AMH 0.8 pmol/l. Going it alone.

[YouWithoutEnd]

Hi all,

I posted this rather embarrassing thread in relationships a few weeks ago; www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/4699524-new-relationship-male-factor-infertility?reply=122355846

As someone predicted, it did turn out to be a rebound and he ended things on Tuesday evening, quite out of the blue, despite telling me endlessly in the days before how much he loved me, etc. Sitting gooey eyed across the table in a restaurant discussing our reasons for wanting children, him getting back to the GP to follow up on his previous poor SA results.

Anyway, that’s all by the by, and has really paled into insignificance, as the day after I received my AMH test results through with quite a worrying result.

I’m 36 years old, cycle irregular, 23-31, periods around 3-5 days long, usually 3. Periods are light and not painful. BMI 24.5.

My AMH came back at 0.8 pmol/l which falls into the categories for the ovarian reserve of ages 40-44.

I’ve booked the Antral Follicle Count USS for the 30th Jan with Create Fertility (as I understand they specialise in mild IVF), and have the follow up call with the fertility specialist on the 7th Feb.

I think my best option now, knowing that time is quite short, will be to consider going it alone with donor sperm. I certainly don’t think I’ve got the time to be dating and finding a loving relationship to have a child in, and I don’t want to miss my chance to be a mother.

I would have NHS Maternity pay, financial help from family as well as practical childcare help.

Just wondered if anyone had any wisdom to impart that might be relevant to my situation? Supplements I could take? Experiences of going it alone? Similar AMH success or failure stories? Etc.

Thank you.

Hi OP I just wanted to jump on to simply say re the AMH, it might not be as bad as you think as I had exactly that result (0.8pmol) at 34 when I began egg freezing and I'm still ovulating as normal 2 years later (although I also have irregular periods). I've been doing egg freezing over the past 2 years and have been an awful responder so I'm only getting 1 egg a cycle (also with Create) but it's not a case of extremely low AMH meaning your eggs are going to stop immediately. I also had a chemical pregnancy in November (as I've been trying to get pregnant naturally with a partner in between for the last 6ish months) So I know they can fertilise a bit at least, even if they don't stick! The month I got pregnant was the only month we tried properly every 2-3 days too so who knows if I'd have had more success doing that properly sooner...

If I was in your position (comfortable with the idea of donor for babies etc) I would perhaps see how you get on with making some embryos and freezing them. There are pretty good success rates for frozen embryo cycles being almost as successful as a fresh embryo cycle for IVF so you can then maybe take it a bit slowly and see if you meet someone to have a baby with over the next year or two and then go to the frozen embryos if not? It's a much better idea than egg freezing btw which I say as someone who's done/ doing egg freezing! I'm just not sure about sperm donor yet so it's not for me..

If you're totally happy with having a baby now though then that's different ofc and go for it! I haven't read your other post but I'm just thinking if you were 36 without thinking you'd got fertility issues then if you're banking some embryos you might get on OK with that and meeting someone too so don't let the AMH situation totally terrify you, but good to have advice and options.

Also you might still have a decent number of follicles (which is what you need for IVF) with an AMH of 0.8- I used to get between 4-6 follicles at the beginning of my egg freezing journey 2 years ago... now its usually 1-2 but I imagine my AMH has dropped massively since then!

Good luck!

Hi @Rosiestraws

I’ve just been for my AFC scan, and had 3 follicles on my right ovary, and then a large corpus luteum cyst (?from last cycle) on my left ovary which was obscuring her view of any potential follicles on my left.

She said three follicles are better news than my AMH of 0.8, but we obviously don’t know if there’s any eggs in them.

I’m really sad, and don’t know what I want to do now :(

Have you read It Starts With the Egg? I'd recommend taking the supplements it recommends. I had low amh and it made a difference. You sound like you have a good number of follicles. Fingers crossed for you.

Hi @YouWithoutEnd I had 2 follicles and an AMH of 1.0 pmol so not too far from your result. I knew I has to try so I did 3 rounds and was very lucky that I got a good embryo which became my DS. Follicle count can fluctuate so you may find you have more next time. Also at 36 your eggs should still be good.

I think you have to remember that the AMH result and the AFC are helpful information as to how many eggs you have left, and how well you might respond to IVF but not your ability to get pregnant (Unless AMH is 0 and you're no longer having periods etc) Ultimately, you only need one egg so 3 follicles isn't the worst thing in the world. As I said, I had your levels of AMH 2 years ago and I'm still ovulating etc now.. I'm sure my AMH is way lower than that now I'm 36 but there's no benefit to finding out. I have always thought that if I am lucky enough to get pregnant, I will get my AMH tested afterwards just to know how much it has dropped etc though and I'll post on here for other women's info...

The cyst sounds fine/normal... I've often had cysts on an ovary when I've had a scan and then it's gone the next month. Although you usually can't start treatment on the month you have a cyst.

I think you have to just try to be positive that you have this information now and are presumably (from your post) in a position to do something about it, whether that's freezing eggs/embryos or going ahead with a sperm donor. Try to feel empowered and grateful for the information - I know it's hard to do though and I've cried so, so much over the last few years but you've got to find a way to put a positive spin on it.

It might also help if you get some ovulating testing strips and check when you're ovulating/get to know your cycle etc to see if that brings you some comfort that things are at least working normally on that front.

@Rosiestraws thank you for sharing your journey! I am in the same position as you. I have very Low AMH and have undergone multiple cycles of egg freezing. I am now moving onto embryo freezing.