Amh—understanding The Fertility

Late pregnancy is on the rise across many parts of the globe. A lot of couples are now delaying their plans of having a baby owing to several factors, such as consolidating their relationship. prioritizing career goals over life goals and ensuring financial security to fulfill a child’s need

In the United States, a lot of women were found having their first child at the age of 35, according to a CDC report. In India too, about 20-30 percent of women are reportedly opting for late motherhood.

Thanks to technology, the process of pregnancy and childbirth have undergone a revolution, which aids men and women in fulfilling their desire of having offspring. This, however, comes with a price, in terms of posing a risk to the mother and the child’s health.

“There’s something called Nature vs Nurture. Talking about nature, the chromosomal abnormalities in the eggs of women between the age of 24 and 34 years is much less than those who are more than 34. A woman’s fertility will usually peak between the age of 24-34. From the age of 35, there’s a slight decline in the fertility rate with an increase in chromosomal abnormalities. So, it is important women understand their fertility and avoid delay in conceiving. Also, understand what the current tests and treatments can and can’t do for them. Armed with the knowledge they can make an informed decision.

To determine your chance of getting pregnant or your ovarian reserve—we take into account 4 factors—

1. Age of the woman
2. AMH –Anti Mullerian Hormone
3. Antral Follicle count
4. FSH—follicle-stimulating hormone on day 2/3 of the period.

Here we will discuss AMH.

Q. What is AMH and how does it indicate your fertility?

• Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone secreted by cells in developing egg sacs (follicles). The level of AMH in a woman’s blood is generally a good indicator of her ovarian reserve. Women are born with their lifetime supply of eggs, and these gradually decrease in both quality and quantity with age.
• It is not a predictor of whether a woman will get pregnant spontaneously in the future—irrespective of the values.
• A normal value does not predict that it will stay normal in the future. As fertility declines with age, how rapidly the decline of AMH happens for every woman is different and cannot be predicted.

Q. What are the benefits of AMH testing?

• It is a simple blood test that can be done at any time of the menstrual cycle.
• It tells you about your ovarian reserve along with the other tests and lets you know your reproductive window.
• In case of low levels, you get to know your treatment options and the time of improving fertility with medicines or assisted reproductive techniques (ART).
• You get to know your response in assisted reproductive techniques (ART).

One must remember AMH alone cannot predict the outcome. It has to be done from a standardized lab because the levels tend to vary. One must not be discouraged with abnormal results because you have many treatment options. It is always better to check early to be able to plan and decide. Everyone must avail of preconception counseling before the postponement of conception.