If you’ve been dreaming of starting a family and are actively planning to start trying – or perhaps you’ve already been trying without any success – understanding more about your reproductive potential can provide helpful insight and aid you in making informed decisions about your fertility. Why is the AMH test considered to be such an important part of gauging a woman’s fertility? Is it really an essential fertility test? Let’s explore as we get answers to your burning questions.
AMH fertility test: What is it?
Before we talk about what is an AMH fertility test, let us first explore the role of a fertility test.
A fertility test can help couples to understand their reproductive capabilities in depth and make informed decisions about their pregnancy journey. For a couple who is actively trying to get pregnant but hasn’t yet conceived, a fertility test can be beneficial. These tests often help to reveal any underlying health issues which may be acting as a barrier to pregnancy.
Physiological conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes or thyroid disorders are surprisingly common in women and can make the conception journey significantly more challenging, and in some cases, impossible naturally. Thankfully, fertility tests such as transvaginal ultrasound scans, saline hysterography, and the AMH test can all be extremely helpful in aiding early detection of these and other such fertility issues.
The AMH egg counting test is arguably one of the most well-known – and important – fertility tests. The Anti-Müllerian Hormone test, also referred to as the AMH test, aids in determining the number of eggs available in a female’s ovarian reserve – whether it is in-line with the average for a woman’s age, or lower than expected.
To put things in perspective, a female is born with a finite number of eggs in her ovarian reserve (widely considered to be around 1-2 million eggs). These eggs, however, deplete as women get older, with environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to faster decline. During conception, the number of eggs in the ovarian reserve can vastly influence an individual’s chances of getting pregnant, which is why the AMH test is given such reverence.
The AMH egg counting test works on the simple principle of measuring the AMH hormone levels in the body. This hormone is produced by the follicles (cysts containing the eggs) which indicate their presence. The higher the levels of these in your blood, the larger the ovarian reserve. For a 30 year old, an AMH level of 2.5 ng/mL would be considered normal. For those wondering if the menstrual cycle stage can influence this reading? No. The AMH test can be carried out at any point in the menstrual cycle.
Vitamin D and the ovarian reserve
There has been some that supports the idea that adequate levels of vitamin D in the body can contribute to higher levels of AMH in the body. However, we do not suggest supplementing without consulting your doctor. Instead, you can speak with this .
What affects the ovarian reserve?
Although age is the main contributing influence on the ovarian reserve, there are many lifestyle factors that can also have an impact. These include, but are certainly not limited to factors such as:
Constant weight fluctuations and changes in Body Mass Index (BMI)