AMH: Ovarian Reserve & Fertility Testing
Content last reviewed 2026-09-12 · Educational information — not medical advice
Quick answer
AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) correlates with the remaining egg pool — a proxy for ovarian reserve. It predicts response to fertility treatment and rough menopause timing, but not reliably individual fertility or egg quality. No cycle-timing needed (unlike FSH/estradiol).
What AMH measures
Granulosa cells of growing follicles secrete AMH — the count of those follicles reflects the antral-follicle pool (ovarian reserve). Unlike FSH/estradiol which measure mid-cycle hormones, AMH is stable across the menstrual cycle — measurable any day, no fasting.
Interpretation bands
| AMH (ng/mL) | Reserve estimate |
|---|---|
| >3.0 | high (PCOS often) |
| 1.0–3.0 | normal |
| 0.3–1.0 | diminished |
| <0.3 | very low (poor IVF response likely) |
| <0.1 | near-menopause / minimal reserve |
The honest limits
AMH correlates with EGG COUNT, not EGG QUALITY — a 30-year-old with low AMH still holds good-quality eggs, just fewer. It predicts IVF stimulation response (how many follicles recruit) better than conception odds. Pregnancy can and does occur with 'undetectable' AMH in some women — the test assesses quantity, not destiny.
Who should test
- Age 35+ considering delayed childbearing — how much time realistically remains
- IVF pre-stimulation planning — dose selection, cycle-strategy
- Cancer patients pre-fertility-preservation (egg banking before chemo)
- POI staging alongside FSH/estradiol
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
My AMH is low, I'm shaking — can I still conceive?
Possibly yes — count isn't quality, and natural conception doesn't require lots of eggs. AMH guides TREATMENT STRATEGY, not whether you can have a baby.
Does AMH decline predict menopause exactly?
Roughly — very low AMH tracks closer menopause (typically within 2-5 years when <0.1). It's a two-to-five-year window marker, not a calendar.