Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday

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For years, fertility medications were one of the biggest and least controllable costs in IVF—sometimes costing more than the procedure itself. Then, almost overnight, prices dropped by nearly 50%.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Amols explains what actually caused this dramatic shift, how government policy and pharmaceutical competition reshaped pricing, and why this change is already affecting IVF protocols. He breaks down what lower gonadotropin costs mean for patients, how this impacts the use of Menopur, and why low-dose hCG is now becoming a more cost-effective alternative for LH activity in many cycles.

If you’re preparing for IVF, freezing eggs, or struggling with medication costs, this episode will help you understand how these changes can affect your treatment, your budget, and your options.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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IVF terms like back-to-back cycles, DuoStim, double stimulation, and accelerated IVF are often used interchangeably—but they don’t mean the same thing. And confusing them can lead to unrealistic expectations.

In this episode of Taco ’Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down what these terms actually mean, how they differ, and—most importantly—when one approach may make sense over another. We talk about why doing IVF twice doesn’t magically improve egg quality, how ovarian biology and timing matter more than buzzwords, and why faster isn’t always better.

You’ll learn:

• The real difference between back-to-back IVF cycles and DuoStim
• Why high egg yield can increase cyst risk and affect next-cycle outcomes
• How early follicle recruitment makes luteal-phase stimulation helpful for some patients
• What the research actually shows about outcomes and success rates
• The one question every patient should ask when a clinic recommends “accelerated” IVF

If you’ve ever wondered whether DuoStim is better, more aggressive, or just IVF on a tighter schedule—this episode clears it up.

Same ovaries. Same egg pool. Different calendars.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

Send us Fan Mail

Fertility tests can look perfect on paper—and pregnancy still doesn’t happen.

In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down why many fertility treatments, especially IUI, are built on assumptions rather than certainty. Tests like the HSG can confirm that fallopian tubes are open, but they cannot prove that the tubes are functional. Semen analysis can look normal, but it cannot confirm that sperm can reach the egg or successfully fertilize it.

This gap between testing and reality is why IUI often requires a leap of faith—and why it works well for some patients but not for others.

In this episode, Dr. Amols covers:

• What fertility tests can—and cannot—tell us
• Why “normal results” don’t guarantee pregnancy
• Why IUI is assumption-based by design
• Who is more likely to succeed with IUI
• Why patients with long-standing infertility face harder decisions
• The difference between assumption-based treatment (IUI) and information-based treatment (IVF)
• Why IVF often provides answers even when it doesn’t lead to pregnancy

If you’ve ever wondered why IUIs fail despite normal testing—or whether it’s time to move on to IVF—this episode explains the logic behind those decisions without pressure or judgment.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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 standard transfer media, what newer data suggests about small but possible benefits, and why those benefits are often misunderstood. Most importantly, we break down the difference between relative and absolute risk, using real-world examples to explain why a “10% improvement” doesn’t always mean what people think it does.

This episode is about evidence, expectations, and honest counseling — not hype. If you’ve ever wondered whether embryo glue is worth considering, who it may help, and who likely doesn’t need it, this conversation is for you.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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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.

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Embryo Glue: Is it a glue? Does it help? Should you use it?

In this episode we discuss the what, how and why about embryo glue. We also discuss what the studies say about using embryo glue and if it is a treatment option you should use.

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.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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 could decide whether an embryo is transferred or discarded.

We break down the true live birth odds, explain what high-level mosaicism really means, and walk through the trade-offs between not testing, testing and discarding, or testing and keeping everything.

Whether you're over 40, deep into IVF, or just weighing your PGT options, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make the right decision for your fertility journey.

🔹 Topics covered:

• What is a high-level mosaic embryo?
• Why some labs don't report them
• Statistical odds of success by age group
• Ethical and emotional trade-offs in embryo testing
• What to do with abnormal embryos if you're not ready to discard them

🎧 Tune in to find out: is a rare chance still a chance worth saving?

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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 result that shouldn’t happen if “more abnormal embryos were slipping through.” Instead, the math points to something deeper.

Dr. Amols explains what mosaicism really is, why true biological mosaicism is rare, and how PGT-A testing can create artificial mosaics from noise, amplification variability, and overly sensitive algorithms. When labs generate inflated mosaic rates—sometimes 10–20%—they push potentially strong embryos out of the euploid category and unintentionally create selection bias.

Through clear examples and memorable analogies, you’ll learn how calling too many mosaics doesn’t protect patients—it can actually lower pregnancy rates by changing which embryos get transferred first. You’ll also hear why high-level mosaics can be clinically useful, while overcalling low-level mosaics can distort decision-making and delay success.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or confused by mosaic results on a PGT report, this episode will help you understand what’s signal, what’s noise, and why more information isn’t always better in fertility care.

Stay tuned at the end for ways to support the podcast and for a preview of an upcoming episode on high-level mosaics.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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 personally. You’ll hear how second opinions can validate your plan, reveal new options, and ultimately strengthen your confidence — not sabotage your treatment.

You’ll learn:
 • Why fertility patients feel “loyalty pressure”
 • Why two good doctors can disagree and both be right
 • When a second opinion is helpful (and when it’s panic shopping)
 • What records to bring and what questions to ask
 • The red flags that mean you’re in the wrong clinic
 • How to advocate for yourself without the guilt

This episode is your permission slip to put your peace of mind first. Your journey deserves clarity — not loyalty tests.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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 misunderstandings in IVF:
the difference between how an egg looks and how an egg functions.

Drawing from real-world experiences and the new research review “Unveiling the Realms of Reproduction: A Reflection of Oocyte Assessment” by Gardner et al. , Dr. Amols breaks down:

• Why egg morphology (appearance) is a terrible predictor of success
• What embryologists can see… and what’s completely invisible
• Why the true egg issues only show up later — during fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst development
• The “cohort effect”: why some cycles are full of rock-star eggs and others feel like the B-team
• Why a failed cycle doesn’t mean your eggs are bad or that you did anything wrong
• The future of egg assessment: AI scoring, time-lapse imaging, metabolomics, autofluorescence, and more

If you’ve ever wondered how “good eggs go bad,” or felt frustrated when early optimism turned into confusion, this episode gives you the clarity, science, and reassurance you’ve been looking for.

Share this with someone going through IVF, and leave a 5-star review if this helped you.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.

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 straightforward as they seem, and how your odds really build with each cycle. Whether you’re preparing for your first IUI or deciding whether to keep going, this episode gives you the clarity, context, and confidence you need to make informed decisions on your fertility journey.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday with Dr. Mark Amols.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit—and don't forget to follow the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Want to explore more fertility topics? Visit TacoBoutFertility.com, where you can search our entire episode library, find episodes about the questions that matter to you, try our interactive fertility tools, and submit questions or topic requests for future episodes.

Join us next Tuesday for another episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, where we make fertility medicine easier to understand—one topic at a time.