Do you want to find out what your potential "fertility" lifetime is?

Admittedly, before working at Main Line Fertility, I had no idea what Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) was. You would have thought during nursing school at Villanova, or my five years spent as a post-partum nurse I would have had some idea. But, no. I didn't realize how uneducated I was about something as simple as the menstrual cycle. Do any of us know what happens monthly, or should I say, what is supposed to happen monthly? Don't worry, Stick with me. I got you covered. I'm here to teach you the in's and out's of it all!

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. When I say ovarian reserve, what I mean is how many eggs do you have left in your "fertility" lifetime.  It can be done at any time in the menstrual cycle, and it is assessed via a blood test.

It's important to know though for an accurate assessment of your AMH level; the AMH blood test should be combined with an antral follicle count (AFC), which is the number of small follicles within both ovaries. You can get your AFC done, by scheduling an appointment at a fertility clinic near you. If you live close by, don't be shy, I'd love to assist you at Main Line Fertility! 

Anti-Mullerian Hormone levels are naturally lower in older women (particularly over the age of 40) and higher in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Yes- that's me. My current AMH = 11.7. And yes, that's high. Good thing I froze my eggs when I was twenty-seven! Interestingly enough, my AMH level has increased with age. When I decided to freeze my eggs at twenty-seven years old, my AMH level = 4.1, and I thought that was high! My physician, Dr. Glassner informed me that some women with PCOS will get better after conceiving their first child, and others will get worse. Lucky me- mine got worse. But, I'm lucky; I'm educated. I've been proactive. And I know my husband, and I will have the family we have always dreamed of. 

Please reference the chart below. 

AMH Blood Level
High (often PCOS): Over 4.0 ng/ml
Normal: 1.5 - 4.0 ng/ml
Low Normal Range: 1.0 - 1.5 ng/ml
Low: 0.5 - 1.0 ng/ml
Very Low: Less than 0.5 ng/ml

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Much love, 

Bridget