• Unfortunately, the AMH level is often used as an indicator of overall fertility
• However, this level alone doesn’t actually tell you anything about your fertility
• A low AMH level could even be an advantage on your journey to conceive

Anti-Müllerian hormone, or AMH for short, is considered a simple and accurate way to determine a woman’s egg reserve. A low AMH level is often viewed as problematic and interpreted as a sign of reduced fertility—even by many doctors. However, new studies show that a low AMH level actually tells us almost nothing about your journey to conception. But why is anti-Müllerian hormone still frequently tested, and are doctors really wrong?

What the AMH Level Actually Indicates

The anti-Müllerian hormone level provides insight into how many eggs a woman still has. It can be determined relatively easily through a blood test and is therefore being measured more and more frequently. If you’d like to learn more about AMH, we recommend this article, which contains general information about AMH levels. A low AMH level is usually interpreted as a bad sign for a woman’s fertility, since having fewer eggs could, in principle, reduce the chances of pregnancy. In the context of assisted reproduction, the AMH level can also help estimate how many eggs are likely to mature and then be retrieved (Kassie, G. M., et al., 2026).

Both factors can be important when trying to conceive—but one key factor is often overlooked: The AMH level provides information about the number of your eggs—not their quality. As with so many things, however, when it comes to eggs, quality is at least as important as quantity, and so the AMH level is often mistakenly used to make a judgment about a woman’s fertility. According to studies, such a conclusion is usually incorrect and unhelpful. So let’s take a look at what a low AMH level might actually mean (Kassie, G. M., et al., 2026).

AMH Levels and Natural Conception

According to scientists, women trying to conceive naturally can safely disregard their AMH levels. Studies have shown that the AMH level does not provide any indication of the likelihood of pregnancy through natural conception. A low level of anti-Müllerian hormone does not correspond to reduced fertility and does not automatically mean that natural conception is unlikely (Lin, C., et al., 2021). If you have a regular cycle, experts therefore recommend not having your AMH level tested at all, since it cannot provide any additional helpful information (Kassie, G. M., et al., 2026).

AMH Levels in Assisted Reproduction

While the study results regarding natural conception make sense to a certain extent, the findings on AMH in assisted reproduction have caused some consternation and a few surprises: Researchers have found that, statistically speaking, a higher AMH level can actually be a disadvantage when trying to conceive! When the AMH level is above 10 ng/mL, fewer clinical pregnancies were observed in the context of assisted reproduction, and the fertilization rate was also lower than in women with an AMH level below 10 ng/mL (Park, H. J., et al., 2026).

Another study found that while an elevated AMH level can lead to more clinical pregnancies, women with higher AMH levels unfortunately also experience miscarriages more frequently. As a result, women with higher AMH levels often have to undergo several cycles before they can hold their little miracle in their arms (Ghasemabadi, A., et al., 2026).

Of course, these findings are concerning, but they are no reason to be upset about a high AMH level. AMH levels can be elevated (or reduced) for many different reasons and, unfortunately, are not a factor that can be easily controlled on the path to having a child. For this reason, it may be helpful to view the AMH level simply as an indication of the number of available eggs and to focus on one or more of the many possible approaches to improving fertility. These include, for example, building up the uterine lining, reducing microplastics, or combating low-grade inflammation.

AMH Levels in PMOS

Women with PMOS (formerly PCOS) often have AMH levels above 6 ng/mL. This is because, in PMOS, the follicles often do not fully mature, which can result in higher anti-Müllerian hormone levels. In general, a high AMH level in women with PMOS is also an indication that a large number of eggs can typically be retrieved during assisted reproduction. However, a high AMH level should also be considered a warning sign, as women with elevated AMH levels unfortunately suffer from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) more frequently. Therefore, particular caution should be exercised during assisted reproduction, and medication should be adjusted as necessary—for both IVF and ICSI (Martins, A., et al., 2026). You can find more detailed information on ovarian hyperstimulation here.

Surprisingly, women who suffer from PMOS but have lower AMH levels have higher live birth rates and fewer miscarriages (Wei, X., et al., 2026). This is a cause for celebration for those affected and—as things stand—a medical mystery. Exactly why a lower AMH level might be beneficial has not yet been conclusively determined. Therefore, significantly more research will be needed in the coming years.

Due to the aforementioned risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) associated with PMOS, you should have your AMH level tested before undergoing artificial insemination to ensure that your journey to parenthood is not only successful but, above all, safe for you and your body (Wei, X., et al., 2026).

AMH Levels and Miscarriages

In addition to the chances of successful conception, the risk of miscarriage is an equally important factor in the journey to parenthood and should therefore not be overlooked.

Aneuploidy means that the genetic material does not conform to the norm and that at least one abnormality is present. Most genetic abnormalities lead to a miscarriage because the embryo is not viable. A low AMH level can statistically be viewed as a risk factor for fetal aneuploidy—however, most women who have already had a pregnancy with aneuploidy do not have a low AMH level. Where might this contradiction come from? Possibly purely by chance: Unfortunately, women experience miscarriages completely independently of their AMH level. It is therefore possible that, in this study, a greater number of women with low AMH levels experienced a miscarriage, and that this does not align with the study findings for women with a history of aneuploid pregnancies. Furthermore, this study did not distinguish between translocation trisomy and spontaneous misassignment—however, translocation trisomy is not associated with ovarian reserve. Ultimately, certain aneuploidies are, of course, also caused by a defect in the sperm—completely independent of the AMH level (Zhao X. X. et al., 2026).

In another study, AMH levels were measured in women who had already experienced one or two miscarriages. Fortunately, this study also found no association between AMH levels and fertility in the context of natural conception (Zarek, S. M., et al., 2015).

What should I do if my AMH level is high or low?

We’re fully aware that we may have just overwhelmed you with new and alarming information. Maybe you’re absolutely thrilled with your AMH level right now, or maybe you’re on the verge of burying your head in the sand. Before we talk about anything else, we’d like to point out that, unfortunately, there’s very little you can do to influence your AMH level, and you’ll just have to accept it as it is. If you have a low AMH level and have now found new hope, we’re thrilled for you! If you have a higher AMH level and are feeling at a loss right now, we understand completely and are right there with you! At this point, it’s especially important to us to make it clear that your AMH level doesn’t provide any insight into your overall fertility—it only indicates the number of eggs you currently have. Yet even a single high-quality egg can be the key to having the child you’ve been hoping for. That’s why we encourage you—even if it’s hard right now—to focus on improving the quality of your eggs. You can find comprehensive information on how to do this here. So please don’t fixate on this one test result; instead, try to ignore it as much as possible and focus on other aspects of your journey toward having the child you’ve been hoping for.

Should I have my AMH level tested?

AMH levels are often measured in cases of infertility and are also being tested by an increasing number of women who are not currently trying to conceive. This is often because women hope the test will provide insight into their fertility and future family planning. However, experts do not recommend testing AMH levels without a specific reason. For some women, the test result can lead to a false sense of complacency, while for others it can cause unnecessary stress or lead to hasty decisions to freeze eggs.

However, if there are medical reasons for measuring AMH—such as starting IVF or ICSI treatment for PMOS—then measuring the level is, of course, still advisable. Nevertheless, even in this case, the AMH level should simply serve as an indicator of the egg reserve and provide insight into the risk of OHSS—but under no circumstances should it be used as the basis for assessing fertility or the chances of pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does the AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) level in the body indicate?

The AMH level provides information about the number of remaining eggs (egg reserve). However, it does not provide information about the quality of these eggs or a woman’s overall fertility.

Why isn’t a low AMH level an obstacle to a natural pregnancy?

With a regular cycle, a single, good-quality egg is sufficient for conception. Studies show that a low AMH level does not reduce the chances of natural fertilization.

What role does the AMH level play in the context of assisted reproduction (IVF/ICSI)?

It helps doctors estimate how many eggs are likely to be retrieved during ovarian stimulation. It also helps determine the appropriate dosage of medications to prevent complications.

Why can a very high AMH level be a disadvantage in assisted reproduction?

A significantly elevated AMH level (e.g., above 10 ng/ml) has been associated in studies with lower fertilization rates as well as a higher risk of miscarriage or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Why is AMH testing important for women with PCOS?

Women with PCOS often have elevated AMH levels. Testing is essential before IVF or ICSI treatment to identify the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation in a timely manner and adjust medication accordingly.

Is a low AMH level directly linked to miscarriages?

No. Studies of women with a history of miscarriages show that there is no direct link between AMH levels and the chances of a successful subsequent natural pregnancy.

Can medication or lifestyle changes affect your AMH level?

No, the AMH level is determined by genetics and age and can hardly be specifically influenced. Instead, the focus should be on factors that promote egg quality and overall health.

When do experts recommend measuring AMH levels?

Routine testing without a specific reason is not recommended, as it often leads to unnecessary anxiety. Testing is particularly useful as part of preparation for reproductive medicine treatments such as IVF or ICSI.

References

• Kassie, G. M., Copp, T., Lensen, S., Mazza, D., Boyle, J. A., & Grzeskowiak, L. E. (2026). Trends in Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Testing for Fertility Assessment in Australian General Practice, 2011-2021: A Retrospective Open Cohort Study. The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology, 66(5), e70179. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.70179  
• Lin, C., Jing, M., Zhu, W., Tu, X., Chen, Q., Wang, X., Zheng, Y., & Zhang, R. (2021). The Value of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in the Prediction of Spontaneous Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 695157. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.695157  
• Park, H. J., Joo, J. H., Koo, Y. H., Lee, Y. C., Lee, J., Kim, K. Y., & Koo, D. B. (2026). Dual effects of anti-Müllerian hormone on ovarian response and fertilization in assisted reproductive technology cycles: a retrospective cohort study. Obstetrics & gynecology science, 10.5468/ogs.26089. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.26089  
• Ghasemabadi, A., Ghiasi Hafazi, S., Effati, S., Namakin, K., Ahmadi Zand, M., & Ghamsary, M. (2026). Modeling Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes in Infertility Couples Considering Multiple Factors: A Retrospective Study. International journal of fertility & sterility, 20(3), 226–236. https://doi.org/10.22074/ijfs.2025.2040876.1760  
• Martins, A., Ferreira-da-Silva, R., & Póvoa, A. M. (2026). Association between High AMH Levels in PCOS Patients and IVF/ICSI Outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia, 48, e-rbgo25. https://doi.org/10.61622/rbgo/2026rbgo25  
• Wei, X., Wang, Y., Hu, T., Li, H., Liu, L., Li, Z., & Zhao, X. (2026). Anti-Müllerian hormone levels and live birth rate in polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in medicine, 13, 1859573. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2026.1859573  
• Zhao X. X. (2026). Relationship between anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in the peripheral blood of women and aneuploid pregnancy. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 26(1), 800. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09294-9  
• Zarek, S. M., Mitchell, E. M., Sjaarda, L. A., Mumford, S. L., Silver, R. M., Stanford, J. B., Galai, N., White, M. V., Schliep, K. C., DeCherney, A. H., & Schisterman, E. F. (2015). Is Anti-Müllerian Hormone Associated With Fecundability? Findings From the EAGeR Trial. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 100(11), 4215–4221. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-2474