Low AMH but Regular Periods: Can I Conceive?

What is AMH?

When it comes to trying to conceive, especially through fertility treatments, the determination of AMH levels plays a crucial role. The low levels of AMH in women can significantly make the natural conception process more difficult. AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels are generally determined through the AMH test during fertility treatment. The test is done by collecting a sample of blood from the woman.

AMH levels in women are the essential indicators of available eggs in their ovaries. In medicinal contexts, the term is referred to as ovarian reserve. These AMH levels allow physicians to identify women’s fertility potential at that particular moment and plan for fertility treatments.

Many women with low AMH but regular periods wonder about the possibility of being pregnant. Experts claim that even though the chances of conception are reduced when compared to women with increased AMH levels, it is still significantly possible.

This blog may help you understand how a woman can conceive even with low AMH levels, and the reasons for decreasing levels.

What are the Reasons for Having Low AMH?

Even though age is the essential factor for low AMH, other reasons like genetics, uterine conditions and more are also involved. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

Age

It is a well-known fact that as women age, the decline in their production of eggs is evident. Every month during the menstrual cycle, ovaries produce a new set of follicles, each containing numerous eggs. These follicles get matured, but only one follicle gets completely matured and released during ovulation. Sometimes, more than one follicle may be released. It typically depends on the individual’s hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle. The unreleased follicles are then typically taken back by the body.

As a woman ages, the natural process of producing multiple follicles is diminished, which denotes low AMH. This makes the older women struggle to achieve pregnancy.

Genetics

Certain genetic conditions can cause premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). POI is a condition where the ovaries of an individual fail to function normally at their age (typically before 40). As a result, the premature depletion of an ovarian reserve takes place – meaning, the ovaries tend to produce fewer eggs than those beyond their age.

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus have been associated with impacting ovarian function. These conditions may impair follicle development and cause damage to the ovarian tissues through autoimmune mechanisms. This leads to the development of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or reduced ovarian reserve.

Endometriosis

Studies show that women with endometriosis have experienced a faster depletion of their ovarian reserve than usual. This is because of the inflammation and scarring that took place in the ovaries due to the condition, which potentially leads to reduced fertility.

Hormonal Imbalance

The changes in physiological or hormonal functions are the potential indicators of ovarian reserve. The disruption in these functions, especially those associated with menstrual irregularities, endocrine disorders like thyroid issues and PCOS, and stress can negatively affect AMH levels.

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can indeed affect AMH levels by disrupting the cortisol hormone, which is essential for reproductive function. High levels of cortisol have a strong correlation with delicate hormonal balance, poor egg quality, and irregular ovulation. All these factors lead to fertility issues and lower AMH levels.

Low AMH but Regular Periods: Can I Conceive?

With low AMH and regular periods, the likelihood of natural conception can be difficult but is quite possible. Many experts suggest couples put more effort into achieving a natural conception with diminished ovarian reserve. The process can also take longer time than the average couple. Hence, it is essential to have hope as natural pregnancy is still possible.

Listed below are some of the key points on how you can achieve the natural conception with low AMH levels.

Ovulation Still Occurs

Regular periods are a positive sign of ovulation and fertility. A woman may experience regular menstrual cycles only when she ovulates regularly. Regular ovulation and menstrual cycle simply mean that a woman’s body is preparing the uterine lining for pregnancy each month, even if it doesn’t take place.

Egg Quality Matters

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels are all about the quantity or number of eggs in the ovaries. When it comes to successful conception, the quality of them also matters. Studies show that many couples even with low AMH levels have conceived naturally, or through fertility treatments like IVF. Focusing on improving the quality of the eggs and overall reproductive health can significantly be beneficial to achieve conception.

One Egg is Enough

All you need is only one healthy egg to get fertilized with the sperm and implanted in the uterus. Hence, rather than focusing on the quantity of the eggs, focusing on their quality is highly suggested by numerous fertility experts.

What are the Strategies to Enhance the Chances of Natural Conception?

Following are some of the strategies from clinical experts to enhance your chances of natural conception. They are:

Monitor Ovulation

Since you are menstruating regularly, ovulation is also likely to happen on time. However, the ovulation days may differ from woman to woman. Monitoring the exact days that you are ovulating to identify the most fertile days can significantly improve your chances of conception.

Maintain a healthy weight

Individuals with both underweight and overweight can possibly have an interruption in their menstrual as well as ovulation cycles. Hence, maintaining an ideal BMI for your height is essential for overall health, especially fertility.

Optimize Lifestyle

Focusing on keeping yourself active through regular workouts, and a balanced nutrition-rich diet can also be beneficial when it comes to trying for the natural conception.

Eliminate stress

Eliminating stress by practising techniques like meditation, yoga, walking, and journaling can be significantly helpful for enhancing the likelihood of natural conception. You can also try your favourite hobbies like gardening to distract yourself from the stress.

Limit too much alcohol and caffeine

According to the experts, the consumption of excessive caffeine and alcohol can primarily interrupt sleep patterns. The disruption of sleep can lead to hormonal fluctuations, especially the reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This can largely affect the overall reproductive system, especially the egg quality.

Explore Fertility Treatments

If you are still struggling to get pregnant naturally even after trying all the above-mentioned methods, considering to visit fertility experts like Yogana Hospital is highly recommended. These experts will be able to analyse the exact underlying cause of your infertility and provide personalized guidance. They may also encourage you to try fertility treatments like IUI and IVF. However, IVF is considered the most effective treatment option with increased success rates when compared to the IUI technique.

Summary

Lower levels of AMH do not certainly mean that you will never achieve the conception. It can be challenging, but not impossible. Fertility experts claim that many women have achieved conception even with low AMH levels either through fertility treatments like IVF or naturally. If natural conception is not happening, considering fertility treatment can be a valuable option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does it mean my menopause is approaching if the AMH levels are low?

A: The answer to the question is yes. AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels have a strong association with menopause. Lower levels of AMH are the essential indicators when it comes to menopause. This is because these hormones are basically produced by the follicles, which is in the ovaries. The decline of the hormone production significantly means the decline of the follicles. The decline in follicles may typically take place as woman ages. Hence, the onset of approaching menopause.

Q: Are there ways to improve my AMH levels?

A: The answer to the question is no. There are no considerable ways to enhance the levels of AMH. However, certain strategies can be beneficial when it comes to improving the quality of the eggs. The strategies may include maintaining BMI, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, eliminating stress, consuming nutrition-rich foods, and so on. If you are concerned about your low AMH levels, consulting the most reputed fertility experts is highly appreciated.

Q: With low AMH levels, is it possible to have regular periods?

A: The answer to the question is yes. A woman can experience a regular menstrual cycle even though her levels of AMH are low. The levels of AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) are the essential indicators of the number of available eggs. It does not primarily mean that no eggs are produced in the ovaries. In simple terms, only the number of eggs is reduced with the low AMH. Hence, regular menstruation is quite possible with remaining follicles. At the same time, the possibility of conception is also quite possible.

Q: Does low AMH levels affect my baby in any way once conceived?

A: The answer to the question is no. Even though conception is difficult with low AMH, it does not affect the baby directly. However, experts claim that women with low AMH have an increased risk of miscarriages, it does not directly cause any birth defects or medical conditions in the developing baby.

Q: Are ovarian reserve and AMH levels the same?

A: The answer to the question is no. AMH and ovarian reserve are precisely not the same. While AMH is a hormone produced by the follicles in the ovaries, ovarian reserve denotes the number of available eggs in them. Therefore, the decreased levels of AMH are a sign of decreased ovarian reserve. Similarly, the increased levels of AMH are a sign of increased ovarian reserve.