Many factors can cause low AMH levels. It can simply be due to normal variation in women’s ovarian reserve, or other causes, such as a history of ovarian surgery, endometriosis, cancer treatment, or primary ovarian insufficiency.

Low AMH at a Young Age? Know the Causes

A low AMH result is probably expected at an older age, but when a woman at a young age has a low Anti-Mullerian Hormone level, it’s natural to wonder how it will affect fertility. A fertility specialist in Thane uses AMH as a marker for your ovarian reserve, showing your remaining egg count.

Low AMH means you have fewer eggs than what’s considered normal for your age. This might normally raise concerns, such as “What’s causing my AMH to decline when I have not even reached my 30s?” or “What if it means I can never become pregnant”? This post will help you understand the connection between AMH and fertility, and what could possibly be causing a drop in your AMH levels at a young age.

Common Causes of Low AMH Levels For Women Under 40

Low AMH doesn’t mean women can’t conceive naturally. While it reveals the ovarian reserve, it doesn’t tell anything about your egg quality or ovulation pattern. Many women with fewer good-quality eggs conceive naturally, while those with adequate AMH levels yet poor-quality eggs struggle to get pregnant. The point is, AMH is only a part of the fertility picture.

Natural Variation

Women are born with a finite number of eggs, which keep depleting with age. Ovarian reserve of women varies significantly. Also, the rate at which the reserve declines can vary between women. So, those with a low AMH at a young age may not necessarily have an underlying issue, but normally have a smaller ovarian reserve.

Ovarian Surgery

Another factor that could speed up the depletion of your ovarian reserve is a history of ovarian surgery. For example, a surgery to remove ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or other conditions can remove healthy tissue along with the abnormal ovarian tissue, thus resulting in a reduced AMH level. This is why, when assessing your AMH levels duringinfertility treatment in Thane, a gynecologist may ask about your surgical history.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis can sometimes affect AMH levels, particularly if they cause endometriomas or chocolate cysts on the ovaries. These cysts can affect blood supply to the ovaries and cause inflammation, which can disrupt egg-producing follicles. That said, not every woman with endometriosis will automatically have a low ovarian reserve. It depends largely on the extent of the disease, its location, and whether you have had an ovarian surgery to remove the lesion.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Certain autoimmune disorders, genetic conditions, or a history of chemotherapy or radiation therapy can increase the risk of POI. It’s when your ovaries stop functioning at a young age, before 40, causing a sudden decline in estrogen production and irregular or absent periods.

Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy kills rapidly multiplying cancer cells, including the healthy cells in your ovaries. Women who have gone through chemotherapy or radiation therapy, particularly for cancers of the reproductive organs, may naturally have a low ovarian reserve due to the treatment history.