IVF with ICSI
IVF with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is an advanced form of in vitro fertilization in which an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into each mature egg to achieve fertilization. It is especially valuable for male-factor infertility — such as a low sperm count or poor motility — and for couples where standard IVF has not fertilized eggs successfully.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
In standard IVF, eggs and prepared sperm are placed together in the laboratory and fertilization is left to occur naturally. ICSI takes a more direct step: using fine micro-instruments under a microscope, an embryologist injects one selected sperm into each mature egg. This overcomes barriers to fertilization, which is why ICSI is the technique of choice when sperm quality is the issue — a low count, poor movement or abnormal shape — or when sperm have been retrieved surgically from the testes.
The cycle otherwise follows the familiar IVF path: medication stimulates the ovaries to mature several eggs, which are collected in a short procedure under light sedation; the eggs are then fertilized by ICSI in the laboratory; and a resulting healthy embryo is transferred to the womb a few days later. Surplus good-quality embryos can be frozen for future attempts, and an in-house embryology laboratory supports every step.
Success depends strongly on the woman's age and the underlying cause, and ICSI improves the chance of fertilization rather than guaranteeing a pregnancy. International patients receive a coordinator who maps the cycle's visits around travel and a transparent cost estimate, with remote consultations available first; counselling is offered throughout what can be an emotionally demanding journey.
Who is a candidate?
- Couples affected by male-factor infertility — low sperm count, poor motility or abnormal shape
- Men whose sperm has been retrieved surgically from the testes
- Couples where standard IVF has resulted in failed or very low fertilization
- Those using frozen or previously banked sperm where ICSI improves fertilization
- Couples advised that ICSI offers the best chance of fertilizing the eggs
What happens
- 1
Fertility evaluation
Both partners are assessed — including semen analysis — to confirm that ICSI is the right technique and to plan the cycle around the cause of infertility.
- 2
Ovarian stimulation
Medication encourages the ovaries to mature several eggs over about two weeks, monitored with ultrasound and hormone tests to time egg collection precisely.
- 3
Egg collection and ICSI
Eggs are collected in a short procedure under light sedation. In the laboratory, an embryologist injects a single selected sperm into each mature egg under a microscope.
- 4
Embryo transfer
A healthy embryo is transferred to the womb a few days later in a quick, painless outpatient procedure. Surplus good-quality embryos can be frozen for future attempts.
- 5
Follow-up
A pregnancy test follows about two weeks later. The team supports you through the result and next steps, with counselling available throughout.
Benefits
- Overcomes many causes of male-factor infertility that standard IVF cannot
- Effective when sperm are few, slow, abnormally shaped or surgically retrieved
- Can succeed where previous standard IVF resulted in failed fertilization
- Surplus embryos can be frozen, allowing further attempts without a full new cycle
- Entirely outpatient, with no overnight hospital stay required
Risks & considerations
- No treatment can guarantee a pregnancy; success depends on age and cause
- ICSI improves fertilization but does not guarantee that every egg fertilizes or develops
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome — a reaction to stimulation medication — which the team monitors for
- A higher chance of multiple pregnancy if more than one embryo is transferred
- The emotional demands of treatment, which counselling helps support
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Infertility & IVF Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
IVF with ICSI — frequently asked questions
In standard IVF, eggs and sperm are placed together and fertilization happens naturally in the dish. In ICSI, an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into each mature egg, which overcomes problems with sperm quality and is the technique of choice for male-factor infertility.
ICSI is recommended mainly for male-factor infertility — a low sperm count, poor motility or abnormal shape — when sperm have been retrieved surgically, or when standard IVF has previously resulted in failed or very low fertilization.
No. ICSI improves the chance that the eggs fertilize, but it does not guarantee fertilization of every egg or a resulting pregnancy. Success depends strongly on the woman's age and the underlying cause, and the team gives a realistic, individual estimate.
Yes. We arrange remote consultations to review your history and tests, including semen analysis, and outline a personalized plan before you commit to travel.
An IVF–ICSI cycle needs a planned series of visits over a few weeks, which your coordinator maps around your travel. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case — covering tests, medication, the procedure and laboratory work — rather than a fixed online price, because each plan is individual.
Related treatments
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