at the best time.
• Sperm quality assessment : Ensure that male factor infertility does not decrease the opportunity for you to conceive.
• Multiple IUI cycles : Usually, one IUI cycle is often not sufficient. Multiple cycles may be necessary before potentially considering IVF.
• Healthy lifestyle : It is important to quit smoking, have a healthy BMI, and manage stress levels to make sure that you are doing everything that you can to maximise fertility potential.

These strategies will aim to improve your body's response even when you're on the lower side of AMH.

When IUI May Not Be Ideal for Low AMH

IUI with low AMH is doable sometimes, but there are situations where it may not be the best approach. Here is when IUI may not be the best option:

• Severely diminished AMH levels (below 0.5 ng/mL) often mean a very limited reserve of eggs, and stimulation is much less likely to be effective.
• Women who are over 37 may be experiencing both a decreased egg count and a decrease in egg quality, which lowers IUI success rates.
• If you've had multiple failed IUI cycles, it's a sign that alternative fertility options should be considered.
• If there is a poor ovarian response to the fertility medications, the chance of adequate follicle development with
• IUI is unlikely to happen.

In this situation, it is best to consult a fertility expert and seek personalised guidance.

Alternatives to IUI for Low AMH

There are still several fertility treatments that are more suited to women with low AMH and have a greater success rate if IUI isn't working:

1. IVF with Tailored Stimulation

• Allows doctors to retrieve multiple eggs in one cycle.
• Customised medication to enhance ovarian response and raise the likelihood of conception, despite having a low AMH.

2. IVF with Donor Eggs

• For women with low AMH, canalising tests are useful if ovarian response was poor and/or egg quality is grappling and transforming.
• High chance of success if the woman is over 40.

3. Fertility Preservation

• Younger women who have been diagnosed with low AMH may choose to preserve part of their fertile eggs.
• Useful for postponing motherhood due to personal or medical reasons.

These options often offer better outcomes and more control over timing and planning.

Conclusion

So, just to answer your question, can IUI be successful with low AMH? Yes, but there are a few restrictions. Even with a decreased ovarian reserve, IUI may still be an exciting initial choice for women of reproductive age, and younger women in particular, if they are under 35, have regular menstrual cycles, and are generally in relatively good health. Naturally, the likelihood of IUI success drops with age and AMH loss.

The key to a successful outcome is early diagnosis, personalised treatment, and proactive management of the timeline. If you have fertility concerns, getting all of the information and a personalised plan of what is possible, based on your AMH, age, and overall health, is important.

At Indira IVF, we specialise in guiding couples through these complex decisions with care, expertise, and cutting-edge technology - empowering your parenthood journey, every step of the way.