Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday
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!
Episodes
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 cl...
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 pre...
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 an...
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 is
- Why a 1% morphology score might still be totally ...
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 ...
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 produc...
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 ...
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...
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explores one of the most common emotional pitfalls in IVF: the heartbreak of a failed transfer using your top-graded embryo. Using a relatable medical school analogy, he explains why even “average” embryos can still lead to pregnancy—and why the term “best” isn’t a guarantee of success.
Learn how embryo grading works, what research says about implanta...
How many eggs should you expect during IVF? Is 8 enough? Is 20 too many? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols cracks open the real data behind egg retrieval numbers and answers the question everyone’s asking: “Am I making enough eggs?”
We break down what’s normal by age, what counts as mature, and why having more eggs isn’t always better. Learn how AMH, antral follicle count, and stimulation p...
They say life begins at 40—but what about fertility?
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the real numbers, treatment options, and emotional journey of trying to conceive after 40.
We take a deep dive into the groundbreaking FORT-T trial and how it flipped the script on fertility treatment for women over 40—proving that for many, IVF isn’t the last resort, it’s the smart first...
What if your uterus looked normal on the outside—but inside, it was glued shut? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the rarely discussed but deeply impactful condition known as Asherman's Syndrome. From why some women are more likely to develop intrauterine adhesions (think “keloid-level healing”) to how it affects menstruation and fertility, you’ll learn everything you need...
Are all IVF cycles created equal? Not even close. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives deep into the science of IVF priming—covering everything from birth control pills, estrogen, progesterone, and Lupron to the emerging role of androgen priming with DHEA and testosterone. Learn how synchronization, FSH receptor upregulation, and strategic suppression can make or break your cycle succes...
Can embryos labeled as “abnormal” still lead to healthy babies? Are fertility clinics discarding embryos that could result in a pregnancy?
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the controversy surrounding Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). You’ve seen the headlines — abnormal embryos resulting in live births — but was the test actually wrong, or was it the inter...
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of fertility treatment: what PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) really does—and what it doesn't. Contrary to popular belief, PGT doesn't improve embryo quality. It simply helps prioritize which embryos to transfer first, potentially reducing the number of failed attempts and emotional setbacks.
...
In this heartfelt episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols honors the life and legacy of Hailey Marie Okula—beloved nurse, influencer, and new mother—who tragically passed away from amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) shortly after giving birth.
Hailey’s story, while devastating, has left many women afraid to pursue pregnancy. In this episode, we separate fear from facts by explaining what AFE is, how rare it t...
You've done the ultrasounds, the shots, the bloodwork — and then retrieval day comes, and... nothing. Zero eggs. What just happened?
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives into one of the most confusing and emotionally crushing outcomes in IVF: Empty Follicle Syndrome (EFS). But before you panic, know this — most cases aren’t what they seem.
We’ll break down:
- The difference between ...
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives into the world of online fertility advice—from Facebook groups to TikTok trends—and explores why some well-meaning suggestions can actually do more harm than good. You’ll hear real stories of patients misled by online advice, the dangers of taking recommendations out of context, and how to become your own best advocate without falling into the misinf...
When it comes to fertility, timing is everything. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the "window of opportunity"—the crucial period where certain fertility treatments are most effective.
Using football analogies, Dr. Amols explains why some treatments, like IUI, can be done at almost any age, while others, like IVF, require a stronger ovarian reserve and should be pursu...
Have you ever heard of giving an embryo a second chance at genetic testing? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives deep into the fascinating world of embryo rebiopsy—what it is, why it’s performed, and whether it’s the right choice for your IVF journey.
When genetic testing of embryos (PGT-A) yields unclear results, such as inconclusive findings or mosaic diagnoses, the decision to rebiops...
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