AMH, or anti-Müllerian hormone, is a special kind of protein that is produced by the developing ovarian follicles. It generally acts as an indicator of ovarian reserve, which is the quantity and quality of eggs a woman has in her body. Moving forward to testing, the AMH test, which is a blood test, is used to examine the level of AMH in the blood of a woman.
It is important to understand the AMH levels for women who want to get pregnant, especially those who are undergoing fertility treatments. AMH test is designed specifically to provide crucial and complete information about a woman’s reproductive health. It also helps in determining the best course of action for making the woman fertile for achieving pregnancy.
Importance of AMH Test
Like other blood tests, AMH holds its own importance due to several reasons. Let’s explore why it is essential to get an AMH test:
- Predicting ovarian reserve: Doctors recommend that women with fertility issues take an AMH test to evaluate their AMH levels so that they can assess their ovarian reserve.
- Assessing fertility potential: AMH can easily identify the chances of natural conceiving or through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).
- Guiding treatment decisions: AMH levels can assist in selecting the most appropriate fertility treatments, such as IVF or medication.
- Timing egg freezing: For women who want to preserve their fertility, AMH can help determine the optimal time to freeze eggs.
What is The Procedure for AMH Testing at Home?
With the evolution of technology in the medical industry, now patients can get tested at home without going out to visit a clinic or hospital. They can avoid the hassle of long commutes, transport expenses, and long waits in a conventional medical setting. The AMH test is a blood test which is now made simple with the home healthcare services; let’s explore how it works:
- Schedule Your Test
The first step to getting an AMH test done at home is to schedule an appointment with a reputable home lab test provider. As soon as you schedule an AMH test to be conducted at home, the team of professionals arrives at your doorstep at your specified time and availability.
- Blood Sample Collection
The medical professionals take precautionary measures and take a blood sample by pricking your finger. They ensure your safety and secrecy while collecting the sample. Once the sample is collected, it is taken in a temperature-controlled box.
- Sample Testing
Once the team of medical experts collects your blood sample for the AMH fertility test, they take it to certified laboratories to test the sample using the latest technology. The sample is handled with care in order to get the most accurate results.
- Results
When the testing is done, the medical professionals generate a detailed report about the AMH test and send it to you within a few days as soon as the testing is completely performed and the results are achieved.
Connection Between AMH & Fertility
Let’s learn the relationship between AMH and fertility in detail to give you an overview of how AMH is linked to fertility.
- Lower AMH levels
As we discussed earlier, AMH levels indicate that ovarian reserves are present in females. This shows that if an individual’s AMH levels are low, it means the ovarian reserve is also lower. This makes the natural conceiving more complex.
- Higher AMH levels
In the same way, if the AMH test indicates that the AMH levels are higher, the ovarian reserve is greater, which is a good sign for fertility. However, it is essential to consider other factors that can influence fertility, such as the quality of eggs.
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What to Do if AMH Levels are Low?
If a woman is tested and the AMH levels are low, then this is a crucial sign of infertility, as the ovarian reserves are also low. However, there are various options to consider in such conditions; let’s have a look:
- Lifestyle Changes
Many doctors from all around the world recommend females adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes the consumption of a balanced diet, routine exercise or physical activity, and stress management. These lifestyle changes can help in resolving fertility issues.
- Fertility Treatments
Fertility problems may occur to anyone, especially in the case of women who get stressed. Worrying about your fertility is natural, but too much stress can lead to many other diseases, so avoid stress and go for other effective methods, such as ARTs and IVF that can help women with low AMH levels.
Risks Associated with Low AMH Levels
If you’re thinking about the risks with low AMH levels, then read them:
- Infertility
If a woman’s AMH test shows low AMH levels, then this can increase the risk of infertility, leading to difficulty in getting pregnant.
- Premature Menopause
If a woman is detected with low AMH levels, it increases the chances of her getting pregnant and stopping her menstrual cycle. This is also known as the menopause, which means the woman may not experience periods.
- Difficulty Conceiving Naturally
Women with lower-than-usual AMH levels may find it difficult to conceive without assisted reproductive technologies, which means their chances are very low to conceive naturally.
Factors Affecting AMH Levels
As we discussed the risks associated with low AMH levels, let’s discuss the several factors that can influence AMH levels:
- Age
Age is one of the factors that affect our overall health, and in this case, as you age, the AMH levels decline naturally with the increase in age.
- Genetics
Not only do the other factors affect AMH levels, but one more critical factor that influences AMH production is genetics, as hereditary factors can also affect AMH levels.
- Medical Conditions
Woman with some specific medical conditions, such as PCOS or autoimmune disorders, have the chance of getting their AMH levels affected.
- Lifestyle Factors
A lot of females nowadays experience stress, have an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and lack exercise. But you know what’s even more alarming? These factors have a direct impact on AMH production, so it is vital to avoid stress, eat a healthy diet, and include exercise in your routine.
The Final Words
In a nutshell, it is crucial to understand how vital AMH levels are for women who are on their way to conceiving or planning to get pregnant in the future. However, with complete insights about your AMH levels, it can be easy to make well-informed decisions about your reproductive health and discover the perfect options for getting pregnant. Moreover, it is recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional in order to discuss your concerns about AMH levels.
