A new study highlights concerns that the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) fertility test may provide a misleading assessment of a woman’s ability to conceive, potentially leading to unnecessary anxiety and significant life changes. The AMH test, which measures the number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries through a blood sample, does not evaluate egg quality, predict fertility potential, or estimate the onset of menopause.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has advised against using the AMH test for women not undergoing fertility treatments, as it is primarily useful for assessing egg reserve in contexts such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or egg freezing. Despite this, the test is increasingly marketed directly to consumers by some fertility clinics and online companies, promising more comprehensive insights into fertility than it can actually provide.
Tessa Copp, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health, led the study in response to widespread misleading advertising and anecdotal reports of women making significant life decisions based on the AMH test results. The research aimed to determine whether women would choose to take the AMH test if they were fully informed about its limitations.
The study involved over 1,000 women aged 25 to 40 from Australia and the Netherlands, none of whom had previously undergone an AMH test. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a pamphlet with an evidence-based review of the AMH test or a brochure containing promotional content from a direct-to-consumer test provider.
Results indicated that women who received the evidence-based pamphlet rated their interest in the AMH test lower, with an average score of 3.8 on a seven-point scale, compared to those who received promotional material, who showed higher interest. Women informed about the test’s limitations had a more accurate understanding of what the test could reveal and were less inclined to pursue it or discuss it with their doctors.
Published in the journal Human Reproduction, the study underscores the necessity of transparent and accurate information regarding fertility tests. Copp advocates for stricter regulatory oversight to prevent clinics and companies from disseminating misleading information. “Regulatory bodies must enforce codes of practice to ensure transparency and accuracy, and take action against those promoting false claims,” Copp stated in a journal news release. The study found that some women trusted the misleading information they were exposed to, highlighting the need for better regulation and consumer education.
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