IVF with ICSI

While this approach of IVF is widely known, there is also a newer, more effective technique – IVF with ICSI. ICSI in the name of this procedure stands for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and it means that sperm cell is injected into the egg through artificial insemination. Therefore, this technique provides a higher possibility of success in fertilization and birth. Male factor infertility or poor-quality sperm production is responsible for approximately 40–50% of fertility problems worldwide. In vitro fertilization with ICSI is performed with ejaculated sperm selected for the presence of small cytoplasmic droplets when the male partner was diagnosed with severe male factor infertility.

Candidates for IVF with ICSI are all couples who struggle to have their own babies. However, there are also some instances when ICSI is especially recommended. These are: 

• Low-quality sperm 

• Low amount of sperm 

• Problem with vitality or morphology of sperm

• Repeated failed fertilization attempts with conventional IVF

• Poor sperm movement

Learn more about IVF with ICSI in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.

• FAQ

If you want to have a higher chance of conceiving a baby through in vitro fertilization, ICSI procedure may be a good choice. The same goes for couples where the man has problems with sperm quality. However, if you have been treated in the past and have not fertilized due to poor quality or immature eggs, ICSI is unlikely to help.

IVF with ICSI does not involve any elaborate preparation. A female patient will receive a fertility drug, inducing the production of eggs, and some blood tests will be performed. Men will need to have sperm testing in the meanwhile. This testing involves giving a semen sample, which a lab will analyze for the number, size, and shape of the sperm in order to understand whether the partner's sperm has enough high quality to be useful in artificial insemination. If not, donor sperm may be considered as a solution.

As the first step of IVF with ICSI, eggs, and sperm cells are extracted. As for sperm, a man may produce a sample by himself. If it is not possible, a surgical extraction may be necessary. After securing eggs and sperm cells, doctors perform artificial insemination. Hormones such as progesterone are given to woman patients in order to prepare their womb to carry a baby. In the final stage, after 2-5 days, newly conceived embryos are implanted into the woman's body. In short, the process is the same as a normal IVF process only if the initial sperm testing shows that the sperm are weak or damaged, IVF with ICSI procedure may be used, and during this procedure, a technician injects sperm directly into the egg. All other steps are carried out the same as normal IVF.

There is no recovery period after IVF with ICSI. If the in vitro fertilization fails, a new cycle is started after a few weeks, as in regular IVF procedures.

There are no risks and complications related to IVF with ICSI treatment. ICSI procedure is not an invasive one unless the sperm needs to be extracted operationally from the male partner's body.

Hormone injections are used as a part of IVF with ICSI treatment, as well, and it may cause a woman to feel a little swollen, but it is not a really unpleasant experience. Apart from this, there are no side effects of IVF with ICSI.

When talking about IVF success rate while using the ICSI procedure, it is necessary to differentiate between fertilization success rate and birth success rate. IVF with ICSI results in 50-80% of successfully fertilized eggs. However, as in the case of standard in vitro fertilization, the successful pregnancy and birth rates of IVF with ICSI treatment depend on the age of the female partner. In the case of women under 35, IVF with ICSI success rate is as high as 48%, while for women of 42 or older. The success rate is estimated to be around 7%. Additionally, a normal pregnancy carries a risk of birth defects around 1.5 to 3%. IVF with ICSI treatment carries some risk of birth defects but is still rare. 

IVF with ICSI increases the possibility of egg fertilization and as such – increases the possibility that as the result of your infertility treatment you will be a happy parent, as it is seen in many IVF with ICSI success stories.