A recent study highlights that many women are being sold a fertility test that provides a misleading view of their ability to conceive. The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test, which measures a woman’s ovarian reserve by estimating the number of eggs available, is being promoted by some as a comprehensive indicator of fertility, despite its limitations.
Researchers, including Tessa Copp from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health, have found that the AMH test does not assess the quality of eggs, nor does it reliably predict a woman’s chances of conceiving or the timing of menopause. Its primary use is to gauge the number of eggs available for procedures like IVF or egg freezing.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against using the AMH test for women not seeking fertility treatments. Despite this, some fertility clinics and online companies are marketing the test as a way to gain detailed insights into a woman’s fertility potential, which can lead to misguided decisions.
Dr. Copp and her team conducted a study to determine if women would still be interested in the AMH test if they were fully informed about its limitations. The study involved over 1,000 women aged 25 to 40 in Australia and The Netherlands who had never given birth but were interested in having a child in the future. Participants received either an evidence-based pamphlet detailing the test’s limitations or a promotional brochure from a direct-to-consumer website.
Women who reviewed the evidence-based pamphlet showed less interest in the AMH test, averaging a score of 3.8 on a seven-point scale, indicating little interest. In contrast, women who received the commercial brochure had a higher average score of 4.9, reflecting increased interest. This suggests that accurate information significantly reduces interest in the test compared to misleading marketing.
The findings, published in Human Reproduction, underscore the need for better regulation and transparency from clinics and companies marketing fertility tests. Dr. Copp urges regulatory bodies to enforce stricter codes of practice to prevent misleading advertising and ensure that women receive accurate information about such tests.
“Regulatory bodies need to ensure clinics are transparent and provide accurate information,” Copp said. “We were concerned to find that women in the control group considered the misleading information to be trustworthy and balanced.”
The study highlights the critical need for informed decision-making regarding fertility tests and the importance of addressing misleading claims in the industry.
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