Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Around two out of three IVF cycles use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It is an additional procedure carried our during IVF which involves injecting a single healthy sperm directly into an egg to maximise the chances of fertilisation.

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What is ICSI?

For around one third of couples facing fertility challenges, the issue is related to sperm.

In a standard IVF cycle, mature eggs are collected and mixed with sperm in the lab, allowing fertilisation to occur naturally.

With ICSI treatment, an embryologist selects the healthiest sperm and injects a single sperm directly into each egg to assist fertilisation.

This ICSI procedure improves fertilisation chances by bypassing the sperm’s need to penetrate the egg wall on its own.

Couple couple on the phone - Embryo freezing

Who is ICSI for?

We may recommend IVF with ICSI if:

You have a low sperm count, they are abnormally shaped or do not move normally
You're using sperm recovered via surgical sperm retrieval
You’re using donor eggs or sperm, or eggs and sperm that have been preserved through sperm or egg freezing.
Your sperm have high levels of DNA damage
You've previously had IVF and none or few eggs were fertilised

Success rates

Our ICSI success rates

ICSI is a highly effective fertility treatment, resulting in fertilised embryos in 50 to 80% of cases. However, many factors within the IVF process can influence your overall success, with age being one of the most important.

For women under 30, the pregnancy rate after ICSI treatment is around 40%, while for those aged 30 to 39, it ranges between 30 and 35%.

You can view the success rates for each of our clinics on their individual pages. Visit our success rates page to find out how we calculate ICSI and IVF success rates and what to consider when choosing your clinic.

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How much does ICSI cost?

You'll find a breakdown of a typical IVF with ICSI below, as well as the cost of a fertility assessment to help provide you with the answers you need to plan for your future.

*The medication you require throughout your treatment will be an additional cost. **All prices are subject to a regional variation.