Key TakeawaysA new, small study found that a woman’s ovarian reserve was the same or similar after having COVID-19.These findings help ease concerns that COVID-19 could possibly impact a woman’s egg count.Experts say the results are promising for couples interested in conceiving after COVID-19.

Key Takeaways

A new, small study found that a woman’s ovarian reserve was the same or similar after having COVID-19.These findings help ease concerns that COVID-19 could possibly impact a woman’s egg count.Experts say the results are promising for couples interested in conceiving after COVID-19.

Previous COVID-19 infection does not seem to impact a woman’s chance of success with assisted reproductive technology, according to new research. The study is small but helps ease some concerns about the virus’ impact on fertility.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 46 patients undergoingin vitro fertilization (IVF)who had baseline measurements of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) that suggested they would be normal or low responders to ovarian stimulation.

What Is the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)?AMH is a marker of a woman’s ovarian reserve (i.e., egg count) and is often used in fertility clinics to predict how women might do with ovarian stimulation during IVF.

What Is the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)?

AMH is a marker of a woman’s ovarian reserve (i.e., egg count) and is often used in fertility clinics to predict how women might do with ovarian stimulation during IVF.

In general, the data showed no difference in AMH levels before and after a woman became infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The results did show a slight decline in AMH measurements in some patients who were predicted to be normal responders to ovarian stimulation.

However, one of the study’s researchersMaria Cruz Palomino, PhD, from the IVI Madrid fertility clinic, said in a press release that this was not a “radical decrease,” and it shouldn’t impact a patient’s ability to produce eggs for IVF. It’s also difficult to directly link this drop to having COVID-19.

“Generally, the data showed no variation in AMH levels before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection," Palomino said. “We could assume that the chances of success in…fertility treatment remained intact.”

The study’s results were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology’s annual meeting in late June.

What This Means For YouIf you’re trying to conceive after a previous COVID-19 infection, your fertility should be the same or similar as it was before you were infected. However, talk to your a healthcare provider if you have any concerns or if you’re having trouble conceiving.

What This Means For You

If you’re trying to conceive after a previous COVID-19 infection, your fertility should be the same or similar as it was before you were infected. However, talk to your a healthcare provider if you have any concerns or if you’re having trouble conceiving.

COVID-19 Infection Does Not Impact Fertility

“Because the receptor for the virus is present in the ovaries, there was some biological possibility that ovarian reserve could be impacted,”Amesh A. Adalja, MD, infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Verywell. However, he says, this study and others like it suggest that doesn’t happen.

Researchers discovered that 25% of patients experienced changes in the volume of their periods, with 20% having lighter periods than before. But the average sex hormone and AMH concentrations of women who had COVID-19 were no different from women of the same age who didn’t get infected.

Can You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine on Your Period?

Women’s health expertJennifer Wider, MD, tells Verywell that the findings are “reassuring.”

Respiratory viruses in general “are unlikely to have any impact on fertility, and this is what appears to be the case with COVID-19,” Adalja adds.

Overall, experts say that couples who are trying to conceive after having COVID-19 should move forward with their plans. “Women should not worry about having COVID-19 when trying to conceive,” Wider says. “It has not been shown to have a negative effect on egg count.”

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.Previous infection with COVID-19 does not affect the chance of success in IVF. June 28, 2021.Li K, Chen G, Hou H, et al.Analysis of sex hormones and menstruation in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age.Reprod Biomedicine Online. 2021 Jan;42(1):260-267. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.020.

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.Previous infection with COVID-19 does not affect the chance of success in IVF. June 28, 2021.Li K, Chen G, Hou H, et al.Analysis of sex hormones and menstruation in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age.Reprod Biomedicine Online. 2021 Jan;42(1):260-267. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.020.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.Previous infection with COVID-19 does not affect the chance of success in IVF. June 28, 2021.Li K, Chen G, Hou H, et al.Analysis of sex hormones and menstruation in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age.Reprod Biomedicine Online. 2021 Jan;42(1):260-267. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.020.

European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.Previous infection with COVID-19 does not affect the chance of success in IVF. June 28, 2021.

Li K, Chen G, Hou H, et al.Analysis of sex hormones and menstruation in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age.Reprod Biomedicine Online. 2021 Jan;42(1):260-267. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.020.

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