Looks Good on Paper: Why Normal Fertility Tests Don’t Guarantee Pregnancy

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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 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.

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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.