It's generally accepted to test your AMH while on contraception (and it's convenient too!). But it's important to know that certain types of contraception called hormonal contraceptives can sometimes lower AMH levels while you're using them and for some time after stopping. However, this doesn't happen to everyone. If your AMH levels are affected, it's important to know that only the AMH level in your blood has been temporarily lowered - you haven’t lost any eggs. Once you stop using your hormonal contraceptive and wait a little while, your AMH will return to its usual level.

The tricky part is predicting who will be affected and to what extent. For some; there's no impact; for others, the effect is small, and in some cases, it can significantly lower AMH levels. So we've put together a list of Q&A's to answer some of the most important things you need to know about AMH and hormonal contraception.

Do all types of contraceptives have the potential to temporarily lower AMH levels?

No, only hormonal contraceptives. The following contraceptive types are hormonal:

The below types of contraceptives don’t contain hormones and have no effect on your AMH:

Do hormonal contraceptives always affect AMH levels, and by how much?

No, hormonal contraceptives don’t always affect AMH levels. For some, there's no impact at all, and for others, AMH may be slightly lowered without changing the result range (e.g. an "in-range" is still an "in-range"). However, in certain people, hormonal contraceptives can lower AMH enough to shift the result to a different range (e.g. from "in-range" to "low"). It's important to remember, this doesn’t mean you’ve lost any eggs - it's just the AMH level in your blood that's been temporarily lowered by your hormonal contraceptive.

When could my AMH be temporarily lowered by my hormonal contraceptive?

If you are currently using a hormonal contraceptive or have used one in the last 3 months, there's a chance that your AMH could be temporarily lowered.

If my hormonal contraceptive could possibly affect my AMH, why would I test?

WHEN’s Egg Count Check identifies if you are currently at risk of running out of eggs early. This is important reproductive health information because if you are, knowing sooner puts you in the best position to keep your fertility options open. Even though your current or recent (within 3 months) use of hormonal contraception could temporarily lower your AMH, testing is still valuable. Here’s why:

1. If your result comes back “in-range” or higher, there are two possibilities:

Either way, you’re not currently at risk of running out of eggs early.

2. If your result comes back “low”, there are two possibilities:

So, testing while your AMH might be affected by your hormonal contraceptive can still confirm that you're not currently at risk of running out of eggs early. Just keep in mind that if your result does come back "low", further investigation may be necessary.

I tested my AMH either while using my hormonal contraceptive or within 3 months of stopping. How can I tell if my AMH result was temporarily lowered?

The only way to confirm if your AMH result was affected by your hormonal contraceptive is to retest after 3 months have passed since stopping use. If you're considering stopping your hormonal contraceptive for this reason, it's important to make that decision with your healthcare practitioner. They can discuss your individual situation and help you weigh the benefits. And remember, always use a reliable form of contraception if you don't want to become pregnant.

If I wait 3 months after stopping my hormonal contraceptive and retest, will my AMH result be higher?

The answer could be yes or no. Your hormonal contraceptive might not have affected your AMH levels, meaning your original result is accurate. It's possible that your AMH was only slightly affected, so while the number may increase, it could still fall within the same range (e.g. your "low" is still a "low"). Finally, your AMH levels may have been significantly affected, and your retest could show a higher result, possibly also moving you to a different range.

My AMH came back "low", "in-range" or "high" while using my hormonal contraceptive or within 3 months of stopping. Do I need to retest to find out if it was temporarily lowered?

You should discuss with your healthcare practitioner whether retesting is necessary, considering your individual circumstances and the possibility that your AMH may have been temporarily lowered.

I’ve recently stopped using my hormonal contraceptive but it hasn’t been 3 months yet - can I test my AMH?

Yes, you can test, but it's probably best to wait until 3 months have passed since stopping to ensure your AMH result isn't affected by your recent hormonal contraceptive use.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION‍

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for independent medical advice. You should always speak with a medical professional if you wish to assess your fertility and before making any decisions about healthcare, including contraception.

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