• Published on: Jul 29, 2021
  • 2 minute read
  • By: Medical Consultation Online

What Is Infertility And What You Can Do About It

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Infertility is a term used to describe the biological inability of an individual to conceive. There are many possible causes of infertility, some that can be easily diagnosed and treated while others cannot. The factors which cause or contribute towards infertility include a hormonal imbalance caused by diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, drug use like cancer drugs for hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives; medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease; tobacco smoking; alcohol consumption (particularly heavy drinking); marijuana usage among other substances: all these things could lead to diminishing fertility in both sexes with men being more affected than women due to their reproductive organs not having fully developed until later years when they enter puberty.

Infertility is a condition that can affect whole families and put stress on relationships. It's important to take care of yourself, so you're able to provide the best possible support for your partner as they work through their situation. Most people are not aware of infertility because it takes patience before any noticeable symptoms usually show up in couples who have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for 12 months or more with no success

(1). There are several different types of tests available that will help identify specific causes such as hormonal imbalance but the most common cause is an inability by sperm cells or eggs carrying male chromosomes from fertilizing successfully! In these cases, fertility awareness treatments like ovulation induction may be used along with other options including IVF procedures--which involve retrieving eggs.

The signs of infertility are not the same for all individuals. There is no single diagnostic test to detect this condition, but there is a variety that can help in different ways and at differing speeds. Hormonal imbalance is one of the most common causes which should be detectable through blood tests within 24 hours with urine samples following shortly thereafter if it's still needed. Most other types will take much longer unless they're being observed as part of another health concern such as obesity or diabetes, so these particular cases may require more involvement from your doctor - someone knowledgeable about reproductive medicine who can diagnose you accurately and prescribe treatment accordingly based on what type you have determined by process elimination!

Fertilization of the egg usually takes place with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). The fertilized egg, or embryo, goes through an incubation period which is called a culture period.

It is during this period that the embryo goes through several cell divisions, becoming more and more organized until finally, it is ready to be transferred into the uterus.

The goal of IVF or in vitro fertilization is to combine a woman's egg with sperm outside of her body, then have the resulting embryo be implanted into her uterus. This procedure was originally developed to help couples with infertility problems conceive.

The success of this procedure rests on the embryo being transferred at an early stage, which can be done only by means of laboratory monitoring. Today IVF is used in cases where male fertility factors are involved, and when other attempts to achieve pregnancy through traditional methods have failed. It has been shown that IVF is in most cases the best treatment for a successful pregnancy.

Usually, a woman's natural egg and sperm are used to conceive through IVF. A combination of drugs may be given to stimulate ovulation or fertilization might occur after injecting a mature egg (cumulus mass) with sperm directly into the uterus. The following are the possible methods for IVF:

There are many possibilities of combining "traditional" and "non-traditional" ways to help infertile couples conceive. After trying other fertility treatments, which may not always be successful, many couples turn to surrogacy.

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Pale skin

Pale Skin Symptoms: Causes, Health Conditions, and When to Seek Medical Care

Skin colour provides important clues about internal health. When the skin becomes noticeably lighter than usual, it may indicate an underlying medical condition. Pale skin symptoms, also referred to as pallor, are commonly associated with reduced blood flow, low hemoglobin levels or impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.

In India, pale skin is frequently linked to anemia, nutritional deficiencies and chronic illnesses, making early recognition essential.

 

What Is Pale Skin?

Pale skin refers to:

  • lighter-than-normal skin tone

  • reduced redness

  • pale appearance of lips, gums or nail beds

It can affect the entire body or specific areas such as the face or hands.

Common Pale Skin Symptoms

Typical signs include:

  • pale face or complexion

  • pale lips or tongue

  • light-colored gums

  • pale nail beds

  • cold hands and feet

  • fatigue and weakness

These symptoms often occur together.

 

Most Common Causes of Pale Skin

Anemia

Anemia occurs when hemoglobin levels are low.

This reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing:

  • pale skin

  • fatigue

  • breathlessness

  • dizziness

NFHS-5 reports anemia affects a large proportion of Indian adults, especially women.

 

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia.

Contributing factors include:

  • poor dietary intake

  • blood loss

  • absorption problems

ICMR identifies iron deficiency as a major public health issue.

 

Poor Blood Circulation

Reduced circulation causes:

  • less blood reaching the skin

  • visible pallor

Conditions such as heart disease or shock impair circulation.

 

Acute Blood Loss

Sudden blood loss from:

  • injury

  • gastrointestinal bleeding

  • heavy menstrual bleeding

can cause rapid pallor and weakness.

 

Chronic Diseases

Chronic illnesses such as:

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • cancer

often cause anemia and pallor over time.

 

Infections and Inflammation

Severe infections cause:

  • blood vessel constriction

  • redistribution of blood flow

This leads to pale or clammy skin.

 

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies of:

  • vitamin B12

  • folate

affect red blood cell production and cause pallor.

 

Hormonal Imbalance

Conditions like hypothyroidism reduce metabolic activity, causing:

  • pale, dry skin

  • fatigue

Thyroid disorders are common but underdiagnosed.

 

Genetic Conditions

Inherited disorders such as thalassemia affect hemoglobin production, leading to chronic pallor.

 

Pale Skin in Children and Older Adults

Children:

  • may develop pallor due to iron deficiency or infections

Older adults:

  • often develop pallor due to chronic disease or nutritional deficiency

Both groups need careful evaluation.

 

Warning Signs That Need Immediate Medical Attention

Seek urgent care if pale skin is associated with:

  • sudden weakness

  • chest pain

  • breathlessness

  • fainting

  • rapid heartbeat

These may indicate serious medical emergencies.

 

How Pale Skin Affects Daily Life

Persistent pallor often causes:

  • low energy

  • reduced physical endurance

  • difficulty concentrating

Quality of life may decline without treatment.

 

Diagnostic Evaluation

Doctors may recommend:

  • complete blood count

  • iron studies

  • vitamin B12 and folate levels

  • kidney and liver function tests

Identifying the cause is critical for treatment.

 

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive screening helps detect:

  • early anemia

  • nutritional deficiencies

  • chronic disease

Early treatment prevents complications.

 

Management and Treatment Options

Treatment depends on cause and may include:

  • iron or vitamin supplementation

  • treatment of underlying disease

  • dietary correction

  • medical therapy for chronic conditions

Self-treatment without diagnosis should be avoided.

 

Lifestyle Measures to Prevent Pallor

Helpful strategies include:

  • balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins

  • adequate hydration

  • regular health monitoring

  • treating infections early

Lifestyle changes support long-term health.

 

Importance of Early Detection

Ignoring pale skin delays diagnosis of:

  • anemia

  • internal bleeding

  • chronic illness

Early recognition improves outcomes.

 

Conclusion

Pale skin symptoms are more than a cosmetic concern. They often signal anemia, poor circulation, nutritional deficiencies or underlying medical conditions. While temporary pallor may occur due to minor causes, persistent or sudden pale skin requires medical evaluation. Early diagnosis, preventive health screening and appropriate treatment can restore normal skin tone, improve energy levels and protect long-term health.

 

References

  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Anemia and Nutritional Deficiency Reports

  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Anemia and Adult Health Data

  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Anemia and Circulatory Health

  • Lancet – Pallor, Anemia and Chronic Disease Research

  • NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Early Symptom Detection

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