In an eggshell...
Yanin's Wake-Up Call: Turning 30
Turning 30 is a milestone for many, and for Yanin, it came with unique circumstances.
"Everyone is now having babies, and I am not there yet," Yanin shares candidly. While she's now in a relationship with someone she can see a future with, they both have dreams to chase before starting a family.
This sparked the thought of checking her own fertility, or egg reserve, and to pretty much figure out where she was on her own fertility clock.
For Yanin, who describes herself as "a planner," starting over again at 30 post a divorce made her think:
What does my fertility look like?
How is my egg quality like?
Where am I in this journey?
And while she wasn’t pressured to have any kids anytime soon, she realised that having these answers would help her later on, when she really did start trying.
Breaking Through the Fear
Yanin had actually considered fertility testing back in early 2023, but something held her back.
Looking back, she's grateful for that delay—2023 turned out to be "not a great year at all," as she battled a lot of stress and a marriage separation, which she feels would’ve definitely affected her test results.
"My body and my mind and the universe was kind of telling me this is probably not the father of your kids," she reflects. "So maybe just don't rush into anything."
But now, at 30, the time felt right.
And the first step she took? An AMH test via Amilis.
There was just one problem: Yanin hated needles. So much so that she almost cancelled her AMH blood test appointment out of fear.
"I was going to cancel my test, but then I was kind of like, you know what? I've been wanting to do this for a really long time," she says. "I need to be a big girl about this. It's literally a blood test. I will be in and out within 5 minutes."
That decision to push through the fear? It would change everything.
Finding Support with Amilis
After seeing her friend Sophie go through fertility testing, Yanin discovered Amilis. What drew her in wasn't just the testing—it was the support.
"I hadn't even googled about fertility or even talked to anyone about it," Yanin admits. But when she connected with the Amilis team, particularly our co-founder, Yasmin, she immediately felt comfortable putting those first steps in their hands.
The consultation call was a quick and friendly chat to see where Yanin was at and determine what kind of testing she would need.
In the call, Yasmin also walked her through the basics of fertility testing, explaining:
- Quantity vs. Quality: You can test egg quantity through AMH levels, but quality can only be assessed through attempting pregnancy or during IVF
- Taking your time: How fertility testing is more about being aware of your reproductive health- rather than rushing into any decision
- What AMH Really Means: How the test shows your ovarian reserve compared to others your age, helping you consider treatments like egg freezing if needed
Yasmin also suggested Yanin get an ultrasound scan alongside the AMH test, for a full picture of uterine health and fertility.
The Test Results: A Good Start
Yanin's AMH came back at 16.7—completely average for her age. While being on the pill since age 17 might have lowered the number slightly, the result still indicated she had a healthy ovarian reserve with approximately 8 antral follicles on each ovary.
"Hearing this or seeing this made me feel good," she says. It was the reassurance she needed that time wasn't running out, that she and her partner could pursue their dreams without the constant weight of fertility anxiety.
But the journey didn't end there.
An Unexpected Discovery
Following Yasmin's recommendation to pair the AMH test with an ultrasound scan, Yanin booked an appointment with Dr Hall. She'd never had a gynaecological scan before—something she now realises should have happened much earlier.
"They don't teach us any of this in school. Nobody talks about it," she reflects, remembering sitting with a pregnant friend during her ultrasound and feeling completely in the dark about the female reproductive system.
The scan itself was uncomfortable—Yanin had never experienced a transvaginal ultrasound before. But it revealed something crucial that explained the symptoms she'd been living with for years.
For years, Yanin had noticed changes in her periods—lighter flow but increasingly painful cramps. She'd even gone to her GP, but never got real answers. During the scan, the pieces finally came together.
Dr Hall suspected hematometra—a rare condition where menstrual blood builds up in the uterus due to a blockage. This explained everything: why her flow was getting lighter while her pain intensified.
"I'm just so happy that someone was able to find this and listen to me," Yanin says with visible relief. "I've gone to the GP a few times, and they're kind of just not really serious about it."
Dr. Hall also noted possible signs of endometriosis—something Yanin had suspected for ages but couldn't get diagnosed through the NHS. Now, she'd finally have the testing and treatment plan she needed.
The Power of a Blood Test
Looking back, Yanin can hardly believe she almost canceled that first blood test out of fear of needles.
"Imagine if I canceled that and I just didn't go to it and I just carried on living my life in pain," she says. "The bloods literally took 5 minutes. But I got my results back actually the same day."
What started as a simple fertility check turned into discovering serious health issues that required surgery—issues that might have gone undiagnosed for years otherwise.
Why Every Woman Should Get Tested
Yanin's message to other women is clear: Don't wait.
"I highly recommend getting a test, especially if it's just like the AMH test. It is so quick and simple," she emphasizes. "I really do highly recommend the ultrasound as well."
She wishes she'd started getting checkups at 18 or 20, not 30. The lack of women's health education—particularly around fertility, IVF, egg freezing, and reproductive conditions—frustrates her deeply.
"There's just like so much of women's health that is not taught in schools, and it really really annoys me," she says. "Every time we meet up, we would talk about our stomachs and our issues and women's health and we kind of just sit there like, 'Oh yeah, we're in pain, but we also don't really know what to do about it.'"
What's Next for Yanin
Yanin is now waiting for her operation to address the hematometra and get tested for endometriosis. While the word "operation" is scary—something she's still processing—she's grateful to finally have answers and a path forward.
"I just want to be able to provide some sort of insight," she explains. "If you're scared about going and doing these tests, please don't be. It could literally be life-saving."
Her fertility testing gave her peace of mind about her egg reserve, but more importantly, it uncovered health issues that were impacting her quality of life—issues that might have continued to worsen without intervention.
Follow Yanin's journey on her social channels for updates on her surgery and continued fertility story.
Amilis: Supporting Women Like Yanin Across the UK
For Yanin, working with Amilis meant more than just getting a test. It meant finally being heard and supported through a confusing, sometimes scary process.
"The whole team was just so lovely and Yasmin was so nice," Yanin reflects on her consultation call. "She literally just ran me through the whole process: the information about eggs and quality and everything like that. It is so worth doing even if you aren't ready for kids or don't want to think about them right now."
The half-hour consultation gave her clarity she'd been searching for, and the quick turnaround on results (same day for her AMH test) put her mind at ease before guiding her toward the scan that would change everything.
Ready to Take Control of Your Fertility?
Whether you're curious about your egg reserve, experiencing unexplained symptoms, or simply want to understand your options, Amilis is here to support you
We offer free consultations to help you understand what testing makes sense for your situation, affordable AMH testing with results in days, and personalised guidance on next steps (whether that's scans, specialist referrals, or just peace of mind).
Our partnered clinics and resources support you through every stage of your fertility journey.
And remember: Fertility testing isn't just about planning for babies. It's about understanding your body and your reproductive health better.
Book a fertility test or chat with our specialists today, with free consultations only via Amilis.
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