A recent study published in Fertility and Sterility shows that low levels of antimüllerian hormone (AMH) are associated with reduced chances of conception. This research provides important insights into fertility, especially as many people in the U.S. are choosing to have children later in life and are seeking more information about their fertility window.
AMH is known as the best marker for ovarian reserve. This means it is linked to the number of eggs a woman has and can predict outcomes for fertility treatments. It is also associated with how long it will take for menopause to begin. However, there is not enough evidence to say whether AMH levels can help predict fertility in women who have not been tested for infertility. Some studies have found a positive link between AMH and fertility, but others show no effect.
To explore this further, researchers conducted a study involving 3,150 women, aged 21 to 45 years, who submitted blood samples between August 2018 and March 2023. These women were customers of Modern Fertility, a company that tracks fertility and reproductive health. Blood samples were collected either at home using an at-home kit or through a Quest blood draw.
The study included women who were trying to conceive, tracked their menstrual cycles using the Modern Fertility app, and had started trying to get pregnant within the last three months. Participants who had conditions like premature ovarian insufficiency or certain gonadal disorders were excluded. Baseline information such as height, weight, ethnicity, smoking status, use of fertility assistance, and previous pregnancies was gathered through a digital questionnaire.
AMH levels were measured from blood samples collected on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. The study found that women with a lower AMH level were less likely to get pregnant. Women who were younger, had higher AMH levels, lower body mass index (BMI), and did not have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) had a higher chance of conceiving.
The study also found that increasing age and higher BMI reduced the likelihood of conception. Specifically, low AMH levels were associated with a lower chance of pregnancy compared to normal AMH levels, with an adjusted odds ratio (aHR) of 0.77. There was no significant difference between women with normal and high AMH levels.
For all participants, the likelihood of conception was higher with higher AMH levels, except for those under 30 years old, where normal AMH levels showed the best odds. Conception was most likely during the fourth cycle, with pregnancy rates of 11.2% for low AMH, 14.3% for normal AMH, and 15.7% for high AMH.
The study concludes that low AMH levels are linked to a reduced chance of conception, regardless of age. These findings can help women better understand their fertility and plan their reproductive timeline.
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