My AMH is low: How to increase AMH hormone levels

Low AMH levels: shedding light on what that means (and doesn't)

There are numbers that come out like a verdict. That of the AMH levels, often discovered during a fertility check or a “routine” blood test, is one of them. And when it's announced as low, it immediately raises a question: what does that mean for me? Is it too late? Do we need to take action? Am I still fertile?

What is a low AMH level?

The level of AMH — for anti-Müllerian hormone — is now one of the tests that are increasingly offered in fertility checks. This marker reflects the ovarian reserve, that is, the number of follicles that are still present in the ovaries. These follicles, eventually, can give rise to ovulation, and potentially to pregnancy.

One low AMH levels is often interpreted as a low reserve. In concrete terms, this means that the stock of available oocytes is decreasing, or is already reduced. This is a natural evolution with age, but it can also be influenced by other factors.

The results are generally expressed in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) Or in picomoles per liter (pmol/L). The thresholds vary slightly between laboratories, but some benchmarks are commonly accepted:

That said, these numbers are not to be read alone : age, health context, other hormonal markers must be taken into account to make sense of the result.

Understanding units and thresholds

It is important to note that these thresholds are not universal. They should always be interpreted taking into account age, health context, and reason for dosing. A level of 0.8 ng/mL at 43 years of age will not have the same meaning as at 28 years of age.

An indicator, not a label

Talking about “low” rates can lead to an excessively binary reading: fertile or not, possible or impossible. In reality, theAMH gives an indication of quantity, but no quality. It is therefore essential not to make a verdict out of it.

This number alone says nothing about the ability to conceive naturally, on the evolution of a pregnancy, or on global reproductive health. It should be understood as a Puzzle element, to move forward in your fertility journey.

Why are we interested in it?

Know that you have a low AMH levels may make sense in some contexts:

• if a pregnancy project is being considered, but not immediate;
• if one encounters cycle disorders;
• or simply to have a better visibility on one's fertility at a given time.

But this does not mean that you should always be dosed, or that the figure, once known, must dictate precise behavior.

Why is my AMH level low?

A natural evolution... but not only

The first cause of a low AMH levels, it's time. With age, ovarian reserve decreases. It is a normal, progressive process, part of female biology and that is why it is recommended to Freeze your young oocytes. The AMH level generally peaks around the age of 20 and then begins a slow decline, more pronounced after 35 years. As menopause approaches, it becomes almost undetectable.

This decline is not always due to age alone. Other factors, sometimes less well known, can also influence this rate.

Medical or hormonal factors to consider

• Hormonal contraception : some pills may temporarily lower AMH levels. This does not mean a real decrease in the reserve, but may distort the interpretation if the dosage is carried out under treatment;
• Ovarian surgery : an operation on the ovaries (cyst removal, endometriosis, torsion) can reduce the amount of active ovarian tissue, and therefore the AMH level;
• Endometriosis : this pathology, which affects one in ten women, can also alter ovarian function and impact AMH levels;
• Heavy treatments : chemotherapy, radiation or immunosuppressive treatments may have deleterious effects on ovarian reserve;
• Genetic factors : certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Turner syndrome or family predisposition to early menopause, can cause low levels at a young age.

Other causes that are sometimes more diffuse

Sometimes no clear factors are identified. A young woman, with no history, may have a rate ofLow AMH. It may be a naturally more limited reserve, with no pathological cause. This does not necessarily mean infertility, but deserves special attention if a desire for a child is present or envisaged.

Data to be put into context

Regardless of the factor involved, the low AMH levels should always be interpreted in an overall view: age, medical history, regular cycles, quality of life, weight, family history...

It is not a biological judgment. It is a entry point into a larger discussion, to be conducted with a health professional.

Does a low rate mean infertility?

A link more complex than it seems

Receive a result showing a low AMH levels can cause an immediate effect: the fear of being infertile. However, the biological reality is more nuanced. This rate measures the Quantity of follicles left, but not their ability to give rise to pregnancy.

In other words, a low level may indicate limited ovarian reserve, but It does not mean that pregnancy is impossible.

What studies say about low AMH levels

A 2017 study published in JAMA followed women between the ages of 30 and 44 trying to conceive naturally. Among them, those with a AMH level < 1 ng/mL Have had a 65% pregnancy rate at 6 months, compared to 62% among those with a normal rate. In other words, the difference was negligible.

These data suggest that, under natural conception, AMH is not a reliable indicator of immediate fertility. It remains a reflection of the stock of oocytes, but not of their quality, nor of the ability to conceive spontaneously.

And on the PMA journey?

As part of a in vitro fertilization (IVF), the AMH level is a useful tool for predicting the response to hormonal stimulation. The lower the rate, the higher the risk of a poor response. But that does not mean guaranteed failure and luckily, since PMA procedures depend on many other factors.

Recent data indicates that an AMH level of ≤ 0.2 ng/mL results in 4.4% of pregnancies per cycle, and up to 16% after several cumulative tests. The chances are lower, but they do exist.

The objective is then to properly support patients, to personalize the protocols, and sometimes to adapt the strategies (IVF with egg donation, early vitrification, etc.). This is also why it is key to support medical protocols with lifestyles adapted to fertility or with dietary supplements adapted for fertility and according to your personal case. This is one of the reasons why we launched the “The myth of capsules” program: to demystify fertility supplements and to give the answers by a real health professional specialized on the subject.

Nuances to be integrated into the medical dialogue

One low AMH levels can have the effect of a thunderclap. And yet, above all, it deserves to be Relativized, placed in a larger vision. Because an isolated number says nothing without the elements that surround it: age, regular cycles, medical history, oocyte quality, general health status.

Two women with exactly the same rate can have very different perspectives. So it's not Not the number itself which should guide the future, but how it fits into your overall journey.

Before drawing conclusions, several questions should be asked:

• What is My age ? A low rate at age 40 does not have the same meaning as at age 28;
• What is my health context ? Have I had medical treatments, menstrual disorders, endometriosis?
• Do I have others Hormonal balance available (FSH, LH, estradiol)?
• One antral ultrasound was it done to confirm the number of follicles?

Taking a step back, making the right diagnoses and avoiding hasty decisions is fundamental. You will find some of these answers in our programs on fertility supplements, which can in some cases boost the AMH hormone.

What the AMH rate doesn't say

• He Does not measure quality oocytes;
• He does not predict the date of menopause;
• He does not determine your chances of getting pregnant naturally, especially if you are under 35;
• He does not indicate definite infertility either, even as part of a medical course.

This rate should be cross-referenced with other data : pelvic ultrasound (number of visible follicles), FSH, estradiol levels, fallopian tubes, partner fertility check, etc.

Information as a starting point, no closure

One low AMH levels should never lock up. It can alert, but it doesn't have to worry too much. It is a information to be handled with care, a brick in a more complex building : that of your reproductive health.

Before considering engaging decisions, it is often helpful to:

• Have the dosage confirmed with a standardized method,
• Achieve a global fertility check,
• Talk to a gynecologist or reproductive specialist.

This time of perspective makes it possible to transform a concern into a reflection, and biological data into a real projection tool. And if you feel the need to talk about it, to understand what it means for you, the best thing is always to do it accompanied. Not alone in front of a number, nor in a hurry to act, but well surrounded, to move forward with clarity.

When does this rate affect treatment?

A tool to personalize the fertility journey

The low AMH levels is not an obstacle in itself, but it can guide some medical decisions, especially in the context of a pregnancy project. It is used not for prohibiting, but for adjust. This is precisely where his interest comes to light: in the customizing care.

En medically assisted reproduction (PMA), for example, it allows you to:

• Adjust ovarian stimulation doses;
• Anticipate a weak response to stimulation;
• Consider an oocyte vitrification strategy if necessary.

IVF: better anticipate to better support

In a journey of in vitro fertilization, a low AMH level may suggest that the response to stimulation treatments will be moderate. This does not prevent the process from continuing, but it allows you to better prepare : number of follicles to expect, chances per cycle, adapted protocols.

The medical team will then be able to offer you tailor-made care, sometimes more gradual, sometimes more intensive, according to your preferences and your overall situation.

Consider oocyte vitrification: for whom, when, why?

Among women of under 35 presenting a low AMH levels, this information can encourage you to think about a possible oocyte freezing, if the maternity project is not short-term.

It is not an obligation, nor is it a one-size-fits-all solution. But it can open up a useful thinking time, to put things forward, consider the various options, and make an informed decision without waiting to be at the foot of the wall.

Premature ovarian failure: reinforced follow-up

In some cases, a very low rate detected early (before age 35) may be the first sign of premature ovarian failure. It will then be necessary to complete the exams, and to consider a close follow-up, both reproductive and hormonal (cycle disorders, bone impact, etc.).

Can low AMH levels be increased naturally?

Supporting ovarian reserve: more than just numbers

When the AMH level is low, it is natural to look for levers of action. Can it be increased? Are there foods, supplements, or lifestyle routines that can turn the tide?

The answer is nuanced. To date, There is no natural method that can “raise” AMH sustainably. This hormone reflects a biological reality linked to ovarian reserve, which itself depends largely on age and genetics. Oocytes are not recreated but it is possible to boost their quality.

We can seek to upholding ovarian health, slow down a possible decline, or simply Take care of your reproductive body. Simple, accessible actions can help preserve what is still active.

Nutrition, Antioxidants, and Ovarian Health

Some nutrients seem to have a indirect beneficial impact on ovarian health :

• Vitamin D : it plays a role in hormonal regulation and could be associated with slightly higher AMH levels, especially in women with PCOS;
• Omega-3 fatty acids : present in fatty fish, nuts and seeds, they contribute to the reduction of inflammation and hormonal balance;
• Zinc, selenium and coenzyme Q10 : these antioxidants help fight against oxidative stress, which is known to affect oocyte quality.

The idea is not to overconsume supplements without supervision, but rather to ensure a varied diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, vegetable proteins, and in high quality fat. To help you navigate this Pro-fertility diet, you can discover our program dedicated to the subject, carried out hand in hand with a dietitian specialized in fertility.

Lifestyle: a more powerful tool than you think

The chronic stress, the lack of sleep, the sedentary lifestyle, or even the tobacco, are all elements that can accelerate cellular aging, including in the ovaries. Without directly affecting AMH levels, they can affect ovarian function as a whole.

Adopting a balanced lifestyle doesn't promise dramatic results, but it does create a more favorable environment to fertility, to the hormonal cycle, and to overall well-being.

Dietary supplements: caution and personalization

Many supplements are now offered to boost AMH or fertility. We have to be clear: most have not shown proven effectiveness. Some may be useful in a specific context, but they need to be discussed with a professional specialist before or at least, very well understood at the time of taking.

Preserving rather than increasing

Rather than seeking to increase a low AMH levels, it may be more appropriate to:

• Preserving what's left ovarian reserve;
• avoid aggravating factors;
• and consider projection strategies, such as oocyte freezing, if the situation warrants it.

This amounts to setting a clear intention: to take care of your body, its cycles, and your reproductive health without entering into a logic of performance or repair.

AMH is an important level that can be supported by lifestyle

Learning that one has a low AMH levels may cause a shock wave. This number, apparently cold, can give rise to numerous projections: fear of not being able to conceive, feeling of urgency, questioning your body. And yet, it is important to remember what it is and, above all, what it is not.

The AMH is a partial indicator. It reflects the quantity of oocytes that can still be mobilized, but not The quality of the oocytes. It is neither a verdict nor a judgment. What it can offer, on the other hand, is useful lighting. It allows you to ask the right questions, to find your way around, and sometimes to act a little earlier. But always in a chosen, supported, and not hasty approach.

Faced with this rate, the main thing is not to be left alone. To not try to interpret everything in the shadow of a number. And to remember that fertility is never a straight line. It is made up of nuances, contexts, and above all possibilities. The main thing is to be well informed and that is why we offer you various support programs carried out with specialized health professionals, who share with you their best advice to help you on your journey.

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