Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday

Mark Amols, MD
  • 4.9 (127)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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!

  1. 5D AGO

    PCOS Is Now PMOS: New Name, Same Problem?

    Send us Fan Mail PCOS 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 ovary syndrome was always a misleading name, how PCOS got its name from the historic Stein-Leventhal description, and why the “cysts” in PCOS are usually follicles rather than true ovarian cysts. He breaks down why the new name, PMOS, better reflects the real condition: a lifelong endocrine and metabolic disorder involving insulin resistance, androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, diabetes risk, cholesterol, blood pressure, endometrial cancer risk, sleep apnea, fertility, and long-term health. Dr. Amols also discusses whether this name change is a true medical breakthrough or simply a rebranding of PCOS. While the diagnostic criteria have not dramatically changed, the hope is that the new name will push the medical community to stop treating PCOS as only a fertility problem and start managing it as a full-body metabolic disorder. If you have PCOS, PMOS, irregular periods, insulin resistance, elevated testosterone, acne, hirsutism, difficulty losing weight, or fertility concerns, this episode explains what the name change means — and what better care should actually look like. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    15 min

  2. MAY 13

    AMH: The Fertility Test That Isn’t a Fertility Test

    Send us Fan Mail AMH 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. But AMH does not tell the whole fertility story. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explains what AMH really measures and what it does not. AMH is a marker of ovarian reserve and helps predict how many eggs someone may make during fertility treatment, especially IVF stimulation. But it does not directly predict whether someone can get pregnant naturally, whether their eggs are genetically normal, or whether the next egg they ovulate can become a baby. Using simple analogies like a basketball player’s vertical jump, egg contests, and ovarian reserve as a “toolbox test,” this episode breaks down the difference between egg quantity and egg quality, why low AMH does not mean infertility, why high AMH does not guarantee pregnancy, and how AMH may give some clues about ovarian aging and menopause timing. If you or someone you know has been told they have a low AMH, this episode will help explain why AMH is important information — but not a fertility verdict. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    19 min

  3. MAY 6

    It’s Not Just Her: Male Obesity, Embryo Development, and Miscarriage Risk in IVF

    Send us Fan Mail In 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 donor egg ICSI cycles and found that male obesity was associated with delayed early embryo development, lower inner cell mass quality, and a higher miscarriage rate, even though fertilization, blastocyst development, implantation, and clinical pregnancy rates were fairly similar across groups.  Dr. Amols explains what this means in plain English for patients and clinicians, why a normal semen analysis does not always tell the whole story, how sperm health may affect embryo development after fertilization, and why fertility should be viewed as a couple’s issue, not just a female issue. If you want to understand the connection between male BMI, sperm quality, IVF outcomes, embryo development, and miscarriage risk, this episode breaks it down in a way that is clear, practical, and evidence-based.  Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    12 min

  4. APR 29

    Nature vs. IVF: Why Getting Pregnant Before Doesn’t Mean IVF Will Be Easy

    Send us Fan Mail Many 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 incredibly powerful, but still cannot perfectly duplicate every hidden filter, timing system, and biological checkpoint that happens inside the body. From sperm selection and fertilization to fallopian tube transport, embryo transfer timing, uterine receptivity, egg recruitment, and embryo grading, IVF can reveal parts of reproduction that nature usually keeps hidden. This episode explores why someone may have children naturally but still struggle with fertilization, embryo development, or implantation during IVF. It also explains why a failed IVF cycle does not mean failure — it may provide valuable clues that help guide the next step. IVF is not worse than nature. Nature is not better than IVF. They are different routes toward the same goal. And sometimes in fertility, the route matters. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    17 min

  5. APR 22

    Euploid, But Not Equal: Why “Perfect” Embryos Have Different Odds

    Send us Fan Mail Why 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. Mark Amols breaks down one of the biggest misunderstandings in IVF: the idea that “normal” means “equal.” He explains what PGT-A really tells us, why embryo grading is useful but limited, and how two embryos with the same label can still have very different biologic potential. He also dives into why IVF lab quality matters so much — from culture conditions and air handling to biopsy skill, freezing, thawing, and transfer technique. If you have ever wondered why one euploid embryo works while another does not, or why some clinics may have better outcomes than others, this episode helps make sense of it all in a clear, patient-friendly way.  Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    14 min

  6. APR 15

    Why IUIs Fail 2.0: Bad Luck, Wrong Treatment, or Hidden Problem?

    Send us Fan Mail Why 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 fail: sometimes it is just bad luck, sometimes IUI is the wrong treatment for the biology, and sometimes there is a hidden problem that routine fertility testing cannot detect. This episode also covers newer data on IUI success rates, the role of male factor infertility, how age and time trying should affect treatment decisions, when it makes sense to keep trying IUI, and when it may be smarter to move on to IVF. If you have ever wondered whether a failed IUI means something is wrong or whether IVF is the next step, this episode will help you think about it more clearly.  Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    17 min

  7. APR 8

    Replay: Why IUIs Fail — Even When Everything Looks Normal

    Send us Fan Mail In 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 success rates of IUI, why unexplained infertility is not the same as no problem, how sperm and tubes can look normal on paper but still not function normally, and why a failed IUI does not mean IVF will fail too. This is a helpful episode for anyone trying to understand realistic expectations for IUI and when it may be time to move on to IVF. Originally released in 2021.  Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    11 min

  8. APR 1

    The HOPE Act, ERISA Loopholes, and the Out-of-Network Lab Trap

    Send us Fan Mail Have 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 world of reproductive medicine insurance. We break down the two biggest financial illusions in fertility care: The ERISA Loophole: Discover the difference between fully insured and self-funded corporate plans, and learn why state IVF mandates might not legally apply to your employer.The Out-of-Network Lab Trap: Find out why your doctor might be in-network, but the embryology lab is not—and why the "No Surprises Act" won't protect you from these massive bills.Finally, we discuss the newly reintroduced HOPE Act—a federal bill designed to close the corporate insurance gap—and equip you with the three essential questions you must ask your financial coordinator before starting treatment so you don't get burned. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of 'Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday' with Dr. Mark Amols. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with friends and family who might benefit from our discussion. Remember, your feedback is invaluable to us – leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred listening platform. Stay connected with us for updates and fertility tips – follow us on Facebook. For more resources and information, visit our website at www.NewDirectionFertility.com. Have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at TBFT@NewDirectionFertility.com. Join us next Tuesday for more discussions on fertility, where we blend medical expertise with a touch of humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging. Until then, keep the conversation going and remember: understanding your fertility is a journey we're on together.

    13 min
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4.9
out of 5
127 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Amols, MD
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    235
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday
  • Show Website
    Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday

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