At our clinic Acunatural Health, we help many women with low AMH levels increase their chances of conception with acupuncture and Chinese medicine.  AMH Anti-Mullerian hormone level is a blood test that evaluates how many eggs remain in a women’s ovaries. This is also known as ovarian reserve. However, levels of AMH do not tell us anything about the quality of your eggs. The quality of eggs mainly depends upon your age and cannot be evaluated unless the eggs are taken outside of your body.

Every woman experiences a natural decline in AMH over time. At the time of menopause, the AMH levels become undetectable. The AMH is a relatively novel marker for measuring ovarian reserve. The normal serum AMH level range is 2-6.8ng/ml in any cycle phase. Lower levels of AMH 0.5-1nh/ml can relate to diminished ovarian reserve. Diminished ovarian reserve is one of the leading causes of infertility in women today affecting 10 to 30% of women.

AMH gives us an idea regarding the chances of conceiving in the future. Additionally, AMH levels can also help assess the chance of entering premature menopause. In early menopause, the woman loses all of her eggs prematurely and cannot reproduce anymore. Typically premature menopause is preceded by a period of diminished ovarian reserve. And thereby helps in assessing the chances of fertility in the future. Lower levels of AMH does not indicate infertility. But other factors when combined with low levels of AMH will lead to infertility.

Signs of low AMH

Lower levels of AMH may present the following clinical symptoms.
– Short, long or very irregular periods
– Light bleeding
– Premature menopause
– Little cervical mucus
– Dry and sore cervix
– Amenorrhea
– Lower energy
– Lower back pain- Knee joint pain
– Palpitations
– Shortness of breath
– Anxiety
– Irritability
– Insomnia
– Flushing easily
– Thirst
– Dry eyes
– Dizziness
– Chest pain
– Tinnitus

Causes of low AMH

1. Endometriosis: a condition in which the tissues generally found inside the uterus grows outside the uterus is called endometriosis. This inflammation and scar tissue damage the ovaries resulting in low AMH.
2. Genetic factors: positive history of low AMH in families can also affect your levels of AMH
3. PCOS is the most common female reproductive disorder. Which also affects the AMH levels.
4. Autoimmune diseases
5. Chemotherapy: it increases the risk of low AMH.
6. Lifestyle changes
7. Age women over 35
8. Weight loss
9. Birth control pill
10. Ovarian surge
11. Induced abortion.

These are the main causes behind low AMH. Other than this recent studies suggest that anxiety also causes low AMH levels. Lifestyle conditions like sleep quality, intense exercise, and younger age of menarche may also cause low levels of AMH.

Complications of low AMH include;
– Lower fertility:
– Abnormal pregnancy: low levels of AMH may affect the quality of eggs and thereby causing gene changes leading to abnormal pregnancy.
– Miscarriage: in some cases, low levels of AMH can be a cause of miscarriages.

Our article on the interaction of FSH and LSH with AMH can be found here Acupuncture for Ovarian Reserve and AMH levels (acunaturalhealth.com.au).

How does Acupuncture increase AMH levels?

Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture may help you to overcome these low levels of AMH and fertility issues. Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture improve ovarian reserve and function. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the kidney dominates the reproductive system, the heart house the mind of the spirit, the liver is in charge of stored blood and the spleen is the source of blood and qi(energy). The harmonious flow of energy throughout the body helps maintain the equilibrium of the body. But when this energy flow is disturbed it will cause health issues.

Commonly found energy imbalances are;
1. Kidney and liver yin deficiency
2. Kidney yin deficiency liver Qi stagnation
3. Kidney yin deficiency and blood stagnation
4. Kidney and heart are not communicated
5. Qi and blood deficiency.

The pathogenesis of traditional Chinese medicine is mainly due to kidney deficiency with heart, liver, and spleen energy imbalance. The general principle of treatment is to nourish yin and tonify yang, clear the heat, soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen.

In cases of low AMH levels, Acupuncture along with certain Chinese herbs can work very well.

A recent randomised controlled trial found that Acupuncture treatment over three menstrual cycles significantly increased serum levels of AMH and AFC compared to women in the observation group who took femoston for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) (Wang et al. 2021).  See the published trial here – [Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment by stages based on the theory of “transformation of yin and yang” for premature ovarian insufficiency]. – Abstract – Europe PMC

Management of low levels of AMH with Acupuncture and herbal formula

Acupuncture is performed by stimulating certain acupuncture points in the body. Acupuncture points like LR8, LR3, LR14, SP6, SP10, PE6, PE7, ST29, KD3, KD6, REN4, and REN 6 are used to restore the normal flow of energy throughout the body and correct the energy imbalance and strengthen the body.

The practitioner may also prescribe herbs tailored to the patient’s needs.  Commonly prescribed herbs include Dang Gui, Shu di; sheng di, Du Zhong, Tu si zi, Xu duan, Sang ji sheng.

If you are suffering from this complaint or you want a solution for low levels of AMH then please choose traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Acupuncture is safe and effective. Contact us and start your acupuncture sessions. Our experienced acupuncturist will take care of your health. Book your appointment now

Jane Ma
AcuNatural Health 07 31626888

Reference List

Wang L.L, Xiang Y.G, Tan L, (2021) Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment by stages based on the theory of “transformation of yin and yang” for premature ovarian insufficiency. Zhongguo Zhen jiu. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion. 2021 Jul;41(7):742-746. DOI: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200627-k0001. PMID: 34259405.