Women are born with a limited number of eggs – something around 1-2 million. Every month after puberty, multiple eggs are released from your ovary to grow and ovulate. Only one egg gets to ovulate while all the other dies.
It means that the number of your eggs keeps going down over time. This quantitative state is called the “Ovarian Reserve.”
The anti-mullerian hormone is a biomarker for maintaining your egg count. Knowing your ovarian reserve through an Anti-Mullerian hormone test lets you take the right steps to utilise the eggs you are left with. Keep reading to understand how the anti-mullerian hormone regulates your ovarian reserve.
What is the Anti-Mullerian Hormone?
The anti-mullerian hormone is a protein hormone released by follicles in your ovaries. These follicles are also known as immature egg sacs. The higher your egg count, the higher the anti-mullerian hormone level in your blood.
What is an Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test?
Technological advancements in science have made predicting your chances of natural pregnancy easier. The anti-mullerian hormone test is a medical exam that measures the egg count in your ovaries. This test gives you a snapshot of your ovarian reserve.
As a woman gets older, her ovarian reserve also decreases. Hence, this leads to lower anti-mullerian hormone levels, further reducing your fertility rate.
The AMH test may indicate the following:
- Your ovarian reserve (egg count)
- Your ability to get pregnant
- Predict the timeline of your menopause
Who Should Go for AMH Test?
There is no particular reason to go for the AMH test. But fertility specialists recommend getting this test once in a while to know your egg count and fertility chances.
The AMH test is extremely helpful for those women seeking to get pregnant or considering any other fertility options, such as IVF.
The test indicates levels of anti-mullerian hormone in your blood that predict your ovarian reserve. We advise going for this test if you are in any of these situations;
- Having trouble conceiving for more than six months
- Planning to delay childbirth if you are younger than 35
- Understanding your chances of pregnancy
- Concerned about factors like family history of early menopause, PCOS, cancer, etc.
- Considering other fertility options, such as IVF, IUI, etc.
- Personal medical history of chemotherapy, endometriosis, or ovarian cancer.
- Symptoms of PCOS
What does AMH Test Tell You?
Your egg count (ovarian reserve) is heavily influenced by the anti-mullerian hormone. The medical test for anti-mullerian hormone measures the egg count in your ovaries. The test for AMH can be done for multiple purposes, including;
- Current status of ovarian reserve
- Chances for successful IVF
- Menopause prediction
- Symptoms for PCOS
- Ovary tumour
- Risk assessment for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
What do AMH Levels Mean?
The anti-mullerian hormone test simply shows the AMH levels in your bloodstream. A doctor can measure your ovarian reserve based on the AMH levels.
The low level of AMH may indicate;
- You have a low chance of getting pregnant
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- You may be at risk of early menopause
- The low success rate for IVF
The high level of AMH shows;
- Better chances of pregnancy
- Optimal ovarian reserve
- Healthy reproductive system
- The high success rate for IVF
- Risk of PCOS
Final Words
The anti-mullerian hormone declines as you get older. Hence, going for a regular AMH test can help you assess your chances of achieving natural pregnancy.