Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday

Send us Fan Mail In 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 fresh eyes — separating what hasn’t changed from what actually has. We discuss why embryo glue is now clearly shown to be non-inferior to stand...

Send us Fan Mail This 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 a brand-new episode covering newer data and updated evidence you won’t want to miss. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------...

Send us Fan Mail 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 c...

Send us Fan Mail 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 r...

Send us Fan Mail 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 pe...

Send us Fan Mail 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 mi...

Send us Fan Mail 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 straightforw...

Send us Fan Mail 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 p...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 fert...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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,...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 T aco 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, g...

Send us Fan Mail Are Day-7 embryos doomed to fail — or are they just late bloomers? In this episode of T aco 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 a...

Send us Fan Mail 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 densit...

Send us Fan Mail 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 mitoch...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 categ...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 I...

Send us Fan Mail 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 lear...

Send us Fan Mail 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....