AMH: What It Actually Means When You’re Trying to Conceive
If you’ve had fertility testing recently, you may have seen a number called AMH on your labs. And if you’ve gone down the Google rabbit hole, you may also have seen scary statements like:
"Low AMH means you can't get pregnant."
"AMH predicts whether IVF will work."
"High AMH = you're extra fertile."
Let’s clear things up—because AMH can be helpful, but it’s often misunderstood.
What Is AMH?
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) is made by the developing follicles in your ovaries.
Think of it as a signal of how many eggs are waiting in the wings—not how healthy they are, just how many.
Higher AMH → more follicles
Lower AMH → fewer follicles
AMH naturally goes down as you age, especially in your 30s and 40s.
What AMH Can Tell You About Fertility
AMH is helpful if you're trying to understand:
✔ Whether your ovarian reserve is higher or lower than expected
✔ How you might respond to IVF medication
✔ Whether you might want to freeze eggs sooner vs. later
✔ Patterns associated with PCOS (AMH is often elevated)
It can also help you plan timeline, not just treatment.
What AMH Cannot Tell You
This is the part most women never hear.
AMH does not predict whether you can get pregnant naturally
Low AMH does not equal infertility
AMH does not measure egg quality
AMH does not predict the exact age menopause will start
So if you’ve been told you "can’t have kids because your AMH is low", please take a breath—your AMH is a data point, not a destiny.
Can You Improve AMH?
This is usually the biggest question.
You can influence AMH if it’s low due to reversible factors
—for example:
Coming off birth control (levels may rebound)
Vitamin D deficiency
PCOS treatment changing follicle dynamics
Reducing ovarian inflammation
You cannot permanently raise AMH simply through supplements or lifestyle changes if the decline is age-related.
That’s biology, not a failure on your part.
More important than changing AMH is supporting:
Ovulation
Egg quality
Hormones
Mitochondrial health
Inflammation & blood sugar balance
These are the factors that most impact your ability to conceive.
How to Support Fertility if AMH Is Low
Even if AMH can’t be "boosted" dramatically, you can support your reproductive health. Evidence-informed strategies include:
Nutrition & Metabolic Support
Balanced carbs + protein
Omega-3s
Reduce chronic inflammation triggers
Targeted Supplements (based on labs + provider guidance)
CoQ10 (supports mitochondrial function → egg quality)
NAC or ALA (especially if PCOS-related)
Vitamin D (if deficient)
Hormone & Cycle Support
Address thyroid or inadequate ovulation
Reduce chronic stress + cortisol load
Pelvic & Ovarian Health
Treat endometriosis or chronic inflammation early
Support healthy blood flow + circulation
These changes may not magically raise AMH, but they can help your body create the healthiest eggs it does have.
When to Consider AMH Testing
You may benefit from checking AMH if:
You're planning pregnancy within 1–5 years
You have endometriosis, PCOS, autoimmune disease
You've had ovarian surgery
You’re considering egg freezing or IVF
Your cycles are irregular or disappearing
You may not need AMH testing if you're already actively trying and ovulating consistently—it won’t change the day-to-day steps you're taking.
The Takeaway
Your AMH number is information—not a verdict.
Many women with low AMH conceive naturally. Many women with high AMH struggle to conceive for reasons totally unrelated to their egg count (thyroid issues, sperm quality, inflammation, endometriosis, anovulation, etc.).
Your fertility is a whole-body system, not a single lab value.