Are Fertility Tests Worth Taking?

We support the findings from the JAMA article, as well as its assertions that age is one of the strongest indicators of fertility. But, there is still immense value to be gained from fertility tests.

Last year, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published an interesting study that put the spotlight on fertility testing. The study looked at the correlation between reproductive potential and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH–an indicator of a woman’s ovarian reserve or how many eggs we have, which is used in fertility tests). It found no correlation between a woman’s egg supply and her ability to conceive naturally. Ever since, the women’s health world has been abuzz with the question, “Are fertility tests even worth taking?”

We support the findings from the JAMA article, as well as its assertions that age is one of the strongest indicators of fertility. Measuring select hormones (like FSH, AMH & E2) does not offer an absolute predictor of future reproductive potential. But, there is still immense value to be gained from fertility tests, as many experts in the field will say.

Here’s why.

Now more than ever, getting a view into how our fertility health is evolving is crucial to planning for and starting our families.

We’re going through a massive demographic shift–it’s now more likely that women will start a family in their 30s than in their 20s. This is a meaningful and powerful change, one that signifies the increasing number of opportunities for women who are waiting to start a family due to financial reasons, career growth, relationship status, or any number of reasons. But, our biology does not wait. Now more than ever, getting a view into how our fertility health is evolving is crucial to planning for and starting our families.

Back to the JAMA study.

The study, which looked at women between the ages of 30 to 44 with no family history of infertility, found that women with a low level of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) did not have a significantly different predicted probability of conceiving naturally within a year, compared with women with normal AMH levels. The researchers therefore concluded that women should not use their AMH levels to assess their ability to conceive naturally, although pregnancy outcomes were not evaluated.

So, even if your AMH numbers are low, it doesn’t mean you’re infertile and not able to have a baby. In fact, your fertility ultimately depends on multiple factors in both you and your partner—including sperm quality, the quality of your eggs and the receptivity of your uterus.

Our fertility health goes far beyond just AMH levels. But fertility tests provide an important baseline for understanding women’s reproductive health. It’s why our Fertility Age Test is designed and delivered not as a green-or-red light, but rather a guiding tool that opens up discussions with medical professionals so women can confidently take next steps.

Do you have more questions about fertility? Sign up for our Nurse Concierge service to get your answers from our expert fertility nurses.