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INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION

Our ICSI treatments are designed to offer personal, expert care, ensuring you feel supported throughout your fertility journey.

What is ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a fertilisation method used during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) which involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg. It differs from conventional IVF where many sperm are mixed with the egg for fertilisation, or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), where sperm is directly placed into the uterus to facilitate fertilisation. ICSI increases the chances of fertilisation for some patients.  

ICSI offers hope to those facing male fertility challenges, providing a precise and effective way to help create your family.

Thumbnail_small-Victoria Sephton
Dr Victoria Sephton, Chief Medical Officer and GMC Responsible Officer

Who is ICSI IVF for?

Everyone’s fertility journey is personal. Our Care Fertility experts are here to help you understand what the best options for you are. 

Heterosexual couples

Heterosexual cisgendered couples who are having male-factor fertility issues such as such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology. 

Additionally, ICSI can be for couples where other IVF procedures haven’t been successful yet. 
Men with Male Factor Fertility Male or AMAB (Assigned Male at Birth) patients who need sperm collected surgically from the testicles or epididymis due to vasectomy or a blockage that prevents sperm reaching the ejaculate. 
Same-sex female/AFAB couples Same-sex female/AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) couples where one partner is hoping to get pregnant using a sperm donor, where other IVF procedures haven't worked. 
Same-sex male/AMAB couples Same-sex male/AMAB couples where other IVF procedures like IUI haven't worked with a surrogate. 

How successful is ICSI IVF? 

ICSI is a very successful method of helping the sperm and the egg fertilise but when it comes to IVF, there are still lots of other factors involved in a successful pregnancy. Other factors such as; age of the woman or AFAB individual and whether they have any fertility challenges. Success rates for ICSI are very similar to IVF. 

Learn more about our success rates

Treatment add ons 

PGT-A 

Pre-implantation testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) can be carried out on embryos created during an IVF cycle to test that they have the correct number of chromosomes needed for a successful pregnancy, reducing the risk of miscarriage. 

PGT-M 

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT-M) allows us to test embryos before transfer if you know you are at high-risk of passing on a specific single gene disorder such as Cystic Fibrosis. 

PGT-SR 

For people with a chromosome structural rearrangement also called a translocation, PGT-SR (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for chromosomal structural rearrangements) can be performed to improve the chance of establishing a healthy pregnancy. 

 

What is the ICSI IVF process?

Ovarian stimulation

The woman or person with ovaries undergoes ovarian stimulation with fertility medications to encourage the development of multiple eggs. 
Egg retrieval

Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved from the ovaries using a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ultrasound aspiration. 
Sperm collection

On the same day as the egg retrieval, sperm is collected from the male/AMAB partner or a sperm donor. 
ICSI procedure

In the ICSI procedure, a single sperm is selected and injected directly into the cytoplasm of each mature egg using a fine glass needle. This bypasses the need for sperm to naturally penetrate the egg's outer layer (zona pellucida). 
Fertilisation After the injection, the eggs are incubated in a laboratory to allow fertilisation to take place. The fertilised eggs, now called embryos, are monitored for several days to assess their development. 
Embryo transfer Typically, after 3 to 5 days of development, the best embryos are selected for transfer into the uterus. This is done using a thin catheter inserted through the cervix. 
Implantation If the embryo successfully implants in the uterine lining, pregnancy may occur. 
Pregnancy test After roughly two weeks a pregnancy test is taken. Depending on the results, those with a positive test are then referring to their doctors. 

How much does ICSI cost

For detailed information on costs, please check your fertility clinics pricing, or book a consultation to discuss your personalised treatment plan. We understand that cost is an important consideration, and we offer various packages and financing options to make treatment more accessible. 

Find your fertility clinics pricing

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