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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.

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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.

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

Are all IVF cycles created equal? Not even close. In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives deep into the science of IVF priming—covering everything from birth control pills, estrogen, progesterone, and Lupron to the emerging role of androgen priming with DHEA and testosterone. Learn how synchronization, FSH receptor upregulation, and strategic suppression can make or break your cycle success. Whether you're a poor responder, have PCOS, elevated FSH, or premature ovarian failure, this episode will help you understand which IVF priming protocol may be right for your body. It’s time to move beyond cookie-cutter fertility care and personalize your path to 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.

Send us a text

Can embryos labeled as “abnormal” still lead to healthy babies? Are fertility clinics discarding embryos that could result in a pregnancy?

In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down the controversy surrounding Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). You’ve seen the headlines — abnormal embryos resulting in live births — but was the test actually wrong, or was it the interpretation?

Learn the truth behind PGT-A and mosaicism, the evolution of embryo testing methods (FISH, aCGH, SNP, and NGS), and what the latest data says about success rates when transferring embryos diagnosed as aneuploid.

Whether you're trying to understand your PGT-A results, deciding whether to transfer a mosaic embryo, or just looking for clarity in a confusing area of IVF science, this episode is your guide.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between aneuploid and mosaic embryos
• Why older tests misclassified embryos
• How NGS changed the game in embryo testing
• What prospective studies show about live birth outcomes
• Whether you should worry about throwing away viable embryos

Tune in to get the facts, ease your fears, and feel empowered in your fertility journey.

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.

Send us a text

In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of fertility treatment: what PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) really does—and what it doesn't. Contrary to popular belief, PGT doesn't improve embryo quality. It simply helps prioritize which embryos to transfer first, potentially reducing the number of failed attempts and emotional setbacks.

Using relatable analogies (yes, even a chocolate box), Dr. Amols explains how PGT can be a powerful tool in certain scenarios—especially for women over 38, those banking embryos, and patients facing recurrent implantation failure. He also highlights the emotional toll of repeated IVF failures and why faster answers matter, even when the financial cost is covered.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

• Why PGT doesn't improve embryo quality
• How PGT helps sort embryos to get to the best one faster
• The cumulative pregnancy rate with and without PGT
• Diagnostic clarity when transfers fail
• Embryo banking and future planning
• Emotional exhaustion and IVF drop-out rates in Europe
• When PGT is and isn’t truly necessary

📌 Takeaway:
PGT is not a magic wand—it doesn’t change your embryos, it just helps us pick the best ones first. For some, that’s a game-changer. For others, it may not make a big difference. The key is understanding its role so you can make the best decision for you.

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.

Send us a text

In this heartfelt episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols honors the life and legacy of Hailey Marie Okula—beloved nurse, influencer, and new mother—who tragically passed away from amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) shortly after giving birth.

Hailey’s story, while devastating, has left many women afraid to pursue pregnancy. In this episode, we separate fear from facts by explaining what AFE is, how rare it truly is, and why pregnancy is still overwhelmingly safe for most women.

Dr. Amols walks through the medical reality of AFE, shares real risk statistics, and provides compassionate guidance on how to approach pregnancy with confidence, not fear.

💛 Learn how we can honor Hailey—not just by grieving her loss, but by staying informed, supporting one another, and continuing the journey she shared so openly with the world.

🍼 If you'd like to support Hailey’s family, visit the GoFundMe: Support Firefighter Matt Okula & Baby Crew After Tragic Loss.

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.

Send us a text

You've done the ultrasounds, the shots, the bloodwork — and then retrieval day comes, and... nothing. Zero eggs. What just happened?

In this episode of Taco Bout Fertility Tuesday, Dr. Mark Amols dives into one of the most confusing and emotionally crushing outcomes in IVF: Empty Follicle Syndrome (EFS). But before you panic, know this — most cases aren’t what they seem.

We’ll break down:

• The difference between true vs. false EFS
• Why true EFS is rarer than a unicorn eating tacos
• How trigger shot timing and hormone levels can lead to confusion
• What doctors actually mean when they say “empty follicle”
• Real strategies for preventing and managing this situation

Whether you've heard the term before or are just trying to understand your IVF journey better, this episode will give you clarity, peace of mind, and as always — a side of science and salsa.

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.