If you have been for a fertility check-up or are beginning your IVF journey, you have almost certainly heard the term AMH. It stands for Anti-Müllerian Hormone, and it is one of the most talked-about — and most misunderstood — markers in reproductive medicine. In this article, we explain clearly what AMH is, what your levels mean, and — most importantly — what it does and does not tell us about your chances of having a baby.
What Is AMH?
AMH is a hormone produced by the small follicles (fluid-filled sacs) in your ovaries. Each follicle contains a potential egg. The more follicles you have, the more AMH is produced — so AMH is essentially a measure of how many eggs remain in your ovaries. This is what doctors call your "ovarian reserve."
Unlike many hormones, AMH stays relatively stable throughout your menstrual cycle, which means the test can be taken on any day. A simple blood test is all that is needed.
What Do Your AMH Levels Mean?
| AMH Level (pmol/L) | What It Suggests |
|---|---|
| Over 25 pmol/L | High — may indicate PCOS; higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation |
| 15–25 pmol/L | Normal/Optimal — good ovarian reserve |
| 7–14 pmol/L | Low-Normal — slightly reduced, but IVF is still very achievable |
| 2–6 pmol/L | Low — reduced reserve; personalised IVF protocol recommended |
| Under 2 pmol/L | Very Low — donor egg IVF may be discussed as an option |
What AMH Does NOT Tell You
This is the most important part of this article. AMH tells us about quantity — how many eggs you have. It says very little about quality. And egg quality is arguably more important than quantity when it comes to achieving a successful pregnancy.
Many women with low AMH go on to have successful pregnancies with their own eggs through IVF. At our clinic, we have seen this many times. Do not let a low AMH number take away your hope.
Important: AMH is one piece of the puzzle. We always assess it alongside your antral follicle count (AFC) on ultrasound, your age, your hormone levels, and your partner's semen analysis before forming any conclusions or recommendations.
What Affects AMH Levels?
- Age — AMH naturally declines as you get older, most sharply after 35
- PCOS — often causes elevated AMH due to a high number of small follicles
- Previous ovarian surgery — can reduce AMH if ovarian tissue was removed
- Endometriosis — may affect ovarian reserve over time
- Smoking — has been shown to lower AMH
- Certain medications — contraceptive pills can temporarily suppress AMH readings
If Your AMH Is Low — What Happens Next?
A low AMH does not mean IVF is impossible. It does mean we need to approach your treatment carefully. We may recommend:
- A higher dose of stimulation medication to maximise egg collection
- A modified IVF protocol specifically designed for poor responders
- Freezing eggs or embryos from multiple cycles to build up a collection
- In some cases, exploring donor egg IVF — though this is never our first recommendation
If Your AMH Is High — Is That Always Good?
Not always. Very high AMH — usually seen with PCOS — means a large number of follicles but can also put you at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF. We use a carefully controlled stimulation protocol to keep you safe and comfortable while still collecting a good number of eggs.
Get Your AMH Tested Today
Book a fertility assessment with Dr. Archana Sharma. We will interpret all your results together and create a plan tailored to you.