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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 learn how the body decides when to open and close the right channels during urination and ejaculation.

We break down:

• What qualifies as “low volume”
• How retrograde ejaculation happens—and how to spot it
• Conditions like diabetes, surgeries, and medications that can cause it
• Diagnostic tools including post-ejaculatory urinalysis
• Treatment options including Sudafed, sperm retrieval, and IVF/ICSI
• Other causes of low volume like ejaculatory duct obstruction and congenital absence of the vas deferens

Whether you're a patient, partner, or just curious about how sperm can get lost in transit, this episode is full of insight, clarity, and of course—compassion and tacos.

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 [email protected].

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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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.

Whether you’ve been “lucky” to avoid pregnancy in every relationship or just assumed things were working fine because, well, you feel fine — it’s time to check the scoreboard.

No blame. Just facts, awareness, and a gentle reminder: sometimes the strongest move a man can make… is handing over a cup.

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

You’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 the recognition it deserves.

We break down the science: how progesterone is made from cholesterol, how it converts into testosterone and estrogen, and how granulosa and theca cells work together to build a pregnancy-ready uterus.

Plus, Dr. Amols explains why blood levels may look “low” on vaginal progesterone, why that doesn’t mean treatment failure, and why route of delivery really matters—especially in frozen embryo transfers.

Whether you're trying naturally, doing IUI, or planning an FET, this episode will help you understand what progesterone is really doing behind the scenes—and why it might just be the most important hormone you never thought about.

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

You'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 truly impacts your chances of getting pregnant.

We’ll explore:

• What “teratozoospermia” is—and why it sounds scarier than it is
• Why a 1% morphology score might still be totally fine
• The truth about IUI and IVF outcomes when morphology is low
• When ICSI is used defensively vs. when it’s really necessary
• What the studies actually say about fertilization and live birth rates

If you or someone you love has been told poor morphology is a dead end, this episode may change the way you see the path forward.

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

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 [email protected].

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.

Send us a text

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 [email protected].

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.