At Essential Fertility®, we offer affordable, nurse-led treatments for people who may have been on a long NHS wait list, those who can't afford the traditional costs associated with privately funded fertility treatment, or those who want access to value IVF by a team that cares.
Whatever your journey to Essential Fertility, all patients must meet our eligibility criteria – a set of guidelines we use to determine if you'd be suitable for one of our all-inclusive treatment packages.
So, what are the eligibility markers for Essential Fertility treatments?
Our criteria consider your age and BMI and require you to know your Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) level. This will allow us to assess whether Essential Fertility may have a treatment package perfect for your needs.
But what is AMH, and how do you go about measuring it? In this blog, we will explain what AMH is, why it's part of the Essential eligibility treatment criteria and what it means to the success of Essential IVF treatment.
What is Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)?
AMH refers to the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) produced by the ovarian follicles. Its levels in the blood can indicate the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries. AMH testing is commonly used in fertility testing, particularly for women undergoing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). It helps fertility specialists assess a female's ovarian reserve and predicts the response to ovarian stimulation medications used in IVF.
What does AMH indicate?
Anti-Mullerian Hormone is produced by the follicles – egg sacs – that contain all the immature eggs you have in your ovaries. Every woman has a set supply of immature eggs, which reduces as you age. By measuring your AMH level through a simple, non-invasive blood test, we can indicate how many immature eggs you have, otherwise known as your ovarian reserve, and how you may respond to Essential IVF® treatment.
What can affect your AMH?
When it comes to factors that affect AMH levels in women, the most common is age. However, other factors can influence your AMH result:
- Age: Women's ovarian reserve naturally declines as they age, resulting in lower AMH levels. Younger women typically have higher AMH levels compared to older women.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterised by enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts. Women with PCOS tend to have higher AMH levels due to an increased number of small follicles in their ovaries.
- Ovarian surgery or damage: Surgical procedures involving the ovaries, such as ovarian cyst removal or resection, can reduce the ovarian reserve and lower AMH levels.
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can harm the ovaries, reducing ovarian reserve and decreasing AMH levels.
- Certain medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) or autoimmune diseases affecting the ovaries, can impact AMH levels.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking and certain lifestyle factors, such as excessive alcohol consumption and obesity, may be associated with lower AMH levels.
It's important to note that while these factors can affect AMH levels, the blood test itself is a snapshot of ovarian reserve and does not provide a complete picture of fertility or the ability to conceive naturally or through fertility treatment like Essential IVF.
Why is AMH important for Essential Fertility treatments?
Your AMH helps us understand how well you'd react to the treatment protocols of our IVF, ICSI or egg-freezing packages and is, therefore, a key marker of eligibility for Essential Fertility treatments. For Essential IVF, ICSI & egg-freezing, we request patients have an AMH between 10 – 35
Patients who have had their initial tests at an alternative clinic can share existing results with our team to determine eligibility. Our criteria apply to the person who would like to undergo treatment. In the case of a heterosexual couple, the female partner, or same-sex female couples and single patients who need donor sperm for treatment, the person who wishes to carry the pregnancy. We believe in being open and transparent with our patients. Therefore, if your results suggest that you cannot proceed with Essential Fertility, don't worry; our fertility experts will explain all the options available and recommend the best treatment pathway.
Our eligibility criteria ensure we can keep costs low and success rates high for our patients.
Once you're ready to start your fertility journey, the last thing you want to encounter is a waiting list. That's why when your results are back, show that your AMH is above 10 and all other criteria is met, you could begin your treatment. If you're starting your fertility journey and need clarification on your AMH level, we encourage you to reach out for your initial tests.
Speak to our friendly New Patient team on 0345 646 1778 to discuss your eligibility for Essential IVF, ICSI or Egg Freezing, or you can ask them to book your AMH test today to see if you can proceed with Essential Fertility. Alternatively, you can check eligibility online via our website.
