Low AMH: Why Functional Fertility Programs Are the Missing Step Before IVF

The Question Everyone Asks

On Reddit and fertility forums, one question comes up again and again:

“My AMH was already low, and now it’s dropped further - is IVF my only option?”

It’s a heartbreaking situation to be in. You’ve been told your ovarian reserve is low, your chances are slim, and IVF is often presented as the only path forward. But here’s the truth: IVF is a tool, not a guarantee. And without preparing your body first, IVF often leads to poor outcomes.

Why IVF Alone Isn’t Enough for Low AMH

IVF has helped many families, but for women with low AMH, high FSH, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), the statistics can feel discouraging:

• Fewer eggs retrieved

• Embryos that don’t develop as hoped

• Higher miscarriage rates

• Emotional and financial strain with repeat cycles

The missing piece? Underlying health. IVF doesn’t address inflammation, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, or nervous system stress. Without that foundation, IVF is like planting seeds in depleted soil.

What the Science Says About Preparing for IVF

Emerging research highlights how underlying health factors can shape IVF outcomes. Here’s what recent studies show:

1. Inflammation (CRP)

A 2022 cohort study found that women with higher baseline CRP, an inflammatory marker measured early in the cycle, had lower live-birth rates and a higher risk of pregnancy loss during IVF. Interestingly, CRP measured on the trigger day was not predictive, suggesting that background inflammation before stimulation may matter most.

2. Insulin Resistance & Blood Sugar

Multiple studies show that insulin resistance (IR) is tied to poorer ovarian response and lower pregnancy rates. One analysis found that even non-obese women with normal ovarian reserve but higher HOMA-IR were more likely to experience unexpected poor response to stimulation. In PCOS, IR has been linked to weaker clinical outcomes and higher miscarriage risk. Managing blood sugar balance may therefore play a role in improving IVF outcomes 

3. Vaginal Microbiome & Inflammation

A 2025 pilot study used machine learning to analyze vaginal microbiome profiles and local inflammatory cytokines across IVF cycles. Women with Lactobacillus-dominant, low-diversity microbiomes and lower inflammation scores were more likely to achieve pregnancy. While small, this study suggests the vaginal environment and immune balance may influence implantation success

4. Male Factors: Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF)

Reviews consistently show that high sperm DNA fragmentation is associated with reduced fertilization, poorer embryo development, and lower pregnancy rates, particularly in conventional IVF. In ICSI, the impact is more mixed, but elevated SDF has also been tied to higher miscarriage risk in some studies. Factors like oxidative stress, lifestyle, and environmental exposures can contribute, making male-factor testing an important step.

Why This Matters

Taken together, these findings highlight why focusing solely on IVF procedures without addressing underlying health can lead to frustration. By working on inflammation, blood sugar balance, microbiome health, and sperm DNA integrity before an IVF cycle, couples may be able to improve their odds of success.

What Other U.S. Companies Offer

To help you make sense of the choices, we’ve reviewed what leading fertility programs offer for women with low AMH. Then we’ll show you how a Functional Fertility program differs.

Kindbody (Nationwide Clinics)

• What they offer: IVF, egg freezing, donor services, and wellness add-ons.

• Strength: Modern, tech-forward, accessible.

• Gap: Wellness is an add-on, not a comprehensive fertility preparation program.
  

Fab Fertile Difference: Functional Fertility is all we do. We specialize in low AMH, DOR, POI and RPL, integrating testing, nutrition, and mindset into a complete program, not optional extras.

Frame Fertility (Virtual Coaching & Navigation)

• What they offer: Virtual support and referrals to clinics.

• Strength: Broad support for family-building journeys.

• Gap: Not diagnosis-specific, no advanced functional testing, minimal partner inclusion.
  

Fab Fertile Difference: We address specific patterns in low AMH, high FSH, and recurrent loss with functional testing, partner involvement, and structured coaching.

Rejuvenating Fertility Center (NY, CT, NJ)

• What they offer: IVF, PRP, stem cells, and experimental add-ons.

• Strength: Innovation and cutting-edge interventions.

• Gap: Technology-first, not body-prep-first. No gut, inflammation, or lifestyle focus.
  

Fab Fertile Difference: We prepare your body before high-tech treatments. By lowering inflammation and optimizing egg and sperm quality, we improve outcomes when you do pursue IVF or PRP.

CNY Fertility (Nationwide)

• What they offer: IVF at lower cost, accepts patients other clinics reject.

• Strength: Accessibility and affordability.

• Gap: High volume, standardized protocols, limited personalization.
  

Fab Fertile Difference: We don’t just accept tough cases, we optimize them. Our functional fertility approach identifies hidden imbalances and builds a personalized plan to improve outcomes.

Maven Clinic (Virtual, Employer-Based)

• What they offer: Telehealth platform for fertility, pregnancy, and women’s health.

• Strength: Convenience, often employer-covered.

• Gap: Fertility is one of many tracks. No specialization in AMH or recurrent loss.
  

Fab Fertile Difference: Fertility is our only focus. We’ve supported hundreds of couples with low AMH, DOR, POI, and RPL through functional testing, personalized nutrition, and mindset strategies.

Why Fab Fertile Is Different

Fab Fertile is not a clinic. We’re a Functional Fertility coaching program that integrates advanced testing with personalized support for both partners.

• Coaching + Testing: Structured coaching plus functional testing (GI-MAP, food sensitivities, genetics, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation markers, thyroid, homocysteine).

• Medical Case Review: A medical reviewer consults on lab results and cases as needed, adding expertise, but the program is coach-led.

• Partner Inclusion: Sperm DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress, and male lifestyle factors are addressed, not overlooked.

• Pattern Recognition: We specialize in low AMH, high FSH, diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, and RPL, and see repeating patterns that most general programs miss.

• Mindset & Nervous System Support: Stress is inflammatory. We teach practical tools to calm the nervous system, restore balance, and support fertility.

Real Low AMH Success Stories

Valerie - Pregnant Naturally at 43

Valerie had low AMH, high FSH, and recurrent miscarriage. She was told her only option was donor eggs. Through Fab Fertile’s functional approach, advanced testing, food sensitivity elimination, targeted supplements, and stress reduction, Valerie conceived naturally at 43 and carried a healthy pregnancy.

Diana - One Ovary, Endometriosis, Low AMH & High FSH

Her clinic recommended IVF immediately. After addressing gut health, inflammation, and lifestyle factors, she conceived naturally. She found out she was pregnant when she went to IVF to do the retrieval!

Samantha - AMH 0.02 ng/ml

Told IVF was her only option, Samantha joined our program. With GI-MAP testing, targeted nutrition, supplements, and nervous system support, she balanced her health and conceived, with one of the lowest AMH levels possible.

No Guarantees, Just Honest Support

We cannot guarantee to raise your AMH or promise pregnancy.

What we can say is this: when underlying imbalances are addressed, couples consistently see:

• More eggs retrieved in IVF cycles

• Higher-quality embryos

• Lower miscarriage rates

• And in some cases, natural conception before IVF even begins

IVF is a tool, not a guarantee. On its own, it can feel like a gamble, especially if your body isn’t prepared. That’s where Functional Fertility comes in. By addressing inflammation, nutrient gaps, hormone imbalances, and other underlying factors first, we make sure your body is ready. The result? Every path forward, whether natural conception or IVF, has a stronger chance of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AMH levels be increased naturally?

We do see AMH rise, but AMH is not the full story. The bigger picture is how your body responds. By lowering inflammation, supporting gut health, balancing blood sugar, and using the right supplements, egg quality and ovarian response can improve, often leading to better outcomes, whether you’re trying naturally or moving forward with IVF.

Is IVF the only option for low AMH?

No. IVF is one option, but many women with low AMH conceive naturally or improve IVF outcomes after functional fertility preparation.

What are the best supplements for egg quality with low AMH?

Evidence-backed options include CoQ10, omega-3s, vitamin D3/K2, NAC, and antioxidants. The best plan is personalized through testing.

How long does it take to improve egg quality with low AMH?

Egg development takes 90–120 days. Most couples work with us for 6–12 months to see meaningful changes.

Can you get pregnant with low AMH success stories?

Yes. We’ve supported women like Valerie (conceived naturally at 43 with low AMH and recurrent miscarriage) and others who improved IVF outcomes after functional fertility preparation.

What tests should I do if I have low AMH?

Functional testing often includes GI-MAP stool testing, thyroid panel, nutrient markers (vitamin D, homocysteine), inflammation markers (hsCRP), and male factor testing such as sperm DNA fragmentation.

Do both partners need fertility testing?

Yes. Male factors account for up to 50% of fertility challenges, so it’s essential to look at both sides. Partners often share similar gut and genital microbiomes because infections can pass back and forth through fluid exchange. That’s why testing for the seminal microbiome, sperm DNA fragmentation, and oxidative stress is so important. Addressing both partners together reduces the risk of recurring infections and improves the chances of success with any path forward, including IVF.

Final Thoughts

General wellness programs may inspire, but they often don’t dig deep enough into the underlying systems that determine fertility success, especially when ovarian reserve is challenged.

Functional Fertility bridges that gap. Through targeted testing, we uncover hidden imbalances, lower systemic and reproductive tract inflammation, optimize glucose metabolism, and support both partners’ reproductive health. The result? Every option forward, whether natural or assisted, starts with a body that’s prepared to respond.

If you’re weighing your next step with low AMH, I’d love to connect. Book a free 15-minute call with me here to see if this approach is the missing piece for you.