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Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean when your hCG is above the “discriminatory zone,” but a transvaginal ultrasound still shows an empty uterus? It raises concern—but it does not automatically diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.In this episode of Taco Bout…
Send us Fan MailYour first beta hCG is 100. Two days later, it rises to 150—but it didn’t double. Does that mean miscarriage? Could it be ectopic? Or could the pregnancy still be progressing normally?Before Google diagnoses you with three different pregnancy…
Send us Fan MailInfertility can lead to a painful question that many people are afraid to say aloud: Is God punishing me?In this deeply personal episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explores why infertility can feel like spiritual rejection.…
Send us Fan MailAfter a disappointing IVF retrieval, it is tempting to change everything. But does a new protocol actually explain a better next cycle—or is biology doing some of the talking?In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols explains why IVF protocols absolutely…
Send us Fan MailCan you actually get pregnant at 50? The headlines never tell you the number that matters most: how old was the egg?In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down what is really behind those…
Send us Fan MailMost people think of the menstrual cycle as bleeding, cramps, cycle day one, or an app prediction. But the period is really the final report — not the main event.In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark…
Send us Fan MailProgesterone-in-oil shots, also known as PIO shots, are one of the most feared and hated parts of IVF. They are uncomfortable, intimidating, and often leave patients wondering: “Do I really need this, or is my fertility doctor just being…
Send us Fan MailCan your embryo fall out after an embryo transfer? Do you really need bed rest after IVF? Can walking, peeing, coughing, laughing, going up stairs, having stress, or riding home in the car ruin your chances?In this episode of…
Send us Fan MailFertility advice can be wrong even when the person giving it meant well. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explores how reassurance, incomplete evaluations, and well-intentioned attempts to “save money” can sometimes delay the…
Send us Fan MailA semen analysis is one of the most important fertility tests, but for many patients, it is also one of the most awkward. In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols walks through what to expect at a semen analysis appointment,…
Send us Fan MailFertility misinformation on Instagram and social media can make patients feel like their doctor missed something important. In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down fertility fear-mongering, IVF myths, unnecessary fertility testing, and how scary medical advice can turn…
Send us Fan MailPCOS has officially been renamed PMOS, or Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome — but does the new name actually change the way patients are diagnosed and treated?In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explains why polycystic…
Send us Fan MailAMH is one of the most misunderstood fertility blood tests. Many patients hear that their AMH is low and immediately worry that they cannot get pregnant, that their eggs are bad, or that menopause is right around the corner.…
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down new research on male obesity and fertility and explains why a man’s weight may matter more in IVF than many people realize. This study looked at…
Send us Fan MailMany patients assume that if they have gotten pregnant naturally before, IVF should be simple. But IVF and natural conception are not the same process.In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explains why IVF is…
Send us Fan MailWhy can two embryos both be genetically normal, both be labeled AA, and even be tested by the same genetics company… yet still have very different chances of leading to pregnancy?In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr.…
Send us Fan MailWhy do IUIs fail, even when everything seems to be done right? In this updated episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down what a failed IUI actually means. He explains the three biggest reasons IUIs…
Send us Fan MailIn this replay episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most frustrating questions in fertility treatment: why IUIs sometimes fail even when everything seems like it should work. He explains the real…
Send us Fan MailHave you ever thought your top-tier insurance fully covered IVF, only to be hit with a $20,000 out-of-pocket bill? On this episode of Taco 'Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols pulls back the curtain on the confusing and frustrating…
Send us Fan MailIf you’re going through IVF, you’ve probably heard it: “Just relax.” It sounds comforting, but for many patients it feels like blame.In this episode of Taco ’Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down what stress actually does during…
Send us Fan MailWhat does a messed-up Chipotle order have to do with a disappointing IVF cycle? More than you might think. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols uses the burrito analogy to explain an important concept…
Send us Fan MailFor thousands of years, humans have tried to influence whether they have a boy or a girl. From ancient myths about moon phases and food choices to modern scientific techniques, the desire to choose a baby’s sex has never…
Send us Fan MailIf you’re 38, you’ve been trying for 12 months, and every test comes back “normal,” this episode is your step-by-step game plan for what to do next. “Unexplained infertility” isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a sign we haven’t found the real…
Send us Fan MailWhen you see a fertility doctor, you’re usually offered two paths: IUI or IVF. But what if there’s a middle ground?In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down IntraVaginal Culture (IVC) — a treatment…
Send us Fan MailEvery IVF patient has wondered it at least once: Is my embryo really mine?Every so often, a story makes headlines about an IVF mix-up. While these cases are heartbreaking, they are extraordinarily rare — occurring approximately 1–2 times per…
Send us Fan MailYou were told your embryo was “perfect.” It was euploid. Genetically normal. The best one.So why didn’t it work?In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the truth behind PGT testing and explains why even genetically normal embryos can fail…
Send us Fan MailFor years, fertility medications were one of the biggest and least controllable costs in IVF—sometimes costing more than the procedure itself. Then, almost overnight, prices dropped by nearly 50%.In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols explains what actually caused this…
Send us Fan MailIVF terms like back-to-back cycles, DuoStim, double stimulation, and accelerated IVF are often used interchangeably—but they don’t mean the same thing. And confusing them can lead to unrealistic expectations.In this episode of Taco ’Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols…
Send us Fan MailFertility tests can look perfect on paper—and pregnancy still doesn’t happen.In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down why many fertility treatments, especially IUI, are built on assumptions rather than certainty. Tests like the…
Send us Fan MailIn 2023, we asked a simple question: Should embryo glue be used routinely in IVF?Since then, more studies have been published, larger analyses have been completed, and the evidence has matured. In this episode, we revisit embryo glue with…
Send us Fan MailThis is a replay of our 2023 episode on embryo glue. The discussion reflects the evidence available at that time.A lot has changed since this episode was first released. Listen again — because next week we’ll be back with…
Send us Fan MailWhat 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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailWhy 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…
Send us Fan MailIUI 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…
Send us Fan MailWhat 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.…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailThis 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…
Send us Fan MailCan 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…
Send us Fan MailAre 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…
Send us Fan MailNot 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…
Send us Fan MailFreezing 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…
Send us Fan MailICSI—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…
Send us Fan MailAre 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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailToday’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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailYou 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…
Send us Fan MailUnderstanding the different types of Diminished Ovarian Reserve and what they mean for your fertility journeyBeing told you have Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) can feel overwhelming — but the truth is, it’s not the same diagnosis for everyone. In…
Send us Fan MailEver 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…
Send us Fan MailThere’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…
Send us Fan MailWhere 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:…
Send us Fan MailThink 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…
Send us Fan MailYou’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…
Send us Fan MailYou'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…
Send us Fan MailThis 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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailCan 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.…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailHow 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…
Send us Fan MailThey 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…
Send us Fan MailWhat 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…
Send us Fan MailAre 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…
Send us Fan MailCan 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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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,…
Send us Fan MailYou'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…
Send us Fan MailIn 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…
Send us Fan MailWhen 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…
Send us Fan MailHave 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,…
Send us Fan MailCould free IVF really become a reality? President Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), and it’s stirring up big conversations in the fertility world. But what does this order actually…
Send us Fan MailThe two-week wait after fertility treatment can feel endless, but what if a single blood test could give you insight into your pregnancy’s future? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, we break down the science behind hCG…
Send us Fan MailThe moment you see a positive pregnancy test, excitement kicks in—but so does fear. Every cramp, every symptom (or lack of symptoms) can send you spiraling into anxiety. And for those who’ve battled infertility, that fear is even more…
Send us Fan MailA positive pregnancy test, rising HCG levels, and all the symptoms of early pregnancy—yet no embryo ever forms. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, we unravel the mystery of blighted ovums. Why does a pregnancy start but…
Send us Fan MailMany patients panic when their PGT results show numerous abnormal embryos, fearing that this means they have a high chance of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder. But is that really true? In this episode of Taco Bout…
Send us Fan MailFibroids are common, but when do they actually impact fertility? In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives into everything you need to know about fibroids—their types, how they’re diagnosed, their effect on fertility, and…
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explores why transferring one embryo at a time often leads to better outcomes than transferring two simultaneously. Building on previous discussions about statistics and probabilities, this episode dives…
Send us Fan MailEver wonder why trying the same fertility treatment more than once doesn’t just double your chances of success? Or how putting back two embryos could actually lower your overall chances of a live birth? In this episode of Taco…
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