AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) test

The Anti-Mullerian (AMH) is a protein hormone produced by the cells in the ovaries. The more ovarian follicles (a sac containing an immature egg) a woman has, the more AMH hormone her ovaries will produce. Measuring the levels of this hormone in a woman’s blood can be a good way of measuring her ovarian reserve – a concept that determines fertility by the number of eggs available in the ovaries.

What is an AMH test?

An anti-mullerian hormone test (AMH) is a marker for ovarian egg reserve assessed via a blood test. As your AMH levels do not change during your menstrual cycle, the test can be taken at any time of the month – even if you are taking oral contraception.

Do I need an AMH test?

You should consider getting an AMH test if:

  • You have been trying to conceive for over six months with no results
  • You are considering IVF or other fertility treatments – low AMH levels can indicate a poor response to treatment. Conversely, a high level of AMH can indicate an exaggerated response to IVF.
  • You suspect an ovarian tumour
  • You have had chemotherapy or ovarian surgery
  • You just want to understand your current fertility position

What do the results mean?

A normal result means that your ovarian reserve is working properly. If your AMH levels are normal and you still haven’t had success in getting pregnant, you may need further tests to determine the problem. It may just be down to your overall lifestyle, so improving your nutrition, exercise and relaxation can help.

If you have a high AMH level, it means that you have too many small follicles, which is usually an indicator of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

If the test reveals that you have low AMH levels, you are likely to respond poorly to the medication involved in conventional IVF. Natural IVF and Modified IVF can be a more suitable treatment for those with a low ovarian reserve. If you would like to learn more about your options with fertility treatment, get in touch with our expert fertility team.

Fertility statistics by age

A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have, which is typically around 1-2 million. By puberty, its usually halved – and every month after than she loses up to 1,000 eggs. Of those eggs, only one (or two) is matured and ovulated each month. Not only does ageing mean fewer eggs, but egg quality is also diminished over time. This is a result of the exposure to illness, toxins, free radicals, fever and more throughout her life – damaging the DNA inside her eggs. It is a natural and inevitable part of ageing.

A woman’s chance of natural pregnancy drops from around 25% at age 25 to less than 5% at the age of 40.

How to increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally with low AMH levels?

A low AMH level means you have a low ovarian reserve but doesn’t mean that you are not able to conceive naturally. Unfortunately, there is no way to increase your AMH levels – but if you are trying to conceive naturally, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

These include:

  • Abdominal massage – massaging your abdomen will increase ovarian functioning by increasing the circulation to the ovaries.
  • Relaxation/meditation – too much stress can lower the chances of becoming pregnant. Allow yourself to take better care of yourself through de-stressing.
  • Vitamin D supplementation – boosting your vitamin D levels can better your fertility chances, as well as contributing to a healthy pregnancy.
  • L-arginine supplementation – 4 to 5 milligrams of this supplement is known to improve ovarian function.

Available at the following clinic

Canary Wharf

0207 132 1440

Open Mon – Fri 8AM to 8PM

 

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Book an appointment

We can schedule your AMH test appointment at a time that is convenient for you, with no waiting lists. Our fertility treatment clinic is open daytime, evening and weekends. You do not need to wait for a referral from your doctor or GP, and can self-refer for an AMH test. You also do not need private health insurance, you can self-pay if you would like.

To book an appointment for a AMH test today, use our online form or contact our Canary Wharf clinic on +44 (0)207 132 1440.

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