When planning to have a baby, a woman should first think about her state of health. Indeed, it is influenced by a lot of factors. Initially recommended to be tested for hormones. The most indicative is the hormone (AMH) produced by the ovaries of antimullers. Its deviation from the norm can lead to serious consequences. Let's see if pregnancy is possible with low AMH.
AMG Functions
Anti-Muller hormone plays a very important role in the female body. Sure, men also have it, but its level is much lower. In women, it is produced by the ovaries and regulates egg maturation. Therefore, it is likely that pregnancy with low AMH is possible, although very difficult.
AMH in men
It is scientifically proven that up to a certain point, male and female embryos develop identically. They have a special tube called the Muller duct. It is named after the German scientist who discovered this education. From 9-10 weeks of embryonic development in boys, this duct resolves. The same anti-muller hormone is responsible for this. In the future, it continues to be produced in the testes in small quantities.
As for the female fetuses, the uterus and partially the vagina are formed from this Muller duct. At a period of 32 weeks, this hormone is already beginning to be produced in girls, but its level is still low. It remains so until the puberty of the girl.
AMG and FSH
AMH affects the formation of estrogens under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone pituitary gland (FSH). However, the relationship of these two hormones in no way affects the woman’s menstrual cycle. This is because anti-muller hormone is produced independently of FSH. Therefore, pregnancy with low AMH and high FSH is quite possible. By the way, usually with low AMH, high FSH is observed.
FSH production is quite independent. It does not depend on the lifestyle that a woman leads, nor on food, nor even on hormonal drugs. In addition, even a previous pregnancy or childbirth does not affect him.
If during puberty the indicator of this hormone does not correspond to the norm, then the diagnosis of infertility is likely.
The indicator of this hormone is affected only by the number of eggs in the female body. How quickly they are consumed shows the level of AMH.
Therefore, we can conclude that independent pregnancy with high FSH and low AMH is possible, but can 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 I need to know the AMG score?
Low AMH and independent pregnancy are quite closely related concepts. And if a woman wants to conceive a child without medical intervention, then it is necessary to know the indicator of the hormone.
In addition, using this indicator, you can also judge the following points:
- the probability of childbearing in general;
- the probability of having a baby in a natural way;
- cases of the need for artificial insemination;
- the onset of menopause (a forecast is possible for 4 years before the onset of a decline in reproductive function).
Experts recommend regularly monitoring the content of AMH in the blood. You can begin to do this already with the appearance of the first menstruation. This hormone has the ability to constantly decrease. The chance of a natural pregnancy with low AMH will be higher if you notice this decline in time. Otherwise, you need to freeze the biological material of the woman while the hormone is still normal.
AMG changes with age
The question of low AMH and independent pregnancy can arise in women 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 indicator of the hormone will depend on what the woman’s initial egg supply was. That is why many women are already 25 years old can not become pregnant, because the supply of their eggs is running out.
So, the hormone content begins to increase during puberty. This is about 12-14 years old. Then, having overcome all hormonal changes, in 20-30 years the hormone content becomes maximum. It is during this period of time that obstetrician-gynecologists recommend giving birth to children. Indeed, after 30 and until the onset of menopause, the hormone content decreases, 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 value. It is also called follicular reserve. That is, this is the number of follicles at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, which can subsequently become mature viable oocytes.
Knowing this very reserve, a natural pregnancy or artificial insemination is planned. Reviews of pregnancy with low AMH show that a taken from the reserve and a frozen egg is a guarantee of motherhood in the future.
The condition of the ovarian reserve depends on the following factors:
- age;
- reproductive system diseases;
- radiation, chemotherapy;
- smoking.
Normal AMG
If your AMG score is higher than 7.3 ng / ml, then this means an increased level of the hormone. 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 averaged AMG score is 4-7.3 ng / ml. Moreover, an indicator of 2.2-4 ng / ml is also considered a variant of the norm.
If the indicator is from 0.3 to 2.2 ng / ml, then this is considered low AMH and spontaneous pregnancy is unlikely, but still possible. But with an indicator of less than 0.3, it is impossible to get pregnant.
Low hormone levels: causes
Like an elevated level of the hormone, its low rate also does not indicate the normal functioning of the ovaries. This may indicate one of the following conditions:
- pathology of ovarian development;
- early puberty;
- abnormalities in the functioning of the gonads and lack of hormone production;
- menstrual irregularities;
- a decrease in the number of healthy mature eggs;
- decrease in primary follicles;
- early menopause;
- ovarian dysfunction;
- endometriosis;
- oncological diseases of the reproductive organs.
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 adjust the situation. And then even a pregnancy with very low AMH may be possible. It is important only not to despair and clearly follow the instructions of a specialist.
Is elevated AMH dangerous?
Obviously, a pregnancy with very low AMH will have a fair amount of difficulty. However, elevated hormone levels can be troublesome. Namely:
- infertility;
- slow sexual development;
- impaired functioning of the endocrine and genital glands and, as a consequence, the absence of ovulation;
- decreased receptor sensitivity to luteinizing hormone;
- oncological diseases of the ovaries and the entire reproductive system.
As well as a lowered level of a hormone, an elevated one requires correction. It is necessary first of all to eliminate the cause of the increase in indicators. Unfortunately, pills that help reduce the level of AMH in the blood have not yet been invented.
How to increase AMG?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question will be disappointing. Most likely, the cause of such low rates is a disease of the woman's reproductive system. In this case, you must undergo a comprehensive examination.
As we have already mentioned, 0.3 to 2.2 ng / ml is considered low. If the indicator is less than 0.3 ng / ml, then it is time to sound the alarm, since this condition is critical for a woman who wants to become pregnant. Low AMH and independent pregnancy in this case are impossible.
Medicine has not yet invented drugs that can increase AMH levels. Yes, and you need to fight not with a low rate, but with a cause, that is, with a disease indicated by a low content of a substance.
The way out in such a situation may be the procedure of artificial insemination. But here there are some difficulties. For IVF, mature eggs are needed, which, unfortunately, the patient does not have. Then you can use the donor egg.
Low AMH Pregnancy
Reading reviews of low AMH and independent pregnancy, we can conclude that with the timely detection of a reduced rate, there is a chance to conceive a child. It is important to choose the right treatment and do it on time. AMG can be increased by eliminating the cause of the decline.
Decreased levels of anti-Muller hormone can cause stress and increased physical activity. Therefore, you can increase it simply by eliminating these conditions. In this case, peace and relaxation will be the best medicine.
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 quite often causes 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 passing tests for AMH, it is necessary to notify about the intake of hormonal drugs. Unlike FSH, anti-Muller hormone is influenced 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 question of the advisability 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 losing precious time for conceiving a child. After all, not knowing the true reason for the decrease in AMH, you can only harm your health, so much that in the future you won’t be able to have children at all.
When is it worth taking tests?
When a woman wants to become a mother, she must be examined. This is especially true for those couples who cannot become parents for a long time. By the way, it is important to take tests not only for the woman, but also for the man.
It is also recommended to take tests in the following cases:
- menstrual irregularities;
- reproductive health examination of women;
- surgical intervention;
- failed IVF attempts;
- late pregnancy planning;
- disruption of the ovaries;
- early puberty.
Submission of analysis: what you need to know?
When planning pregnancy, every woman should be tested for AMH. Knowing the results of tests for gonadotropic and sex hormones is necessary for a successful conception and a healthy pregnancy. Indeed, in this case, you can correct them in time.
In order to make an analysis for AMH, blood is taken from a vein. The woman at this moment should have the 5th day of the menstrual cycle. In addition, 3 days before the procedure, stressful situations should be avoided and physical activity excluded. It is also forbidden to take alcoholic beverages the day before blood sampling. Taking hormonal drugs that increase the content of other hormones can distort laboratory data.
As for eating, the last time you need to eat a few hours before bedtime. The analysis is given on an empty stomach, you can neither eat nor drink. It is also recommended not to smoke before the test procedure.
It is also necessary to warn the clinician and your attending physician that you have suffered an acute illness, if it was recently.
It is important not to despair when you see a result different from the norm. All people are individual and perhaps in your case everything is reversible.