What is anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)?
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a hormone made by the small, growing follicles in the ovaries. Because the number of those follicles reflects how many eggs remain, a blood AMH level is used as a marker of ovarian reserve. It helps fertility doctors plan treatment like IVF, but it doesn't predict whether you can get pregnant naturally.
What AMH measures
Each follicle holds one immature egg. The small, early follicles release AMH, so more follicles usually means a higher AMH. Levels are highest in your 20s and slowly fall toward menopause. Unlike FSH, AMH stays fairly steady across the cycle, so it can be tested on any day.
| AMH result | What it may suggest |
|---|---|
| Higher than average | Many small follicles; common with PCOS |
| Typical for age | Ovarian reserve in the expected range |
| Lower than average | Fewer eggs remaining; may affect IVF planning |
Why it matters, and its limits
AMH is most useful before fertility treatment, where it helps predict how the ovaries will respond to stimulation drugs. It's also one clue in diagnosing PCOS or premature ovarian insufficiency.
What it doesn't do: AMH doesn't measure egg quality, doesn't tell you when menopause will come, and large studies found that a low AMH did not lower the chance of natural conception in the following year. Hormonal contraception can lower results temporarily. An AMH number can feel loaded, so it's worth reading it with a doctor rather than alone. See also ovarian reserve.
Ask a doctor about AMH as part of a fertility check if you've been trying for a year (six months over 35), have very irregular cycles, or are considering egg freezing or IVF.
Frequently asked questions
Can I raise my AMH?
There's no proven way to increase egg numbers. Some lifestyle factors like smoking are linked to lower AMH, so stopping smoking helps overall fertility.
Does a low AMH mean I can't get pregnant?
No. People with low AMH often conceive naturally. AMH reflects egg quantity, not quality, and doesn't predict natural fertility well.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test
- Steiner AZ et al. Association between biomarkers of ovarian reserve and infertility among older women of reproductive age. JAMA (2017)
- ACOG: Evaluating Infertility FAQ
This page is for information only and isn’t medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
Ovarian reserve: definition and meaningOvarian reserve is the number of eggs left in your ovaries. How AMH and follicle counts estimate it, what it can and can't predict, and how age affects it.
What is a follicle?An ovarian follicle is a small fluid-filled sac that holds and matures an egg. How follicles grow each cycle, what a dominant follicle is, and why it matters.
What is IVF (in vitro fertilization)?IVF (in vitro fertilization) joins eggs and sperm in a lab, then places an embryo in the uterus. The steps, who it helps, and how due dates work.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): definitionFSH is the pituitary hormone that makes ovarian follicles grow. What it does in your cycle, what high or low FSH means, and how it changes near menopause.Infertility: definition and meaningInfertility means not getting pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected sex, or 6 months if you're 35 or older. Causes, tests and next steps.