Low AMH and self-pregnancy: causes of decline, diagnosis, correction options, advice from obstetricians

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

When planning to have a baby, a woman should first of all think about her he alth. After all, it is influenced by a lot of factors. Initially, it is recommended to take tests for hormones. The most revealing is the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) produced by the ovaries. Its deviation from the norm can lead to serious consequences. Let's see if pregnancy is possible with low AMH.

AMH functions

Antimüllerian hormone plays a very important role in the female body. Undoubtedly, men also have it, but its level is much lower. In women, it is produced by the ovaries and regulates the maturation of eggs. Therefore, it is likely that pregnancy with low AMH is possible, although very difficult.

AMH in men

It has been scientifically proven that, up to a certain point, male and female embryosfemales develop in the same way. They have a special tube called the Mullerian duct. It is named after the German scientist who discovered this formation. From 9-10 weeks of embryonic development in boys, this duct resolves. The same anti-Mullerian hormone is responsible for this. In the future, it continues to be produced in the testes in small quantities.

As for the female fetuses, they form the uterus and partially the vagina from this Mullerian duct. At 32 weeks, girls begin to produce this hormone, but its level is still low. It remains so until the girl reaches puberty.

AMH and FSH

AMH affects the production of estrogens under the influence of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). However, the relationship of these two hormones in no way affects the woman's menstrual cycle. This is because anti-Mullerian hormone is produced independently of FSH. Therefore, pregnancy with low AMH and high FSH is quite possible. By the way, low AMH usually results in high FSH.

FSH production is quite independent. It does not depend on the lifestyle that a woman leads, or on food, or even on hormonal drugs. In addition, it is not affected even by a previous pregnancy or childbirth.

If during puberty the indicator of this hormone does not correspond to the norm, then the diagnosis of infertility is likely.

On the indicator of this hormone affects only the number of eggs in the female body. That,how quickly they are used up shows the level of AMH.

Therefore, we can conclude that self-pregnancy with high FSH and low AMH is possible, but may be difficult. After all, this ratio of indicators indicates that the supply of eggs in the ovaries is sufficient, but they are immature. In this case, before conceiving a child, your gynecologist will most likely recommend hormone therapy to increase the number of mature eggs.

Why do you need to know the AMH?

Low AMH and self-pregnancy are quite closely related concepts. And if a woman wants to conceive a child without medical intervention, then you need to know the hormone level.

In addition, using this indicator, you can also judge the following points:

• probability of having children in general;
• probability of having a child naturally;
• cases where artificial insemination is necessary;
• time of onset of menopause (possible forecast for 4 years before the decline in reproductive function).

Experts recommend regularly monitoring the level of AMH in the blood. You can start doing this already from the appearance of the first menstruation. This hormone tends to constantly decrease. The chance of natural pregnancy with low AMH will be higher if this decline is noticed in time. Otherwise, you need to freeze the woman's biological material while the hormone is still normal.

AMH changes with age

The question of low AMH and independent pregnancy can arise in a woman at any age. It is important to know how this hormone behaves at different stages of a woman's life. However, do not forget that each organism is individual and the hormone indicator will depend on what the woman’s egg supply was originally. That is why many women are unable to conceive at the age of 25, as their supply of eggs dries up.

So, the content of the hormone begins to increase during puberty. This is about 12-14 years old. Then, having overcome all hormonal changes, at the age of 20-30, the content of the hormone becomes maximum. It is during this period of time that obstetricians-gynecologists recommend giving birth to children. Indeed, after 30 and until the onset of menopause, the hormone content drops, and pregnancy with a low level of AMH will be difficult.

When menopause occurs, the ovaries cease to function and, accordingly, the hormone level drops to zero.

Ovarian reserve

The study of this reserve when planning pregnancy is of great diagnostic importance. It is also called follicular reserve. That is, this is the number of follicles at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, which can later become mature viable eggs.

Knowing this very reserve, a natural pregnancy or artificial insemination is planned. Reviews of pregnancy with low AMH show that an egg taken from the reserve and frozen is a guarantee of motherhood in the future.

The state of the ovarian reserve depends onfollowing factors:

• age;
• diseases of the reproductive system;
• radiation, chemotherapy;
• smoking.

Normal AMH

If your AMH is higher than 7.3 ng/mL, it means you have an elevated hormone level. This may indicate the presence of pathological processes in the ovaries. In addition, this effect can be observed with a late onset of puberty or after infertility treatment with hormonal drugs (ovarian hyperstimulation).

The normal average AMH is 4-7.3 ng/mL. Moreover, an indicator of 2, 2-4 ng / ml is also considered a normal option.

If the indicator is from 0.3 to 2.2 ng / ml, then this is considered low AMH and independent pregnancy is unlikely, but still possible. But with an indicator of less than 0.3, it is impossible to get pregnant.

Decreased hormone levels: causes

Like an elevated level of a hormone, a low level also does not indicate the normal functioning of the ovaries. This may indicate one of the following conditions:

• pathology of ovarian development;
• early onset puberty;
• anomalies in the functioning of the gonads and lack of hormone production;
• menstrual irregularity;
• decrease in the number of he althy mature eggs;
• primary follicle reduction;
• early menopause;
• ovarian dysfunction;
• endometriosis;
• oncological diseases of the reproductiveorgans.

The most important thing in this situation is early diagnosis and treatment. After all, if you detect a decrease in the hormone in time, you can correct the situation. And then even a pregnancy with a very low AMH may be possible. It is only important not to despair and strictly follow the instructions of a specialist.

Is high AMH dangerous?

Obviously, a very low AMH pregnancy will have its fair share of complications. However, the increased content of the hormone can cause trouble. Namely:

• infertility;
• slow sexual development;
• violation of the functioning of the endocrine and sex glands and, as a result, the lack of ovulation;
• reducing the sensitivity of receptors to luteinizing hormone;
• oncological diseases of the ovaries and the entire reproductive system.

As well as a low level of a hormone, an increased level requires correction. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the increase in performance. Unfortunately, pills that help reduce the level of AMH in the blood have not yet been invented.

How to increase AMH?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question will be disappointing. Most likely, the reason for such low rates is a disease of the female reproductive system. In this case, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination.

As we have already mentioned, a low value is from 0.3 to 2.2 ng/ml. If the indicator is less than 0.3 ng / ml, then it's time to sound the alarm, since this condition is critical for a woman who wants to become pregnant. Low AMHand independent pregnancy in this case are impossible.

Medicine has not yet invented drugs that can increase the level of AMH. Yes, and you need to fight not with a low indicator, but with the cause, that is, with the disease, which indicates a low content of the substance.

The way out in this situation may be the procedure of artificial insemination. But even here there are difficulties. IVF requires mature eggs, which, unfortunately, the patient does not have. Then you can use a donor egg.

Pregnancy with low AMH

Reading reviews about low AMH and independent pregnancy, we can conclude that with the timely detection of a reduced indicator, there is a chance to conceive a child. It is important to choose the right treatment and do it on time. You can increase AMH by eliminating the cause of the decrease.

Decreased levels of anti-Müllerian hormone can cause stress and increased physical activity. Therefore, it can be increased simply by eliminating these conditions. In this case, calmness and rest will be the best medicines.

But to deal with such a cause as the early onset of menopause is much more difficult. In addition, this condition of a woman's body is often the cause of a decrease in AMH. As you know, there are no pills for old age. And menopause just signals that the body begins to age and reproductive function suffers in the first place.

Also, when taking tests for AMH, it is necessary to inform about taking hormonal drugs. Unlike FSH, anti-Müllerian hormoneinfluenced by hormonal drugs. All this can distort the result of the analysis.

Usually, when a low indicator is detected, they do not seek to increase it. The issue of the expediency of stimulating the ovaries with hormonal drugs in order to produce a mature viable egg is being addressed. Or an IVF procedure is planned. By the way, follicle stimulation is one of the preparatory stages of the artificial insemination procedure.

In such a situation, it is important not to self-medicate. While you stuff yourself with ineffective means, you are missing out on precious time to conceive a child. After all, without knowing the true reason for the decrease in AMH, you can only harm your he alth, so much so that in the future you will not be able to have children at all.

When should I get tested?

When a woman wants to become a mother, she must be examined. This is especially true for those couples who have not been able to become parents for a long time. By the way, it is important to take tests not only for a woman, but also for a man.

It is also recommended to get tested in the following cases:

• menstrual disorders;
• female reproductive he alth examination;
• surgery;
• failed IVF attempts;
• late pregnancy planning;
• ovarian dysfunction;
• early puberty.

Analysis: what you need to know?

When planning a pregnancy, every woman should be tested for AMH. Know the results of tests for gonadotropic andsex hormones are necessary for successful conception and a he althy pregnancy. After all, in this case, you can correct them in time.

In order to do an analysis for AMH, blood is taken from a vein. A woman at this point should be on the 5th day of her menstrual cycle. In addition, 3 days before the procedure, you need to avoid stressful situations and exclude physical activity. It is also forbidden to take alcoholic beverages the day before blood sampling. Taking hormonal drugs that increase other hormones may distort laboratory data.

As for eating, the last time you need to eat a few hours before bedtime. The analysis is taken on an empty stomach, you can not eat or drink anything. It is also recommended not to smoke before the test.

You should also tell your clinician and your he althcare provider if you have had an acute illness recently.

It is important not to despair when you see a result that is different from the norm. All people are individual and perhaps in your case everything is reversible.