Tag: amh

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is one of the most talked-about fertility hormones, but also one of the most misunderstood. Because AMH is closely linked to your eggs, testing it can offer valuable insight into your ovarian reserve (the number of eggs you have left). But it’s not a fertility “yes or no” test. In this guide, we break down exactly what AMH testing can and can’t tell you about your reproductive health.  Quick facts: What is AMH and why is it so important? Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is made by small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries called follicles, each of which houses an immature egg. Because AMH is made by these follicles, your AMH level gives an indication of how many eggs you may have remaining at a given time. However, this is only one piece of the fertility puzzle. There are a few myths out there about what exactly AMH testing can tell us. In this article, we cover the main things an AMH test can and can’t tell you. Let’s get into it. What can AMH testing tell me? Whether your ovarian reserve is a normal for your age AMH testing will give you insights into whether your ovarian or egg reserve is what is expected with other healthy people in your age group. It helps you understand whether your egg reserve is higher, average, or lower than expected for your age. If you are not using any hormonal contraception, testing other hormones, like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol alongside AMH can also help to build a more complete picture of egg reserve. Generally, people with low egg reserves are known to have higher levels of FSH and lower levels of oestradiol. Whether you have polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovary syndrome AMH testing can also be used as an indicator of whether you could have polycystic ovaries (PCO). PCO is a common reproductive health condition affecting around 30% of reproductive-aged people assigned female-at-birth. PCO is benign and does not affect fertility, but it can cause other unwanted symptoms.  People with PCO have a higher-than-expected number of immature follicles in their ovaries. More follicles mean a higher level of AMH in the blood.  Some people with PCO also have the syndrome that can be associated with it polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which often presents as symptoms like irregular periods, acne, hair thinning or loss and high testosterone levels. According to updated guidelines, AMH can now be used as an indicator for polycystic ovaries in place of doing an ultrasound scan for the diagnosis of PCOS. However, at Hertility, we would always recommend getting a pelvic ultrasound scan to further assess your ovarian reserve. During this scan, your ovaries are assessed to determine your antral follicle count (the number of eggs sacs seen within your ovaries) and to confirm the diagnosis. Whether IVF or egg freezing could be right for you In fertility treatment settings, AMH plays an important role in guiding decisions around interventions such as IVF and egg freezing . It is commonly used to estimate how the ovaries may respond to stimulation and to guide medication dosing.  Lower AMH levels are generally associated with retrieving fewer eggs during IVF, while higher levels may indicate a stronger response but also carry a risk of developing a rare but potentially life threatening condition called OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). This makes AMH a valuable tool for planning treatment safely and effectively. Many NHS-funded and private IVF clinics therefore require a minimum AMH level for you to be eligible for a free IVF treatment cycle. The minimum level on the NHS will depend on where in the UK you are currently residing. Whether you may be perimenopausal or menopausal or have POI Menopause marks the point at which your periods stop permanently, typically between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age for menopause in the UK being 51. After menopause, natural conception is no longer possible. It is associated with a very low, or completely depleted, ovarian reserve. Clinically, menopause is usually diagnosed retrospectively, after 12 consecutive months without a period in someone not using hormonal contraception. In individuals under the age of 45, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is more commonly used as a diagnostic marker, as levels tend to rise when ovarian function declines. While AMH is not currently recommended as a standalone test to diagnose menopause, it is well established that AMH levels fall to very low levels as ovarian reserve diminishes. This makes AMH a useful indicator of overall ovarian activity. Declining or very low AMH levels can suggest that you are approaching menopause, although it cannot predict the exact timing. In younger individuals, particularly those under 40, significantly low AMH levels may raise suspicion of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition in which the ovaries stop functioning earlier than expected. What can’t AMH testing tell me? While AMH testing is a useful tool for understanding your ovarian reserve, it only represents one part of your overall fertility picture. There are several important limitations to be aware of, and understanding these can help you interpret your results more accurately and avoid common misconceptions. It can’t determine your egg quality One of the biggest limitations is that AMH cannot tell you anything about your egg quality. Although AMH reflects the number of eggs you may have remaining, it does not provide any insight into how healthy those eggs are. Egg quality is one of the most important factors influencing fertility and pregnancy outcomes, and it is largely driven by age and genetics. At present, there is no reliable test to measure egg quality directly, except through assessing embryos during IVF treatment. It can’t determine your exact egg quantity AMH also cannot determine your exact number of eggs. While it gives an indication of the size of your ovarian reserve, it is not a precise measurement. This is because AMH is made by ovarian follicles, and each follicle can release different amounts of the hormone depending on its size and […]

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is one of the most talked-about fertility hormones, but also one of the most misunderstood. Because AMH is closely linked to your eggs, testing it can offer valuable insight into your ovarian reserve (the number of eggs you have left). But it’s not a fertility “yes or no” test. In this guide, we break down exactly what AMH testing can and can’t tell you about your reproductive health.  Quick facts: What is AMH and why is it so important? Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is made by small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries called follicles, each of which houses an immature egg. Because AMH is made by these follicles, your AMH level gives an indication of how many eggs you may have remaining at a given time. However, this is only one piece of the fertility puzzle. There are a few myths out there about what exactly AMH testing can tell us. In this article, we cover the main things an AMH test can and can’t tell you. Let’s get into it. What can AMH testing tell me? Whether your ovarian reserve is a normal for your age AMH testing will give you insights into whether your ovarian or egg reserve is what is expected with other healthy people in your age group. It helps you understand whether your egg reserve is higher, average, or lower than expected for your age. If you are not using any hormonal contraception, testing other hormones, like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol alongside AMH can also help to build a more complete picture of egg reserve. Generally, people with low egg reserves are known to have higher levels of FSH and lower levels of oestradiol. Whether you have polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovary syndrome AMH testing can also be used as an indicator of whether you could have polycystic ovaries (PCO). PCO is a common reproductive health condition affecting around 30% of reproductive-aged people assigned female-at-birth. PCO is benign and does not affect fertility, but it can cause other unwanted symptoms.  People with PCO have a higher-than-expected number of immature follicles in their ovaries. More follicles mean a higher level of AMH in the blood.  Some people with PCO also have the syndrome that can be associated with it polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which often presents as symptoms like irregular periods, acne, hair thinning or loss and high testosterone levels. According to updated guidelines, AMH can now be used as an indicator for polycystic ovaries in place of doing an ultrasound scan for the diagnosis of PCOS. However, at Hertility, we would always recommend getting a pelvic ultrasound scan to further assess your ovarian reserve. During this scan, your ovaries are assessed to determine your antral follicle count (the number of eggs sacs seen within your ovaries) and to confirm the diagnosis. Whether IVF or egg freezing could be right for you In fertility treatment settings, AMH plays an important role in guiding decisions around interventions such as IVF and egg freezing . It is commonly used to estimate how the ovaries may respond to stimulation and to guide medication dosing.  Lower AMH levels are generally associated with retrieving fewer eggs during IVF, while higher levels may indicate a stronger response but also carry a risk of developing a rare but potentially life threatening condition called OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). This makes AMH a valuable tool for planning treatment safely and effectively. Many NHS-funded and private IVF clinics therefore require a minimum AMH level for you to be eligible for a free IVF treatment cycle. The minimum level on the NHS will depend on where in the UK you are currently residing. Whether you may be perimenopausal or menopausal or have POI Menopause marks the point at which your periods stop permanently, typically between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age for menopause in the UK being 51. After menopause, natural conception is no longer possible. It is associated with a very low, or completely depleted, ovarian reserve. Clinically, menopause is usually diagnosed retrospectively, after 12 consecutive months without a period in someone not using hormonal contraception. In individuals under the age of 45, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is more commonly used as a diagnostic marker, as levels tend to rise when ovarian function declines. While AMH is not currently recommended as a standalone test to diagnose menopause, it is well established that AMH levels fall to very low levels as ovarian reserve diminishes. This makes AMH a useful indicator of overall ovarian activity. Declining or very low AMH levels can suggest that you are approaching menopause, although it cannot predict the exact timing. In younger individuals, particularly those under 40, significantly low AMH levels may raise suspicion of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition in which the ovaries stop functioning earlier than expected. What can’t AMH testing tell me? While AMH testing is a useful tool for understanding your ovarian reserve, it only represents one part of your overall fertility picture. There are several important limitations to be aware of, and understanding these can help you interpret your results more accurately and avoid common misconceptions. It can’t determine your egg quality One of the biggest limitations is that AMH cannot tell you anything about your egg quality. Although AMH reflects the number of eggs you may have remaining, it does not provide any insight into how healthy those eggs are. Egg quality is one of the most important factors influencing fertility and pregnancy outcomes, and it is largely driven by age and genetics. At present, there is no reliable test to measure egg quality directly, except through assessing embryos during IVF treatment. It can’t determine your exact egg quantity AMH also cannot determine your exact number of eggs. While it gives an indication of the size of your ovarian reserve, it is not a precise measurement. This is because AMH is made by ovarian follicles, and each follicle can release different amounts of the hormone depending on its size and […]

Fertility testing is much more common than it used to be. But with the growth in the at-home fertility testing market, how do you know which one is best? In this article, we explain why Hertility is a cut above the other at-home tests available.   Quick facts: What at-home testing can tell you Whilst there is no way to 100% definitively determine how fertile you are, testing our hormones can give us key insights into the functioning of our reproductive health and ovarian reserve (egg count).   There are a whole range of different hormones that can work hard to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation. If just one becomes imbalanced, it can throw the whole system off.  At Hertility, we’ve spent years building the most accurate diagnostic tool in female health and our tests can give indicative diagnoses within just 10 days of testing.  We don’t believe in doing things in halves—so unlike a lot of other at-home tests on the market, we provide full end-to-end care. Here’s what to expect with each step of our test.  Online Health Assessment  Your test starts with an Online Health Assessment. It takes around 5 minutes to complete and is essentially everything you would cover in an initial private gynaecologist appointment before being referred for a hormone test.  Up to 60 questions cover your medical history, period and cycle, symptoms and individual biomarkers. Each question has been carefully selected to build a 360-degree view of your health and fertility.  Our proprietary algorithm will then determine your risk factors, using 835,000 data variables, for various conditions or hormone imbalances. You’ll then be recommended a personalised hormone panel for your test, based on the analysis of your Online Health Assessment results.  Some other at-home tests don’t include this crucial step and will simply test you for a generic hormone panel. Which hormones do Hertility test? Depending on the outcome of your recommended panel, your test could include the following hormones:  Some fertility tests will only look at E2, LH, FSH and testosterone. These are all very useful in determining how your menstrual cycle is working, but without looking at the full picture and the interplay between different hormones, you’ll only be able to get half the picture.  That’s why we take a comprehensive, whole-body approach when it comes to your hormones and fertility.  You’ll receive your at-home test kit with your personalised panel 3-5 days after you place your order. Our kits are easy-to-use with detailed instructions on each step with links to video instructions. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) A key part of any fertility test is measuring the levels of a hormone called Anti-Müllerian Hormone or AMH. Produced by the cells in your developing eggs, AMH can be used as a really powerful indicator of how many eggs you have left.  Studies comparing the levels of AMH with the number of eggs seen on a pelvic ultrasound scan (when done on the same day of your cycle) have shown AMH to be a reliable way to gauge egg count.  After peaking in your 20’s, AMH levels decline, dropping more rapidly after your mid-30s. However, this rate of decline differs from person to person so it’s important to test regularly to understand what this rate of decline looks like for you.  Based on over 10 years of clinical research, AMH is established as the single most important marker of ovarian reserve and forms a core part of our advanced hormone and fertility test. AMH will always feature in your hormone panel, however, it’s important to know that if you’re currently taking hormonal contraception this can temporarily suppress your AMH. Although you can still test AMH while on contraception and get valuable insights, we recommend waiting three months after coming off contraception to give the most accurate results.  Furthermore, research has found that AMH has the potential to be used as an indicator of when someone will go through menopause, a predictor of fertility treatment success and can be used when diagnosing reproductive health conditions such as PCOS & POI.   A fertility test isn’t all about AMH. AMH alone cannot give you the entire picture, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. So, when looking at your fertility, and overall reproductive health, it’s crucial to take a whole-body approach.  Results and follow-up doctor-written report Just 10 days after sending your test kit back to us, you’ll be able to access your hormone results in your online health hub. Each hormone result comes with an explanation, so you can easily understand what your result means.  Along with your results, you’ll receive a doctor-written report that will consider your Online Health Assessment results alongside your blood work. Your dedicated doctor will outline a care plan based on any symptoms you might be experiencing and will recommend any onward care or treatments should you need them. The takeaway At Hertility, we care deeply about your health and well-being. Our mission is to arm women with the answers they need about their reproductive health so that they can make informed decisions about their futures. Our Online Health Assessment and at-home test kits have been rigorously quality tested and are CQC-approved, MHRA-regulated and CE-marked. Start your Health Assessment here.

AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) is a hormone made by the small, developing follicles in your ovaries. Measured with a simple blood test, and is a marker of your ovarian reserve or broadly, how many eggs you have left. It reflects egg quantity, not quality, and it’s one important piece of your wider fertility picture, not the whole story. If you’ve come across it while looking into your fertility, egg freezing, or “checking your egg count,” you’re in the right place. Here’s what AMH actually is, what your result can and can’t tell you. Quick facts: What is AMH? Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is made by cells surrounding the small, developing follicles in your ovaries. Each of these follicles contains an immature egg. Because the number of these follicles is related to the size of your remaining egg pool, the amount of AMH in your blood can provide an indication of your ovarian reserve. Think of AMH as an indirect marker rather than an egg counter. It cannot tell you exactly how many eggs are left in your ovaries, but it can help show whether your ovarian reserve appears higher, lower or around what would be expected for your age. You’re born with all the eggs you’ll ever have, as we age, both our egg quality and quantity declines. As the pool shrinks, so does your AMH, which is what makes it such a useful window into where your reserve sits for your age. What is a normal AMH level for my age? There is no single normal AMH level that applies at every age. AMH naturally declines as you get older. A level that might be considered relatively low for someone in their 20s could be entirely expected for someone in their early 40s. That means the most useful question is not if you levels are good or bad, but more about how your levels compare with what is expected for someone your age? Broadly, AMH is higher in your twenties and declines through your thirties, with a steeper drop from the mid-thirties onwards, though there’s wide natural variation, and some people have a lower reserve earlier than expected. AMH results are also assay-specific. Different labs use different testing platforms, and because there’s no single international standard for calibrating AMH, a number from one lab can’t be directly compared to a number from another. This is why a result is only meaningful when it’s read against the reference range of the exact lab that ran it. At Hertility, AMH is interpreted using age-stratified reference ranges, so your result is compared with the expected range for people of a similar age rather than against one universal cut-off. Your result should also be interpreted alongside factors such as your cycle history, symptoms, hormonal contraception, medical history and fertility goals. How does AMH change with age? AMH is generally highest earlier in reproductive life and decreases as the ovarian follicle pool declines with age. There is, however, a lot of variation between individuals. Two people of exactly the same age can have quite different AMH levels without either necessarily having a reproductive health problem. This is why age matters so much when interpreting AMH. AMH also shouldn’t be confused with egg quality. Although both egg number and egg quality decline with age AMH measures the follicle pool. It does not tell us whether the eggs within that pool are chromosomally healthy. What does a low AMH level mean? A low AMH result means your ovarian reserve appears lower than expected for your age. It does not mean that you cannot get pregnant. This distinction is really important. AMH is much better at predicting how your ovaries may respond to fertility medication than it is at predicting whether you will conceive naturally. Current NICE guidance specifically says AMH should not be used to predict the chance of pregnancy through spontaneous conception. Instead, AMH or an antral follicle count (AFC) can be used to predict ovarian response when planning assisted conception. So if your AMH is low, it may mean that fewer eggs would be expected to develop during an IVF or egg-freezing stimulation cycle. Depending on your age and plans for pregnancy, it may also be useful information when thinking about fertility timelines. But it does not tell us whether the eggs you have are healthy, whether you are ovulating, whether your fallopian tubes are open, whether there are any issues affecting your uterus or, where relevant, whether sperm factors could affect conception. Does low AMH mean I can’t get pregnant? Many people with low AMH conceive naturally and without difficulty, particularly when they are younger and their egg quality is high. What low AMH does mean is: It tells you that your egg quantity is lower than average for your age. If your AMH is very low, particularly if you are under 40 and also have irregular or absent periods or symptoms associated with early menopause, your doctor may want to investigate further for conditions such as premature or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). AMH alone, however, does not diagnose POI. Does high AMH mean I am fertile and won’t have problems conceiving? A high AMH level usually means there are more small follicles in the ovaries than expected for your age. It does not automatically mean you are more fertile. This is another common misconception about AMH. More follicles may mean a larger ovarian reserve, but natural fertility depends on much more than egg quantity. AMH cannot tell you about egg quality, whether you ovulate regularly, the health of your fallopian tubes or uterus, or sperm quality. Higher AMH is also commonly seen in people with PMOS, formerly known as PCOS, because the ovaries often contain a greater number of small follicles. A high AMH result therefore needs context rather than being interpreted as simply “good”. Can AMH diagnose PMOS or PCOS? AMH can contribute to a PMOS/PCOS assessment in adults, but it cannot diagnose PMOS on its own. Under current international guidance, AMH […]