Shows
Taco Bout Fertility TuesdayThe Scariest Part of IVF—And Why It Terrifies Me as a DoctorSend us a textThere’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—and learn what really happens the...2025-07-3015 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayThe Curious Case of the Missing SemenSend us a textWhere 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 break down:What qualif...2025-07-2312 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayBalls in Your Court: Male Fertility Red FlagsSend us a textThink 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 working fine because, well, you feel fine — it’s time to check the scoreboard.2025-07-1614 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdaySuperhero Hormone: What Progesterone Is Really Doing Behind the ScenesSend us a textYou’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 to build a pregnancy-ready uterus.Plus, Dr. Amols explains why blood levels m...2025-07-0914 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayUgly Sperm? Why Morphology Might Not Matter as Much as You ThinkSend us a textYou'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 is used defensively vs. when it’s really necessaryWha...2025-07-0212 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayFrom Nurse to Nerd: Why I Became a Fertility DoctorSend us a textThis 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 Tuesday, this is the episode that lets you in.2025-06-2515 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayGot Milk? Understanding Hyperprolactinemia and FertilitySend us a textIn 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 GnRH, FSH, and LHThe connecti...2025-06-1814 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayOne Tube Wonder: What’s Next When One Tube’s Blocked?Send us a textCan 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 doesn’tWhy distal tubal...2025-06-1113 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayWhat Could Go Wrong? The Not-So-Fun Side of Fertility TreatmentsSend us a textIn 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 scenarios, explains the why behind the “what the heck just happened,” and helps you walk into treatm...2025-06-0418 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayWhen Your Best Embryo Fails: Is There Still Hope?Send us a textIn 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 implantation rates with AA vs. BB embryos, and how uterine factors, thaw survival, and plain old chance can affect outcomes. If you’ve ever felt ho...2025-05-2812 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayEgg-spectations: What’s a Normal Egg Count in IVF?Send us a textHow 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 protocols impact your results—and why quality beats quantity every time. From global practices to your personal golden egg...2025-05-2113 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayFast Track or Wait? Fertility Treatment Over 40 Explained - The FORT-T Study IlluminatedSend us a textThey 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 step. You’ll also learn: ✔ The truth about natural pregnancy chances after 40 ✔ IUI su...2025-05-1412 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayGlued from the Inside: The Truth About Asherman's SyndromeSend us a textWhat 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 to know.We cover:What causes Asherman's Syndrome and who's at riskHow to know if you have it (hint: it's often missed!)The difference between...2025-05-0716 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayPrimed and Ready: Choosing the Right IVF Prep for Your BodySend us a textAre 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 success. Whether you're a poor responder, have PCOS, elevated FSH, or premature ovarian failure, this episode will help you understand which IVF priming protocol may be right for your bo...2025-04-3017 minTaco Bout Fertility Tuesday“How Could PGT Be So Wrong?” – When the Problem Isn’t the Test, It’s the InterpretationSend us a textCan 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 interpretation?Learn the truth behind PGT-A and mosaicism, the evolution of embryo testing methods (FISH, aCGH, SNP, and NGS), and what the latest data says...2025-04-2314 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayWhat PGT-A Really Does: It Doesn’t Fix Embryos—It Sorts ThemSend us a textIn 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.Using relatable analogies (yes, even a chocolate box), Dr. Amols explains how PGT can be a powerful tool in certain scenarios—especially for women over 38, those banking embryos, and patients faci...2025-04-1613 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayRare but Real: The Tragedy of Hailey Okula and the Truth About AFESend us a textIn 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 truly is, and why pregnancy is still overwhelmingly safe for most women.Dr. Amols walks through the medical reality of AFE, s...2025-04-0913 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayWhere Did My Eggs Go? Unpacking the Myth of Empty Follicle SyndromeSend us a textYou'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 true vs. false EFSWhy true EFS is rarer than a unicorn eating tacos2025-04-0213 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayScroll with Caution: Fertility Advice from the Internet (and Why It Might Be Wrong for You)Send us a textIn 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 misinformation trap.Discover which sources you can actually trust (hint: it’s not IVFQueen2020) and how to balance curiosity with clarity in your fer...2025-03-2612 minTaco Bout Fertility TuesdayGame Plan for Fertility: Timing Your Best PlaySend us a textWhen 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 pursued earlier. He also dives into family-building strategy, showing why those who want multiple ch...2025-03-1913 min