Low AMH and Ovarian Reserve Testing in Sydney
A fertility test to determine how many eggs you have left
An AMH test is a blood test that estimates your ovarian reserve, meaning how many eggs you have remaining, and it can be taken at any point in your menstrual cycle. A low result means fewer eggs than is typical for your age, but it says nothing about egg quality, and many women with low AMH conceive both naturally and through IVF. There is no proven way to permanently raise this hormone level, so treatment focuses on making the most of the eggs you have through tailored IVF stimulation, and in some cases through ovarian rejuvenation using platelet rich plasma. In Australia the test usually costs between $80 and $120 and is generally not covered by Medicare when requested for fertility screening alone.
At Demeter Fertility your AMH is never read in isolation. It is interpreted alongside your antral follicle count, FSH, estradiol and full reproductive history, because a single number has never yet told anyone the whole story about their fertility.
What is ovarian reserve?
Ovarian reserve is the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. A baby girl is born with around 2 million immature eggs. By puberty that has fallen to between 300,000 and 400,000. By age 37 most women have around 25,000 eggs left, and by 51, the average age of menopause in Australia, roughly 1,000.
That decline is normal and unavoidable, and it accelerates after the mid 30s. Ovarian reserve can also be affected by:
- Genetics and family history of early menopause
- Medical conditions such as endometriosis and autoimmune disorders
- Previous ovarian surgery
- Cancer treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which is why medical egg freezing is offered before treatment begins
- Smoking and other lifestyle factors
What is AMH testing?
AMH stands for anti Müllerian hormone. It is produced by the small follicles in your ovaries, which is why the level in your blood correlates with how many follicles you have.
A higher AMH level generally suggests a larger ovarian reserve. A low AMH level suggests a diminished ovarian reserve.
The most important thing to understand is what AMH does not measure. It does not measure egg quality, and egg quality is the factor most closely tied to whether an embryo is chromosomally normal. A woman of 32 with low AMH and a woman of 44 with the same AMH are in very different clinical positions, because their egg quality differs even though their egg quantity looks similar on paper.
Ovarian reserve testing in Sydney: What is involved
Ovarian reserve testing at Demeter Fertility is a panel rather than a single test. Your AMH result is interpreted alongside
Antral follicle count (via ultrasound)
A transvaginal ultrasound that counts the small follicles visible in each ovary at the start of your cycle. It gives a direct visual measure of reserve and is a strong predictor of how you will respond to IVF stimulation.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
A blood test taken early in your cycle. A raised FSH can indicate that your body is working harder to recruit follicles.
Estradiol levels
Interpreted with FSH, because a high estradiol can mask an elevated FSH result.
Previous pregnancies, previous IVF response, cycle regularity, surgical history and family history of early menopause all inform how your results are read.
This combined approach is why two patients with identical AMH results can receive very different treatment recommendations.
How to Get an AMH Test in Australia: Process & Costs
Start with your GP, who can review your history and refer you to a fertility specialist. We have also set out what to expect at your first fertility appointment. The test itself is a simple blood draw that can be done at any point in your cycle, so there is no need to wait for a particular day.
An AMH test is generally not covered by a Medicare rebate when it is requested for fertility screening aloneOut of pocket, the test typically costs between $80 and $120.
At Demeter Fertility, AMH testing forms part of a comprehensive fertility assessment rather than being sold as a standalone product.
What does a low result mean for your fertility?
Receiving a low result is confronting, and the first question is almost always whether pregnancy is still possible. It is.
A low result means fewer eggs are available, not that the remaining eggs are of poor quality, and it only takes one healthy egg to result in a pregnancy. Our guide to ovarian reserve and low AMH goes into this in more detail. Conception depends on egg quality, sperm health, tubal function and the uterine environment, none of which are measured by an AMH test.
What it does change is the strategy. With low AMH it usually means there is less time to work with, focusing on one good egg over using higher dose-FSH to encourage more eggs, and that decisions should not be deferred indefinitely.
Can you improve your ovarian reserve?
There is currently no scientifically proven way to permanently increase an AMH level, and you should be sceptical of anything marketed as doing so.
What can be supported is your overall fertility and your response to treatment:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- A balanced, nutrient rich diet
- Stopping smoking and limiting alcohol
- Managing underlying conditions such as thyroid disorders and PCOS
- Vitamin D and other deficiencies corrected where identified
We offer some naturopathy and acupuncture treatments to work alongside your specialist on this side of your care. These measures will not raise your AMH number, but they may improve how you respond to treatment.
Low AMH IVF Treatment options in Sydney
Treatment depends on your age, your AMH and antral follicle count, your previous IVF response and your goals.
We may recommend:
Ovarian rejuvenation with PRP
Demeter Fertility’s trailblazing Ovarian Rejuvenation program with PRP that seeks to help you produce new eggs to improve your chance of conceiving.
DuoStim double stimulation
Two stimulations and two egg collections within a single menstrual cycle. For women with low ovarian reserve and limited time, this can accumulate embryos faster than consecutive conventional cycles.
PGT testing
Where several embryos are available, genetic testing may help identify which are chromosomally normal.
Donor eggs
An option, not an inevitability. We will discuss it honestly if it becomes the most realistic path, but we do not present it as the only option simply because your AMH is low.
Over-40s fertility
Our dedicated IVF over 40s program addresses both factors together.
Your fertility specialist will guide you through these options, helping you choose the most appropriate approach for your circumstances.
Demeter Fertility is where ovarian rejuvenation began in Australia. The country’s first intraovarian PRP procedure was performed here in 2017 and Dr Knight have since completed hundreds of them.
The treatment involves injecting platelet rich plasma, prepared from your own blood, directly into your ovaries under ultrasound guidance. The growth factors in the platelets are thought to support follicle development, and a 2024 systematic review of 38 studies covering 2,256 women reported statistically significant improvements in the main fertility parameters of women with diminished ovarian reserve.
For these patients specifically, the goal is a better response to IVF stimulation and more quality eggs per cycle. It is an emerging treatment, it is not suitable for everyone, and improvements in markers do not guarantee a live birth. What we can offer is an honest assessment of whether it is likely to help in your case, from the team with the longest experience of it in the country.
Read the science behind the treatment, or ask about it at your assessment.
Could PRP help Low AMH and ovarian rejuvenation?
Why choose Demeter Fertility for ovarian reserve testing
- A comprehensive assessment rather than a single number
- Access to treatments most clinics do not offer, including ovarian rejuvenation and DuoStim
- No age limit and no BMI restriction on treatment
- Winner, Most Trusted Family Owned Fertility Clinic 2024, NSW Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards
- Four Sydney consulting locations, plus telehealth for interstate and international patients
- The same clinical team throughout your journey
Ready to Chat? Book your assessment
If you have had a low AMH result, or you want to understand your ovarian reserve before making decisions, book an assessment with a Demeter fertility specialist. You will leave with a clear picture of where you stand and what your realistic options are.
Hurstville: Suite 901, Level 9, Hurstville Plaza One, 288 Forest Rd, Hurstville NSW 2220. Phone 1300 899 850
Liverpool: Level 2/13 to 15 Moore St, Liverpool NSW 2170. Phone 1300 899 850
Westmead: Suite 9, Westmead Private Hospital, Cnr Darcy and Mons Road, Westmead NSW 2145. Phone (02) 9633 1349
Wahroonga: 212/185 Fox Valley Rd, Wahroonga NSW 2076. Phone (02) 9598 0211
FAQs About Low AMH and Ovarian Reserve Testing in Sydney
What is the AMH test for?
The AMH test is a blood test that measures anti Müllerian hormone to estimate your ovarian reserve, meaning the quantity of eggs remaining in your ovaries. It is one of the core tests in a fertility assessment.
What should my AMH be for my age?
AMH is highest in your mid 20s and declines steadily from your mid 30s. Reference ranges vary between Australian laboratories, which is why a result should be interpreted by a fertility specialist in the context of your age, antral follicle count and reproductive history rather than compared against a chart online.
What does it mean when your AMH is low?
A low AMH suggests a diminished ovarian reserve, meaning fewer remaining eggs than is typical for your age group. It does not measure egg quality and it does not mean you cannot conceive.
Can I get pregnant with low AMH?
Yes. Many women with low AMH conceive naturally and through IVF. A low result helps your specialist tailor a treatment plan and avoid wasting time on approaches that are unlikely to work for you.
How is diminished ovarian reserve treated in Sydney?
There is no treatment that permanently raises an AMH level. Low AMH treatment focuses on personalised stimulation protocols designed to maximise egg yield, and in selected cases on ovarian rejuvenation using platelet rich plasma. DuoStim double stimulation may also be recommended where time is a factor.
Can PRP improve AMH levels?
Some published studies report improvements in AMH and antral follicle count after ovarian PRP, including a 2024 systematic review of 38 studies. Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Suitability is assessed case by case.
Is the AMH test covered by Medicare in Australia?
Generally no, when it is requested purely for fertility screening. The out of pocket cost is usually between $80 and $120.
How accurate is an AMH test?
AMH is a reliable measure of egg quantity and can be taken at any point in your cycle. It is not a predictor of natural conception on its own, and it tells you nothing about egg quality, which is why it is always read alongside other tests.
What is a good antral follicle count?
Antral follicle count is interpreted relative to your age and alongside your AMH and FSH results. It is a strong predictor of how you will respond to IVF stimulation, and your specialist will explain what your count means for your protocol.
Where can I get ovarian reserve testing in Sydney?
Demeter Fertility provides ovarian reserve testing at its Hurstville, Wahroonga, Liverpool and Westmead consulting suites, as part of a comprehensive fertility assessment rather than as a standalone test.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.