For many years, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) was the go-to test for evaluating a woman’s ovarian reserve—the number of eggs she has remaining. But today, AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) has taken the lead. It is a more accurate, flexible, and informative test for understanding a woman’s reproductive potential.

Whether you are actively trying to conceive, planning for the future, or simply want to understand your fertility better, AMH provides key insights into your current egg supply and how it may change over time.

What Is AMH?

AMH is a hormone produced by the small follicles in a woman’s ovaries—the same follicles that contain immature eggs. AMH levels reflect the number of these follicles, which makes it a useful estimate of how many eggs you have left.

Unlike FSH, which fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle, AMH levels stay relatively stable. That makes it much easier to interpret and more reliable for assessing ovarian reserve.

What Is FSH, and Why Has It Fallen Out of Favor?

FSH is a hormone made by the brain that signals the ovaries to grow and mature eggs. While it’s still used in fertility assessments, it has limitations:

• It must be measured on a specific day of the cycle (usually day 2 or 3).

• Levels can vary month to month, which can make results inconsistent.

• It’s an indirect measure of ovarian reserve—it reflects how hard your brain is working to stimulate the ovaries, not the actual number of eggs left.

By contrast, AMH offers a more direct and consistent measurement of ovarian activity.

Why AMH Is Now the Preferred Test

AMH is now widely considered the most useful blood test for evaluating ovarian reserve. Here’s why:

✅ Test anytime – AMH can be measured on any day of your menstrual cycle.
✅ Stable levels – Unlike FSH, AMH doesn’t fluctuate significantly month to month.
✅ Early indicator – AMH levels drop before FSH levels rise, making it an earlier marker of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).
✅ Predicts fertility treatment response – AMH helps fertility doctors determine the right dose of medication for IVF and estimate how many eggs might be retrieved.
✅ Warns of very high egg count – Extremely high AMH (usually >5 ng/mL) may signal polycystic ovaries or a risk for ovarian hyperstimulation during treatment.
✅ Tracks changes over time – Regular AMH testing can help monitor your egg supply and fertility potential as you age.

What Do AMH Levels Mean?

• Higher AMH levels usually suggest a healthy ovarian reserve.

• Lower AMH levels often indicate fewer remaining eggs.

• AMH naturally declines with age, which is normal—but some women have lower-than-average levels for their age.

An AMH test can’t tell you the exact number of eggs or guarantee whether you’ll get pregnant, but it can help you make informed decisions about fertility timelines, egg freezing, or IVF.

Other Uses of AMH Testing

While AMH is most commonly used in female fertility evaluations, it has other important uses:

• Predicting menopause: AMH levels drop as a woman approaches menopause. While it can’t predict exactly when menopause will happen, a very low or undetectable AMH level may indicate that it’s near or has already occurred.

• Diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS often have elevated AMH levels due to having many small follicles.

• Monitoring ovarian cancer: AMH can help track the effectiveness of treatment or detect recurrence in certain types of ovarian tumors.

• In babies and children: AMH can be used to assess conditions like undescended testicles or atypical genital development, helping providers determine if functional reproductive tissue is present.

Why AMH Matters in Real Life

Understanding your AMH level can be empowering. If you’re trying to conceive now, it can guide the right fertility treatment. If you’re not ready for children yet, AMH testing can help you decide whether egg freezing or other options are worth exploring.

Most importantly, AMH provides a clearer, earlier snapshot of your fertility potential—allowing you and your doctor to plan accordingly.

Learn more about Getting Pregnant with Diminished Ovarian Reserve

Final Takeaway

While FSH still plays a role in fertility assessments, AMH has become the preferred test for ovarian reserve—and for good reason. It’s more convenient, more consistent, and more predictive of how you may respond to fertility treatments.

If you’re curious about your AMH level or wondering what your results mean, speak with your provider. A simple blood test could give you valuable information about your reproductive future.