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This podcast presents an in-depth exploration of fertility concerns and inquiries straight from those undergoing fertility treatment. Standing apart from the usual information found online, we dive headfirst into the real science and comprehensive research behind these challenges. Amidst all this, we never forget to honor our cherished tradition - celebrating the simple joys of Taco Tuesday!
206 Episodes
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Send us a text Are fertility clinics telling you the whole truth about their success rates? In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the hidden math behind IVF statistics — and exposes how “creative marketing” can make average results look amazing. Learn why pregnancy rates don’t always mean babies, how clinics use “per transfer” versus “per cycle” numbers to their advantage, and what to look for in real CDC data before choosing a fertility center. From the “we take the toughest patients” ...
Send us a text Not all fertility pills are created equal. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the real differences between Clomid (clomiphene citrate) and Femara (letrozole)—two medications that may look the same but work in totally different ways. Learn how each medication triggers ovulation, why increasing your dose doesn’t always improve your chances, and when doctors decide to switch from oral pills to injectable gonadotropins. Dr. Amols also shares ...
Send us a text Freezing is one of the most powerful tools in modern fertility—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols unpacks the science behind freezing sperm, eggs, and embryos. Why do eggs and embryos need vitrification while sperm are slow-frozen? Does freezing harm fertility? Why can’t multiple sperm samples just be frozen and combined for IUI? And does the length of time embryos are frozen affect success? From the histo...
Send us a text ICSI—also known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection—sounds complicated, but it’s one of the most powerful tools in modern IVF. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down what ICSI really is (hint: it’s the ‘needle in the egg’), when it’s a game-changer, and when it might just be an unnecessary add-on. From male factor infertility to frozen eggs, genetic testing, and even rescue ICSI, you’ll learn exactly when this treatment makes sense and when i...
Send us a text Are Day-7 embryos doomed to fail — or are they just late bloomers? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explains why embryos that don’t reach blastocyst until Day 7 have lower implantation and live birth rates compared to Day 5 or 6. Using a marathon analogy, he breaks down how timing reflects embryo quality, metabolism, and chromosomal health. You’ll also hear the surprising history of Day-7 embryos — from being discarded in the early 2000s to becomin...
Send us a text In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols takes a deep dive into the ZyMōt microfluidic sperm chip — a device designed to mimic nature’s way of selecting the healthiest sperm. We explore: Why sperm DNA fragmentation matters for fertilization, embryo quality, and miscarriage risk.How the ZyMōt chip works compared to traditional methods like swim-up and density gradient centrifugation.What the science really shows — from lab data to clinical trials — includin...
Send us a text Today’s episode comes straight from a listener question: What’s the deal with MitoSure? Is this mitochondria-based score the secret weapon in embryo selection — or just another lab test with a fancy name and fuzzy usefulness? Join Dr. Mark Amols as he takes you on a wild science ride from embryo scoring to evolutionary biology, bacterial roommates, and the ancient origin of mitochondria. You'll learn what MitoSure actually measures, why the same embryo could score a “2” in one ...
Send us a text In this week’s episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols takes you on a guided tour of your baby’s very first pictures—the first trimester ultrasound. From the tiny gestational sac to the yolk sac (your baby’s first lunchbox), to the fetal pole and that reassuring flicker of a heartbeat, Dr. Amols explains what each step really means and when you should expect to see it. You’ll also learn: Why we stop checking hCG once we see the sacWhat it means if a yolk sac is m...
Send us a text You finally got the positive test after IVF or IUI — now what? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols walks you through the first steps after a positive pregnancy test, from confirming with beta hCG bloodwork to your first ultrasound. Learn why rising numbers matter more than the absolute hCG value, why it’s crucial not to stop progesterone or estrogen too early, and what milestones to expect in the first 6–10 weeks. Dr. Amols also shares common myths, t...
Send us a text Understanding the different types of Diminished Ovarian Reserve and what they mean for your fertility journey Being told you have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) can feel overwhelming — but the truth is, it’s not the same diagnosis for everyone. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the “automobile” analogy to explain why DOR is a broad category that can mean very different things depending on the cause. You’ll learn: The four common “model...
Send us a text Ever had an amazing IVF cycle followed by one that made you question everything? You’re not alone—and no, your ovaries didn’t suddenly revolt. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the statistical concept of regression to the mean—why extreme fertility outcomes often return to average over time. From IVF cycles to PGT results, hormone levels to semen analysis, you’ll learn why bouncing numbers aren’t always bad—and why your “worst cycle ever...
Send us a text There’s a lot to worry about in IVF: Will you get enough eggs? Will your embryos be normal? Will the transfer work? But for Dr. Mark Amols, there’s one part that truly keeps him up at night—fertilization. In this deeply personal episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Amols shares why fertilization is the most unpredictable and emotionally gut-wrenching step in the entire IVF process. You’ll get a crash course in reproductive biology—meiosis, pronuclei, 0PNs, 2PNs, and more...
Send us a text Where did the semen go? In this week’s episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols unpacks one of the lesser-discussed causes of male infertility—low semen volume and retrograde ejaculation. From the science of what makes up semen (spoiler: sperm is only about 3% of it!) to the coordinated dance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, you’ll learn how the body decides when to open and close the right channels during urination and ejaculation. We ...
Send us a text Think infertility is just a female issue? Think again. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols serves up some tough love (and solid science) about male fertility. From hormonal red flags and testicular trauma to lifestyle choices and personal history, this episode breaks down when men should consider that they might be the reason pregnancy isn’t happening. Whether you’ve been “lucky” to avoid pregnancy in every relationship or just assumed things were wor...
Send us a text You’ve heard of estrogen, maybe even LH—but the real superhero in fertility? It’s progesterone. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols reveals how progesterone silently supports pregnancy, stabilizes the uterine lining, and prevents early contractions—all without the recognition it deserves. We break down the science: how progesterone is made from cholesterol, how it converts into testosterone and estrogen, and how granulosa and theca cells work together...
Send us a text You've been told your sperm shape is the problem—but is it really? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down what sperm morphology actually means, how it's measured, and whether a low morphology score truly impacts your chances of getting pregnant. We’ll explore: What “teratozoospermia” is—and why it sounds scarier than it isWhy a 1% morphology score might still be totally fineThe truth about IUI and IVF outcomes when morphology is lowWhen ICSI ...
Send us a text This week’s episode is deeply personal. Dr. Mark Amols shares the journey that led him to become a fertility doctor—from his early days as a nurse, to witnessing a friend’s struggle with infertility, to navigating his own fertility challenges with his wife. You’ll learn how these experiences shaped his mission to make fertility care more compassionate, more accessible, and more affordable. It’s not just a career—it’s a calling. If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the mic each ...
Send us a text In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most commonly overlooked causes of infertility: elevated prolactin levels, also known as hyperprolactinemia. If you’ve ever been asked about nipple discharge at a fertility consult and thought, “What does that have to do with getting pregnant?”—this episode is for you. Dr. Amols dives into: What prolactin is and why your body produces itHow elevated prolactin shuts down ovulation by disrupting...
Send us a text Can you still get pregnant if one fallopian tube is blocked? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down what it really means when one of your fallopian tubes isn’t working. From proximal vs. distal blockages to the surprising truth about which ovary ovulates—and how often—it all matters more than you think. You’ll learn: Whether natural pregnancy is still realisticThe real odds of ovulating on the same side every monthWhen IUI works—and when it...
Send us a text In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols pulls back the curtain on the often-unspoken truth: fertility treatments don’t always go as planned. From failed ovulation and sperm no-shows during IUI, to egg retrieval curveballs, fertilization failures, and embryo transfer nightmares in IVF—this episode covers the chaos that can catch patients off guard. But don’t worry, this isn’t about fear—it’s about power through preparation. Dr. Amols shares real-world scen...
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