Low amh? what does it really mean for your fertility?
If you’ve just been told your AMH is low, it will probably feel like the ground has massively shifted beneath you.
You might be wondering what it means for your future, whether you’ll need IVF, or if you’ve run out of time. The truth is, AMH is only one piece of the puzzle — and it doesn’t define your ability to conceive. In fact, there’s a lot you can do to support your fertility, naturally and with the right guidance.
Low AMH and being under 40 (or over 40 in lots of cases) does NOT mean you are infertile, despite what prevailing IVF clinic 'wisdom might tell you. Many (but not all!) IVF clinics only use AMH to decide whether to accept you as a client based on their assessment of your potential success. Harsh but true. They’ll also use it to dose your stimulation drugs correctly if they accept you.
There are different ways which AMH presents in terms of your egg number and egg quality. Don’t panic!
AMH will fluctuate each and every month. If you’ve been ill or your sleep is off, your AMH will be lower.
AMH is a complex subject - there are lots of maybes - it’s not that it’s just a fixed number and that’s your number for life or for ever - I see it go up regularly with a holistic approach.
AMH measures your current egg reserve - it’s a snapshot. It can’t tell you about the future. It’s produced by your large developing follicles now, shortly before ovulation.
We can positively influence your AMH through lifestyle, sleep, nutrition, supplementation and fertility acupuncture. Recent research suggests that acupuncture shows effectiveness as a supportive treatment for women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).
You may have high AMH but actually be producing lots of immature follicles each month, as seen in PCOS.
Your AMH may be low but you may be producing a few excellent quality follicles and eggs, rather than lots of lower quality ones.
IVF is not necessarily going to help you if you’re under 40 with low AMH. I’d want to fully investigate male factor, inflammation in your body, possible gut issues, possible immunity issues, plus whether there’s endometrial inflammation affecting your ovarian function.
Low AMH and follicle growth can be bolstered by correct micronutrient supplementation.
Low AMH can be exacerbated by an underactive thyroid - please don’t just accept that your test results are normal - work with a holistic fertility specialist to get your results analysed and your dosage of thyroxine checked, or started.
Low AMH will be affected by the state of your vaginal microbiome. If there’s low-grade infection in your pelvis then your follicle growth and therefore your AMH will be diminished. We can home swab-test this and check all is fully optimised.
Worried about your fertility and not sure what to do next?
Let’s talk. I offer a free discovery call where we can explore how holistic support, including acupuncture, might help.
