As the age at which people start trying to conceive continues to rise, many only encounter fertility indicators such as AMH and ovarian reserve when they begin preparing for pregnancy. For families considering surrogacy in Mexico, ovarian reserve deserves particular attention if they plan to use their own eggs to create embryos.
Does Low AMH Mean Low Ovarian Reserve?
AMH, or anti-Müllerian hormone, is mainly produced by small growing follicles in the ovaries and is one of the important indicators used to assess ovarian reserve. A lower AMH level generally suggests that the number of follicles available for recruitment may be relatively limited, which may also affect the number of eggs retrieved during ovarian stimulation.
However, AMH primarily reflects the number of follicles in the ovaries. It does not directly indicate egg quality, nor can a single AMH value determine whether someone can become pregnant. Age, baseline hormone levels, antral follicle count, and previous response to ovarian stimulation should all be considered together.
Can You Still Retrieve Eggs With Low AMH?
Yes.
Low ovarian reserve does not mean there are no eggs, nor does it mean IVF is impossible. Once an ovarian stimulation cycle begins, doctors monitor follicle development through ultrasound and hormone testing and adjust the medication protocol according to the individual's response.
For people with lower AMH levels, the number of eggs retrieved after stimulation may be relatively limited. However, egg count is only one part of the entire cycle. The number of mature eggs, fertilization results, and embryo development also need to be evaluated.
What Tests Should You Focus on With Low AMH?
If testing shows a low AMH level, other indicators can be assessed to better understand ovarian function.
First is the antral follicle count, which refers to the number of small visible follicles in both ovaries observed through transvaginal ultrasound. The woman's age is also important. Ovarian reserve and egg quality are two different concepts, while age is closely associated with the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in eggs and reproductive outcomes. Therefore, even two women with similar AMH levels may have very different fertility planning needs.
After embryos develop to the blastocyst stage, IVF-PGT can also be performed. This is an embryonic genetic testing process that analyzes the chromosomal status of embryos and provides more information for subsequent embryo selection and transfer. For families hoping to plan their embryos more systematically, this is also an important technical step to understand when preparing for pregnancy.
Low AMH does not mean that a fertility plan has to stop. What matters is understanding ovarian reserve, the actual response to ovarian stimulation, and how many embryos can ultimately be developed as early as possible. Power Fertility Clinic is a fully licensed reproductive medical facility in Mexico operated directly by a U.S. assisted reproductive services organization and following U.S. FDA standards. Located in central Mexico City, it is only 500 meters from the U.S. Embassy and is equipped with an advanced laboratory and professional team, providing one-stop reproductive medical services. Power IVF offers egg donation, sperm donation, third-party reproduction services, as well as egg freezing, IVF, and embryo screening (PGT-A). In Mexico, IVF, gender selection, and third-party reproduction are legally available to all families, including single, married, and LGBTQ families, while regulations support the import of cryopreserved tissue, including sperm, eggs, and embryos. Power IVF is licensed to receive cryopreserved tissue from overseas, providing clients with efficient and professional fertility solutions.
