Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday

Mark Amols, MD
  • 4.9 (128)
  • 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. 4d ago

    The Ovary’s Side of the Story: Menstrual Cycle Myths Explained

    Send us Fan Mail Most 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 Amols explains the menstrual cycle from the ovary’s point of view. Learn how the brain, ovary, and uterus communicate each month, why one follicle becomes dominant, why IVF does not “use up” future eggs, and why so many common menstrual-cycle myths fall apart once you understand the science. We cover myths like whether ovaries take turns, whether one ovary means ovulating every other month, whether bleeding always means ovulation, whether cycle apps really know when you ovulate, and whether everyone needs to wait three months after a miscarriage before trying again. The menstrual cycle is not a calendar, an app prediction, or a right-left ovary schedule. It is a hormone conversation between the brain, ovary, and uterus. 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

  2. Jun 24

    Progesterone Shots: Are Fertility Doctors Sadists or Just Following the Science?

    Send us Fan Mail Progesterone-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 cruel?” In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols explains why progesterone matters for implantation, how estrogen and progesterone work together to prepare the uterine lining, and why the type of embryo transfer cycle changes everything. The key question is not simply whether progesterone shots are better than vaginal progesterone. The real question is whether your body is making progesterone on its own. Dr. Amols breaks down the difference between ovulatory or modified natural frozen embryo transfers and programmed frozen embryo transfers. In an ovulatory cycle, the body forms a corpus luteum and produces progesterone naturally. In a programmed cycle, there is no ovulation, no corpus luteum, and therefore no natural progesterone production — meaning all progesterone support must come from medication. This episode also reviews the research comparing daily progesterone-in-oil shots, vaginal progesterone alone, and combination protocols using vaginal progesterone plus intermittent PIO injections. The data shows why vaginal progesterone alone may not be enough in programmed frozen embryo transfer cycles and why many clinics still rely on PIO for reliable progesterone support. Dr. Amols also discusses progesterone blood levels, why levels can be hard to interpret with vaginal progesterone, why clinics may differ in their protocols, and how some patients may be candidates for fewer injections or modified natural cycles. If you are preparing for an embryo transfer, taking progesterone, or wondering why your clinic recommends PIO shots, this episode will help you understand the science behind the shot — and hopefully hate your doctor a little less. The bottom line: fertility doctors are not sadists. Progesterone-in-oil may be a literal pain in the butt, but in some embryo transfer cycles, it has an important purpose. 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.

    18 min

  3. Jun 17

    Can Your Embryo Fall Out? The Truth About Bed Rest After Embryo Transfer

    Send us Fan Mail Can 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 Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most common fears patients have after embryo transfer: whether one wrong move can prevent implantation. We discuss where the bed rest myth came from, why the uterus is not an open space where an embryo can simply “fall out,” and what the evidence actually says about bed rest after embryo transfer. Dr. Amols also explains why normal movement is okay, why peeing after transfer is not a problem, and why patients should not spend the two-week wait blaming themselves for every sneeze, step, or bump in the car. This episode also covers the difference between fresh and frozen embryo transfers, why activity restrictions after a fresh transfer may be more about enlarged ovaries than the embryo itself, whether retroverted uteruses change the equation, and why clinic instructions can vary. And yes, we also talk about McDonald’s French fries after embryo transfer — because no IVF superstition is safe on this podcast. If you are preparing for an embryo transfer, recovering from one, or stuck in the two-week wait replaying everything you did, this episode will help separate fear from fact. In this episode, we cover:  Can an embryo fall out after embryo transfer?  Does bed rest improve IVF success?  Is it okay to pee after embryo transfer?  Can walking, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or stairs hurt implantation?  Fresh vs frozen embryo transfer activity restrictions  Retroverted uterus and embryo transfer positioning  Sex after embryo transfer  Stress during the two-week wait  McDonald’s French fries and IVF superstitions  Why patients should stop blaming themselves after transfer The takeaway: after embryo transfer, take care of yourself — but you do not need to treat yourself like a porcelain doll. Rest if you want to rest, not because your embryo needs you perfectly still. 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.

    18 min

  4. Jun 10

    Bad Advice, Good Intentions: When Fertility Reassurance Becomes a Delay

    Send us Fan Mail Fertility 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 fertility care patients actually need. This episode looks at the emotional stress patients feel when they realize they may have lost time, the difference between bad intentions and bad outcomes, and why advice like “just keep trying,” “your labs are normal,” or “at least you can get pregnant” can sometimes miss the bigger picture. Dr. Amols also discusses when OB/GYNs can appropriately help with fertility concerns, when referral to a fertility specialist matters, and why good advice should include a reason, a timeline, a next step, and a point where the plan changes. 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

  5. Jun 3

    The Cup, the Clock, and the Count: What to Expect at Your Semen Analysis

    Send us Fan Mail A 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, how to prepare, what happens during collection, and why this test gives fertility clinics such valuable information. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Amols explains why semen analysis is not a masculinity test, but simply a lab test that helps guide fertility treatment. He covers abstinence timing, at-home versus in-office collection, what to do if part of the sample is missed, why timing matters, and what the lab is looking for when evaluating sperm count, motility, morphology, volume, and total motile sperm count. He also discusses why one abnormal semen analysis does not automatically mean infertility, when repeat testing may be needed, how testosterone can affect sperm production, and what the next steps may be if the results are abnormal. Whether you are preparing for your first semen analysis or supporting a partner through fertility testing, this episode helps make the process less intimidating, less confusing, and maybe just a little less awkward. 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.

    18 min

  6. May 27

    Did Your Doctor Miss Something… or Did Instagram Just Scare You?

    Send us Fan Mail Fertility 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 real concerns into panic. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Amols explains how patients can tell the difference between helpful fertility education and fear-based marketing. He discusses common examples involving “normal” fertility test results, genetic carrier screening, donor sperm, PGT-A, Down syndrome risk, failed embryo transfers, immune testing, endometriosis, low AMH, fibroids, uterine polyps, sperm DNA fragmentation, and second opinions. The goal is to help fertility patients ask better questions without being scared into unnecessary testing or treatment. 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.

    22 min

  7. May 20

    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

  8. 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
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4.9
out of 5
128 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
    241
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday
  • Show Website
    Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday

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