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
What happens when an embryo never even makes it to the report? In this week’s episode of Taco About Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols tackles the complicated world of high-level mosaic embryos—the lesser-known, often misunderstood siblings of low-level mosaics.
Learn why some labs label these embryos as “aneuploid,” why others report them as “mosaic,” and how that single label could decide whether an embryo is transfer...
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most overlooked problems in modern fertility care: the hidden harm of overcalling mosaic embryos.
We begin with a surprising math puzzle from a 2023 study by Dr. Jonah Bardos in Fertility & Sterility, where the lab reporting the highest euploid rate also had the highest live birth rate—a result that shouldn’t happen if “more abnor...
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Amols tackles a question most patients are too embarrassed to ask out loud: Does getting a second opinion mean you’re cheating on your fertility doctor?
Inspired by a real patient interaction, he breaks down why fertility care feels so personal, why patients often feel guilty seeking outside input, and why no confident doctor should ever take it personally. You’ll hear how second opinio...
Why do eggs that look perfect on retrieval day sometimes lead to poor embryos, failed implantation, or no pregnancy at all?
If your clinic once told you your eggs “look great,” only to later say the cycle failed due to an egg issue… you’re not alone. And no, your doctor didn’t lie to you.
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols unpacks one of the biggest misunderstandings in IVF:
the di...
IUI is simple—but the expectations, emotions, and math behind it definitely aren’t. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols walks you through exactly what to expect during an IUI cycle, from the first ultrasound to the trigger shot to the quick, 30-second insemination appointment. You’ll learn who IUI works best for, why success rates aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and how your odds rea...
What happens when IVF success leaves you with more embryos than you ever planned for?
In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols tackles the emotional and practical side of “extra embryos.” He explains why the U.S. system often pushes patients to create as many embryos as possible — and how cost, culture, and regulation shape that pressure.
You’ll learn the pros and cons of mini-IVF, selective ...
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols opens up about something doctors rarely say out loud — that we have feelings too.
Step behind the white coat to hear the human side of fertility care: the burnout that comes with modern medicine, the emotional weight of every failed cycle, and the reality of being judged not by effort, but by outcomes. Dr. Amols shares raw stori...
This week on Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols sits down with fertility naturopath and nutritionist Tasha Jennings to explore how natural and medical approaches to fertility can work hand in hand.
Together, they break down the science behind how nutrition, lifestyle, and epigenetics can influence egg and sperm quality — and how collaboration between naturopaths and fertility specialists can lead to healthier ...
Can you really boost your IVF success rate by doing everything before an embryo transfer? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most common misconceptions in fertility treatment — the belief that more testing automatically means better results. From ERA and Receptiva testing to add-ons like PRP or HCG washes, Dr. Amols explains why these extra steps can’t push your chanc...
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...
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 or...
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 len...
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, yo...
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...
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 sci...
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...
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 ...
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 i...
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 ...
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 bounc...
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