I am 38 and recently had a consultation which included an amh blood test. I was told it was below average for my age at 3.5.
This worries me but I had a scan and had 7 eggs on one side and 4 on the other. I was told that I need to get started soon as my ovarian reserve is slightly lower than normal.
Have other people dealt with this... If so how do you feel about it?
I'm trying to stay calm at all times and of course realise how much people have had to contend with on this forum.
I wondered if others out there have a low amh and how you feel about it?
Thank you xx
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Bexy79
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Hiya, I was first tested when I was 33 and got AMH just under 5. I’m 38 now and my AMH is slightly lower than yours. It was difficult to get my head around at first as I felt my body had let me down. As we also have male factor it just seemed to make things more difficult. We got on with IVF immediately. We were placed on the NHS waiting list but as we had some savings we paid to have a cycle within a few months. How do you feel about moving ahead with IVF? xx
I feel fine about the ivf process itself... I'm unsure how my amh level will affect the process... I have been told to go for ivf lite instead of the stronger ivf.
How long does the process last from the first day of the process until yoh find out results... it obviously differs person to person?
I sound naive but have had a consultation blood test scan etc and this was a few weeks ago.
If it is possible and I can start beginning of March I shall. I have read a lot. But i dont want to read up so much to the point that if stresses you out. I want to eat healthy and just go for it. Talking to people on here is really helpful.
How was the ivf experience for you and hiw do you feel about it?
You don’t sound naive at all, I was the same when I started off. Wish I had known about this forum then, it’s so helpful.
If you started a cycle at the beginning of March I’d say it’s approx 6 weeks from start to finish.
It does help to read up a bit on the process and to be aware of what’s beneficial to your treatment in terms of diet and lifestyle. I’d advise you to start taking a good prenatal vitamin that has folic acid if you aren’t already. Eat clean, lots of antioxidants, cut down / cut out alcohol and caffeine.
To be honest, having had 5 cycles at this stage, it’s been very hard. Emotionally, physically and financially. I’d advise you to take steps to look after your emotional well being throughout it all as much as the physical side of things.
Wishing you so much luck as you get started and if there’s anything else you want to ask please feel free to get in touch xo
I think I am slightly... I've read up about the process... but often you look on different sites and it says different amounts of time. I presume like you said six weeks start to finish. I am so sorry you have gone through this 5 times. I don't know how the process itself would affect me. To me it's the length of time it takes from start until you find out. It's a long wait. I am trying to remain calm. I wish i had a partner but I'm just glad this is an option now. I cut out caffeine completely. I miss it a lot. I'm taking pregnacare with omega 3 and trying not to get overwhelmed with everything. I'm learing about the correct diet.... do you have any tips? Also good luck to you... you sound like you very much deserve a good result this time. I hope it works for you.... xxxx
As you say it’s the waiting that can be a source of anxiety. Would you consider acupuncture? It’s good for relaxation, alleviating anxiety and beneficial to the treatment itself. Others here have also had reflexology.
Pregnacare sounds perfect. As far as diet, I’d say keep it balanced. There are lots of books such as zita west’s which outline things to eat and things to avoid. I downloaded hers onto the kindle and found it useful. In a nutshell I’d say eat clean, avoid processed food and sugar. You’re already off the caffeine. I don’t drink much anyway but I cut out alcohol completely about two months before treatment started. Eat lots of fish, lean meat like chicken or turkey, eggs, not too much dairy but some natural yoghurt, plenty of fruit and veg, nuts and pulses. If you’re having rice, bread or pasta go for whole meal/ whole grain varieties. Drink lots of water. I don’t think the odd treat here or there does any harm either otherwise you could end up feeling miserable. Everything in moderation xx
I would consider acupuncture... when do you think is the best time to do it ge fore or during the process? Have you had it.
I looked at zita west's website and I will def look at getting the book.
I am def missing the lack of coffee but it's worth it and alcohol is no more.
I am a veggie but all the dietary advice is really appreciated... eggs yogourt fruit and nuts and herbal teas citrus and avocado. Apparently pineapple and pomegranate and non caffenated green tea. J got pregnacare with omega 3. So hopefully it's a good start. Oh and some dark chocolate here and there xx
I eat lots of avocado too 🥑 Can’t get enough of them 😊 I think it sounds like you’re eating and drinking really well already. Yes the pineapple is meant to aid implantation but there are some articles that say it can lead to miscarriage too. I ate a couple of slices of it each day, including the core for the first week of my two week wait. You could try to eat almonds and brazil nuts too if you don’t already.
I would start the acupuncture now. I had weekly appointments a month or two leading up to IVF and then more often throughout the cycle too. I loved it xx
Hey, I’m 33 and have low amh around 2.8 🙁 and only 8 follicles so your 11 is great!
I took it badly at first hearing about my low amh but I’ve got used to it I guess. I did 2 max dose ivfs which didn’t work but have since got pregnant twice naturally after 2.5 years TTC. Currently having investigations into why both failed early on and starting a package of 3 banking rounds of natural modified ivf in a week or so, so looking forward to seeing how that goes.
I know is hard to hear that news early on, here if you want to talk xx
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been through so much. I'm sure you will get your baby! I don't really understand how bad my amh is for my age I can't really get to grips with it... if it's bad news or whether I'm just coming up to 39 and that's the way it goes... how are you feeling about starting natural ivf now?
Hey I'm 34 and 2 years ago my AMH was 3.0 and within 2 months it had decreased to 2.3 (my consultant wanted to re-run the blood test hence the further test) I was devastated and felt down quite a lot about it, I had lots of friends and family having babies left right and centre but i put on a brave face in front of everyone. It was hard because my AMH was below 5.4 which is require by my ccg to entitle me to 2 nhs funded cycles. Me and my husband managed to pay for a private cycle and got 6 eggs, 5 fertilised and 3 made it to blastocyst. With one being transferred and the other 2 not making it. You will realise quite quickly that you are stronger than you realise and that if this is what it takes for you to get a your baby then you will do it and, if needs be you will do it again and again (fingers crossed you dont). My husband works away for 2 weeks at a time and was away for the start of me going through the daily injections, the travelling to and from scans but I felt i actually didnt need him there and I could definitely do it again. It was probably better that he was away, I slept when I wanted (ate what I wanted) and just got on with it. He was only home for the EC and transfer, I only needed him for egg collection because I was put out. We also live nearly 200 miles away from family and friends so I would say I didn't have a huge amount of support but I think mentally if you prepare yourself you will be just fine and definitely being calm helps xx
I didn't realise your amh could change. How is this possible. I just read your page and you said it went up after that? Which is great news. But how does that happen?
I think the IVF process itself doesn't worry me. Like you said injections scans etc... well i feel fine going through that alone. It is the waiting game that will make me anxious... and of course the financial side. I know full that it'll be hard going it on my own. But i am 100 percent sure that I can handle it.
I'm trying hard to not stress out about minor things and take things step by step.
It's so hard seeing everyone having babies.... I'm so happy for all my friends. But it puts more pressure on yourself and I found that sometimes i draw away from people with young children... particularly my school friends. It's such a shame. But I'm well aware of my age and the fact that i haven't met anyone... but I'm so fed up of forcing Internet dating and have decided to take the plunge and just go for it with my parents support. I hope that everything works out for you and really appreciate you telling me your story and for your advice. It it very comforting xx
I have no idea and my nhs consultant has no idea either! It's baffling. Yes extremely pleased it has increased but it's still low for my age. In relation to the friends and family with children, I've learnt they they too are a blessing even though it's still hard spending time with them, getting the vidoes and the pics but I definitely withdrew when I was going through my cycle. Maybe rather than meeting up with your friends have telephone calls instead, would that help? I think you are so brave to do it on your own and like you say, financially and the waiting is the struggle. But it sounds like your parents are supprotive and behind you and it helps to talk. You always have here to post when you need to and there is always someone in here to help or to listen. Feel free to message me even if you want 😊 thank you and I hope everything works out for you. I have a good feeling about 2018 🍀 xx
You know what, I wouldn’t get too tied up on the AMH levels. I was treated in Oz and had 4 AMH tests done over five years & have to wonder how vital it all is. Firstly the results fluctuated a lot, one was 9.6 a year later it had risen to 12 & at the highest it was 14! I have to say I took any of those results with a pinch of salt. It is only a guideline after all. It’s a worrying enough process going thru IVF and sometimes all these tests beforehand just make you worry even more & often unnecessarily. Your body will do what it can do, people will still get pregnant with a low AMH as will people with a high AMH not get pregnant and wonder why.
At 38 I was almost the same egg numbers as you and I have severe endometriosis. At no point were my 9-10 in total eggs ever classed as low for my age, in fact it was the opposite and the consultant was still encouraged there were some there at all so try and not over worry. Focus on what you can do to prepare your body for IVF or trying naturally still and try and not focus on the things you can’t change like AMH results which aren’t ever going to be an absolute true marker on whether you can or can’t have a baby. All the best x
That's so reassuring thank you.. I know that there are no rules with amh. It might be really affecting or it might not. You're right i can't change it anyway... it's quite full on taking all these things in.
I wish i hadn't left it so late to check everything... but hey ho it is what it is.
Everyone says the same don't stress eat healthy and sleep well oh and drink lots of water.
I'm trying to just focus on that and not think it won't work before it hasn't.
I'm sorry to hear that you have endermetriosis... that must be painful and a lot to deal with.
How are you getting on with treatments and how are you feeling about everything? Xx
You’re welcome love. I’ve had a v v long struggle with endometriosis & infertility for 15 or so years now and I’ve learnt one vital lesson - don’t stress or waste energy over the things you can’t change. You could get repeated AMH results for the next two years & they all could say something different & get you even more confused, so put that to one side and focus on the positives and your own health. I know it’s so much to take in.
Please also don’t beat yourself up leaving things late to check, I did that far too much too and you’ve got to learn not to blame yourself or be so hard on yourself, especially now. I was single at 37 & did some basic fertility investigations/AMH/follicle count etc and that was before they’d discovered my Endo, the consultant did say I needed to get a move on but all this only adds pressure which u don’t need!
If it’s any consolation I have a twin sister who doesn’t have severe Endo like me and she’s had 4 kids easily, the last was born when she was 43 and the second last when she was 39. If you’re healthy and don’t have horrid things like Endo screwing up your fertility then there is still time for you to get pregnant so focus on that, these doctors get so screwed up with all their fertility graphs and how you ‘drop off a cliff post 35” but that still doesn’t mean you can’t conceive. The majority of my friends all had their kids post 38 and ALL got pregnant and had no complications throughout - unfortunately I was the exception but there always has to be one I guess.
As u say, it is what it is, don’t punish yourself with regrets, the fact is you’re taking this in hand now and that’s better than not doing it at all isn’t it. Be proud of what you’re doing and believe you can get what you want.
Don’t also get so caught up in it all that you forget to live your life, I’ve spent 6 years trying to have a baby, stopped drinking, stopped all caffeine, stopped so much in this pursuit of trying to be this ideal candidate for pregnancy, it did nothing but make me more disillusioned and miserable to be honest!! Just live life, try and relax where possible & believe things can happen and I so believe that will stand you in much better stead than worrying constantly, trying every diet/pill/acupuncture/herbal thing there is in pursuit of a happy ending. I know, I’ve been there and had a very unhappy few years & don’t want you to have to do that too!
I have severe endometriosis & adenomyosis which, because it lay undiagnosed for far too many years through the mistakes of countless doctors, totally destroyed my insides and I was not able to conceive.
I’m now doing donor egg treatment as a last ditch attempt, I got pregnant the first cycle in Sept but unfortunately miscarried at 7wks. Annoyingly my cycles have still not returned to normal even after 6 months so I can’t do another transfer any time soon, doing what I can this year then I turn 45 at Christmas and that’s it, I can’t continue partly due to feeling too old and partly because life has to start again and I need to find happiness elsewhere.
I can't imagine how hard that has been... do you have a partner or ard you doing it alone?
I can imagine although you must love having nieces and nephews it must somehow hurt and feel very unfair that it has been so hard for you. I know you can't resent others for what they have and it must be lovely having children in the family... but i really hope that you get your baby.
Miscarrying at 7 weeks must have been devastating... but you sound strong. Probably because you have to be. I hope the egg donor treatment works...
You are an inspiration. I really appreciate your message xx
What a lovely message, thanks so much. Yes, it’s been a v hard journey. I looked into all the fertility stuff at 37 as I was starting to get concerned I was leaving things very late & considered freezing my eggs, however, a very chance meeting with my old uni boyfriend (after I’d chosen to go to Oz for a few months to chill out) resulted is us getting back together when I was 39, we tried immediately to have a baby but unfortunately it was then that my endometriosis was finally discovered and I was in a v bad way as it had lay undiagnosed for 20+ yrs & caused untold damage. (I kept telling GPs I felt unwell & felt something was wrong but they told me I was imagining the pain!)
I love having nephews and my boyfriend has them too but as you picked up on, it can be bitter sweet, one min it’s lovely to have them around but it’s also like a dagger to your heart sometimes in repeatedly showing you what you’re missing.
Life has been quite cruel but you come to learn you have two simple choices, give in & give up or fight and try your best to seek happiness in some way. What’s really sad is by the time I had a miscarriage we’d had so many years of repeated IVF disappointment & I’d had so much surgery and pain, a miscarriage didn’t even feel that devastating as it was just yet another thing to go wrong, you become very hardened unfortunately which people see as you being strong but it’s sad as circumstance has made you that way. You just have to dig deep and get through it but I don’t purport to tell you it’s an easy fight, I’ve felt broken at times but something keeps driving me on and I hope one day my fight gets recognised and I see some reward!
Are u doing this alone or do u have support? I do wish you ever success, it’s a scary journey but boy do you feel v proud of yourself for taking control and doing something about it as you are, well done.
Thanks for your lovely message, I feel boosted being told I’m an inspiration! I’m sure many people think that of you too as what you’re doing is no mean feat. Good luck with it all and if u need to get in touch anytime please do and I’ll do what I can to help/advise xxx
Everything you've been through is heartbreaking... obviously you don't want people to feel sorry for you... but i feel like life is quite unfair and yoh sound like you've had a bad run with regards to this...
These things toughen you up and yes despite being strong... it doesn't necessarily mean that you want to be. There us no choice.
I had a relationship over the last few years and it was unfortunately abusive... in many ways.
My ex always told me he wanted kids but j feel like he led me on... for 2 years. Just telling me what j wanted to hear and knowing how i felt and how old i was etc.. you can't force someone to want children and I'd hsve never done that... but I was always clear on what I wanted. If all got worse and ended last September.
I just thought I have to do something about this and I don't want to go through another relationship right now... it'll be hard doing ig alone... but j have supportive parents and friends.
I so hope for you that it'll work out... you deserve it. But how could they not pick up in endometriosis over a that time? Didn't ultrasounds show it? Xx
I have the same and it is a worry . Am wondering if it’s the reason for our infertility but never had a clear diagnosis of that as my clinic say it doesn’t affect natural fertility. Your follicle numbers sound good. One lady mentioned that her clinic checked her afc every month & started short protocol when the highest number of follies could be seen which might be worth running past your clinic? Also there are some recommended supplements that might be worth looking in to. Good luck xx
Yes it’s hard isn’t it as u don’t want to feel the odd one out and people always feeling sorry for you, my friends can’t believe how much crap that has happened to me but I’ve got to try and believe things will change eventually!
As u say you have to be strong whether u want to or not.
I’m so sorry to hear you were in an abusive relationship, I had slightly similar in that 3 exes led me on into always dangling the carrot that they wanted kids. Like you, I was always upfront about my desire to have family, men can be so childlike, spineless and weak sometimes so focus on you having a lucky escape and move forward. I remember screaming at one ex when I was 30 saying he had to make his mind up as I didn’t want to be in some IVF clinic at 40, such a shame that became reality. I actually ended up with the bloke I met & was with throughout university at 20, we split up as we felt we were too young to settle down, that’s what makes it all the sadder for me as we could have probably had kids fine in our early twenties, but you can’t look back or it can destroy you...and you go mad!!
To take control of your life and still chase your dream requires great strength and you should be extremely proud of yourself. You are doing the right thing and hopefully you’ll be rewarded with a little bundle of joy! Families come in all shapes and sizes these days as it sounds as if you’ve got a good family & friend network which a baby would be lucky to grow up in.
My GP never sent me for any scans and told me I was just depressed and was imagining the pain. I ran my own business and was always too busy to take things further so basically just put up with horrific chronic fatigue & pain for over 10 years. I eventually was advised to take 6 months off work as I was totally burnt out. I went to Australia on my own travelling & a few weeks before setting off my old uni boyfriend emailed to see how I was doing...after 15yrs of losing touch after uni! It transpired he lived in Sydney! He picked me up from the airport...& a year later asked me to marry him! I moved to Sydney to be with him but we’ve moved back to Uk this year to do donor treatment. Unfortunately within a year of moving to Sydney I start feeling even worse & collapsed, felt v dizzy like I’d been poisoned & couldn’t stay conscious. We’d also been trying unsuccessfully to conceive and the consultant there suggested a laparoscopy to see what was going on as a blood test pointed to some issues. They found I was riddled with severe endometriosis which had also shut off my kidney and I was being poisoned. All v frightening. Unfortunately I had a few surgeries in Sydney but have a v aggressive form of Endo which kept coming back, I searched the world for different surgeons and found a brilliant one who did a 9hr op to try and help my pain a couple of years ago, unfortunately that reduced my fertility a lot. The Endo has now come back in my diaphragm and bits & bobs elsewhere and is inoperable now.
Unfortunately it’s a v tricky illness which most GPs know nothing about, in fact most specialists don’t understand it. Because health care is private in Oz, they do a lot more tests and were also able to see from an MRI I had a lot of issues, the NHS GP would have never sanctioned an MRI here as they’re so expensive. If they had I would have been diagnosed far sooner, unfortunately an ultrasound doesn’t always pick up Endo and I had it in unusual places & unusual symptoms so it wouldn’t have been seen easily.
So after all that, yes I’ve had it v bad but I also got back with a lovely man who is the kindest person ever and has been a tower of strength, we’ve still not been able to get married 5 years on, but hopefully one day things will be rosier and we can have things to look forward to.
I wish you all the best in doing what you are, it doesn’t stop u from meeting someone lovely in the future either. My fiancé said he would have fully accepted if I’d had a child from any previous relationship when he’d met me again, not all men are bad, just most are useless!
Concentrate on YOU for now & all the v v best to you love xxx
Thank you so much... you seem to have been on a long hard journey and you're still fighting for your dream.
I'm so sorry that they didn't pick up on the endometriosis and I truly hope that you do get rewarded and get your baby.
I am glad you got back with your uni boyf that's a proper love story and hopefully his support will keep you going... thank you so much for your messages... please update me on your progress and I'll prob ask for your advice when I begin the ivf process if that's ok... I'm Really scared of doing it alone. As a child you have dreams of a family and you believe that's just part of life and something you'll definitely get... but as you get older you realise relationships... babies... well the whole thing can be quite hard to make happen... xx
Thanks again for your lovely message. Get in touch any time u need to re the IVF process, I’ve been through it five times so I know a little about it, but there are also lots of different formats/drugs used/methods so post any questions on the forum too as you’ll find good feedback from those going thru similar as no one had exactly the same experience.
I know it’s so scary but I think you’re doing the right thing and taking control as best you can to realise your dream and that takes real courage. As you said, we all go through life thinking it’s our god given right to get certain things and only when you’re older do u sometimes see that things don’t quite always go to plan and it totally throws you. If it’s any consolation, when I have had nice things happen, I truly think I really notice them a lot more than other people who’ve had an easier time of it would, and I take nothing good for granted now. Tough life experiences really shape you and while I wish my life had been easier, I’m also glad of some of the changes I’ve had to make and seeing the strength I didn’t fully realise I had! While it’s horrid to be continually tested I’m a great believer in the rewards materialising at some point. Message me any time and no question is a silly question, and if I can relieve a bit of your worry then great! All the very best xx
Thanks so much... this forum just makes you feel like someone is out there and that others are going through the same thing. As sometimes it's very isolating.
I really really Hope you get your baby soon... that's a lot of ivf you've been through. It must be exhausting... but your positivity is great.
I start ivf lite in a few weeks and I have picked a donor... it'd be great to ask you for advice and others on here...
I am still really worried about doing it on my own... but i want to try more than anything. Everyone I speak to says remain positive and don't stress... I'm trying too.
I will def message you on my progress and please message me anytime too.. I can't really give great advice as I have no experience at the moment... but I'm always here to listen.
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