Review of clinical indicators, including serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels, for identification of women who should consider egg freezing.

Abstract

To identify women, on the basis of clinical history and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, who are at risk of premature ovarian insufficiency and thereby guide appropriate early referral for egg freezing. In a retrospective study, data were reviewed from women attending two fertility clinics in Dublin, Ireland, between August 2011 and December 2012. Case histories of women aged 35years or younger were assessed to identify risk factors for reduced ovarian reserve, including endometriosis, ovarian surgery, and family history of premature ovarian failure (POF). Among 490 women aged 35years or younger, 195 (39.7%) had an AMH level below 10pmol/L, 94 (19.2%) had an AMH below 5pmol/L, and 21 (4.3%) had an AMH below 1pmol/L. Among 104 women aged 30years or younger, the respective numbers were 28 (26.9%), 15 (14.4%), and 9 (8.7%). Among the 490 women, significantly lower AMH levels were observed for those with endometriosis (P=0.017) and a family history of POF (P=0.006). However, 53 (56.4%) of 94 women aged 35years or younger with low AMH levels had no clinical risk factors. Universal AMH screening should be considered for all women in their 30s who are not ready to try to conceive; clinical risk factors will only identify approximately 50% of women at risk of low ovarian reserve.