Does Low AMH Mean Your Client Can’t Get Pregnant Naturally? Get the Facts.
As a fertility or hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery coach, you may encounter clients who are concerned about their ability to get pregnant naturally due to their low AMH levels, which is a common worry, especially among women with Primary Amenorrhea. Let’s break down whether or not AMH numbers are indicators of long term natural fertility.
What is AMH?
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone), is secreted by ovarian follicles, and is mainly used to estimate a woman's remaining ovarian reserve. The more eggs a woman has in her ovarian reserve, the higher her AMH levels tend to be. Conversely, lower AMH levels are often associated with being closer to menopause.
Coach’s Nugget: Women with HA or Primary Amenorrhea, excluding PCOS, often experience low AMH levels due to the suppression of key functions responsible for follicle production in the ovaries, such as GnRH and FSH. These deficiencies result in decreased ovarian AMH production rather than diminished ovarian reserve. Therefore, low AMH attributed to HA can be reversed by restoring the function of GnRH and FSH through energy availability restoration.
Why does it matter as an HA and fertility coach
Medical professionals may test AMH levels to gain insight into a woman's fertility. Unfortunately, some might use low AMH levels as a predictor of fertility issues, telling women they are in early menopause or that natural pregnancy isn't possible.
To tell a woman she is infertile and that she can not get pregnant (when she has HA) hits deep into the soul. These diagnoses stick with women for a long time and it takes a lot of work for them to believe that HA is reversible and that she will be able to ovulate.
If you're working with a client who has HA, wants to get pregnant and has been told she is infertile because she has low AMH levels, offering education and missing information not provided by their doctor can be invaluable.
For example: Studies have shown that restoring GnRH and FSH through energy availability restoration can restore AMH levels, meaning it can be reversed. Furthermore, research on AMH and fertility has consistently shown that AMH levels don't predict whether or not you'll be able to get pregnant naturally. But, they can be helpful in determining how responsive you might be to fertility treatments.
Empowering your client with the knowledge that labs are not everything and that their fertility isn’t static or permanent, can be profoundly reassuring.
If diving deeper into AMH levels, how it can be reversed and coaching clients through this journey intrigues you, consider enrolling in the HHAP certification. Our next round commences in March 2024.
For more on AMH levels and a case study review, check out this additional blog post I wrote!
Want to learn even more about topics like this to help you become the best HA recovery coach you can? Learn more about the HHAP Certification.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35787707/
