Episodios

  • From Nurse to Nerd: Why I Became a Fertility Doctor
    Jun 25 2025

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    This 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.

    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.

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    16 m
  • Got Milk? Understanding Hyperprolactinemia and Fertility
    Jun 18 2025

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    In 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 it
    • How elevated prolactin shuts down ovulation by disrupting GnRH, FSH, and LH
    • The connection between dopamine and prolactin control
    • Causes of high prolactin—including prolactinomas, medications, thyroid issues, and even stress or exercise
    • Diagnostic steps: when to repeat the test, when to order an MRI, and how to rule out macroprolactin
    • First-line treatments (cabergoline, bromocriptine) and what to expect during recovery
    • How untreated hyperprolactinemia affects IUI, Clomid, Letrozole, and IVF outcomes

    Learn how to identify this hormone imbalance, when to treat it, and how correcting it can restore ovulation and dramatically improve your chances of pregnancy.

    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.

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    14 m
  • One Tube Wonder: What’s Next When One Tube’s Blocked?
    Jun 11 2025

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    Can 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 realistic
    • The real odds of ovulating on the same side every month
    • When IUI works—and when it doesn’t
    • Why distal tubal blockages are a red flag
    • And how IVF bypasses it all (unless there’s a hydrosalpinx)

    Whether you’re trying naturally, considering IUI, or thinking about IVF, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to take the next step in your fertility journey.

    🎙️ Listen now to find out: Is one tube enough?

    #TacoBoutFertilityTuesday #FertilityPodcast #OneTubeWonder #BlockedFallopianTube #TryingToConceive #IVFJourney #IUI #IVFvsIUI #TTCCommunity #OvulationFacts #ReproductiveHealth #Hydrosalpinx #FertilityTips #FertilityDoctor #InfertilityAwareness #FertilityEducation


    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.

    Más Menos
    13 m
  • What Could Go Wrong? The Not-So-Fun Side of Fertility Treatments
    Jun 4 2025

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    In 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 treatment with eyes wide open and expectations aligned.

    Because hope isn't blind optimism—it's knowing the risks and choosing to try anyway.

    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.

    Más Menos
    18 m
  • When Your Best Embryo Fails: Is There Still Hope?
    May 28 2025

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    In 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 hopeless after a failed transfer, this episode will help you reframe your expectations and rediscover your hope.

    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.

    Más Menos
    12 m
  • Egg-spectations: What’s a Normal Egg Count in IVF?
    May 21 2025

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    How 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, we’re setting realistic egg-spectations and busting fertility myths, one follicle at a time.

    Whether you're preparing for IVF or supporting someone who is, this episode brings the facts, the stats, and a few laughs to lighten the hormone-fueled ride. 🥚✨

    👂 Listen now to learn:

    • Average egg counts by age
    • What really matters: total vs. mature eggs
    • Why more eggs ≠ more success
    • Global egg retrieval differences
    • How to advocate for yourself during IVF

    📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a 5-star review if your ovaries felt seen.

    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.

    Más Menos
    14 m
  • Fast Track or Wait? Fertility Treatment Over 40 Explained - The FORT-T Study Illuminated
    May 14 2025

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    They 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 success rates and when to move on
    ✔ How IVF and embryo testing can change the odds
    ✔ Why your egg quality—not just quantity—is the real challenge

    Whether you're over 40, supporting someone who is, or just want to understand the data, this episode will give you the facts and strategies to navigate this complex journey with clarity and hope.

    💡 PLUS: Join us for a special Sperm Meets Egg Live Show this Wednesday, May 14th at 6 PM Arizona time, where we’ll be joined by Tasha Jennings, ND—Fertility Naturopath, Nutritionist, and host of the Conceive Baby Podcast.
    We’ll explore integrative approaches to fertility over 40, including nutrition, supplements, and emotional wellbeing.
    Catch the show live on our Sperm Meets Egg YouTube channel, or watch the recording anytime at www.SpermMeetsEgg.com.

    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.

    Más Menos
    13 m
  • Glued from the Inside: The Truth About Asherman's Syndrome
    May 7 2025

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    What 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 risk
    • How to know if you have it (hint: it's often missed!)
    • The difference between mild “cobweb” scarring and complete uterine cavity obliteration
    • The gold-standard treatments, including hysteroscopic surgery, estrogen therapy, and balloon/IUD separation
    • Emerging therapies like stem cells, PRP, and amniotic grafts
    • Fertility options beyond surrogacy—including IVF and uterine transplant
    • The emotional toll of Asherman’s and why psychological support matters

    Whether you’re a patient, a partner, or a medical provider, this is the Asherman’s deep dive you didn’t know you needed. Don’t miss it.

    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.

    Más Menos
    16 m