Is the ICSI technique being overused? As reported in the news recently, one fertility professor believes too many clinics across the world are using ICSI for patients where traditional IVF would be just as effective.
Over twice as many ICSI procedures than IVF are carried out in Europe alone, and ICSI now accounts for over half of all IVF procedures in the UK according to figures.
ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection – is a specialist variation of IVF. It involves the injection of a single, healthy sperm directly into the egg to fertilise it compared to traditional IVF, which mixes the sperm and egg.
ICSI was originally developed as a treatment for male factor infertility. As the ICSI technique directly joins sperm and egg together for fertilisation, ICSI overcomes any sperm disorders such as poor sperm mobility, that would make fertilisation difficult through traditional IVF.
ICSI would not usually be recommended when IVF would be effective, for instance where the male partner does not have any sperm disorders or where the cause is with the female partner.
At Manchester Fertility, all treatments including ICSI are only ever recommended if your fertility consultant believes they will benefit you and your likely outcome, based on your unique medical history, diagnosis and our own results data.
This individualised approach to your treatment and care, along with our bespoke treatment planning, are just some of the many reasons our success rates are consistently strong and why so many patients trust us to give them a family.
If you’d like to make an appointment to see our fertility consultants, speak to our friendly Patient Advisors on 0161 300 2737 to get started.
Last updated: 13th January 2020
