Can Delaying IVF Affect Pregnancy Chances in Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve?
When trying to conceive being told you have low AMH or diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) can send you running ASAP to a round of IVF, in fear of running out of eggs.
However, low AMH does not mean you’re running out of eggs tomorrow or the remaining eggs that yu have must be “poor quality”, there’s more to egg quality than that!
So whilst quantity may not be on your side, taking a step back and focusing on egg quality before diving head first into IVF but waiting feels even a few months feels like forever.
So, let’s discuss… does delaying fertility treatments like IVF affect their chances of pregnancy?
A recent study explored whether postponing IVF for up to 6 months impacts pregnancy outcomes in women with low AMH.
Why Would You Delay IVF Treatment with Low AMH?
Well during the COVID-19 pandemic, there wasn’t much of a choice for some people.
IVF treatments were temporarily suspended to prioritise healthcare resources, sparking concerns about whether delays in treatment would harm fertility outcomes, especially for those with low AMH. This study provides valuable insights into whether waiting a few extra months affects the likelihood of conception and live birth.
<Researchers analysed data from 1,790 women with low AMH (AMH <1.1 ng/mL or < 7.9 pmol/L) who started IVF within 180 days (6 months) of their initial consultation.
The participants were divided into two groups:
- Immediate treatment group: IVF started within 90 days of the consultation.
- Delayed treatment group: IVF started between 91-180 days after the consultation.
The study compared both groups’ live birth rates, implantation success, biochemical pregnancies, and pregnancy loss rates.
Key Findings: Does IVF Timing Matter?
The study found no significant differences in pregnancy or live birth rates between those who started IVF immediately and those who delayed treatment for up to six months.
This finding remained consistent across different subgroups, including:
- Women with low AMH (<1.1 ng/mL or < 7.9 pmol/L) and very low AMH (<0.5 ng/mL or < 3.6 pmol/L)
- Women aged 40 and under
- Cases where no embryo transfer occurred due to no oocytes retrieved, no sperm available, or poor embryo development
What Does This Mean for Planning IVF Timing?
These results suggest that a delay of up to 6 months in IVF treatment does not reduce the chances of pregnancy or live birth for women with diminished ovarian reserve.
This is particularly important for individuals who want to focus on nutrition, lifestyle changes, and other fertility-optimising strategies before starting IVF.
So, Should You Consider Delaying IVF?
For those with low AMH, time is often a major concern and pressure. However, this study provides reassurance that taking a few months to focus on overall health, fine-tune fertility nutrition, and prepare for IVF may actually be beneficial—without compromising pregnancy outcomes.
In fact, the 90-120 days leading up to ovulation are crucial for prioritising antioxidant-rich foods. These foods help neutralise inflammatory proteins in the follicular fluid that surrounds the eggs, supporting their health as they prepare for ovulation in the months ahead.
Optimising Your Fertility Before IVF
- Tailor your nutrition to support fertility by ensuring you’re meeting key nutrient needs, including antioxidants, omega-3s, folate, iodine, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron & more.
- Focus on lifestyle factors: manage stress, improve sleep, and incorporate moderate exercise.
- Review supplement intake: a personalised prenatal supplement plan can help fill nutritional gaps
- Track your menstrual cycle: understanding your cycle can provide additional insights into fertility health and helps you to start on cycle day 1 when you do begin IVF.
Does Delaying IVF Treatment Impact Pregnancy Outcomes with Low AMH?
This study provides evidence that challenges the assumption that delaying IVF treatment for a few months worsens pregnancy outcomes. It can help reassure individuals or couples trying to conceive that taking additional time to focus on nutrition, lifestyle, and overall health before IVF will not negatively impact their fertility.
Starting IVF soon? Book in with one of our expert fertility dietitians for guidance and a personalised plan to optimise your fertility journey!
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