Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI stands for intracytoplasmic sperm injection – a specialised form of fertility treatment that we use to help create embryos by injecting sperm directly into an egg.

During IVF, sperm and eggs are collected and combined in a lab to encourage the sperm to fertilise the egg naturally. With ICSI, we take it one step further by directly injecting specifically chosen, high-quality sperm into the egg, bypassing the natural fertilisation process.

However, the aim of both ICSI and IVF is ultimately the same: providing you with an opportunity to become pregnant and start or grow your family.

ICSI and IVF have similar overall success rates. ICSI is usually recommended when there’s a concern about fertilisation, rather than as a way to increase success in every situation. Your specialist will help you understand which option is most appropriate based on your individual circumstances.

Yes. Fertility treatments such as IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) may also be suitable. The right approach depends on your individual circumstances, so it’s important to speak with a fertility specialist.

Yes. Frozen sperm can be used as part of ICSI treatment. In the laboratory, an embryologist carefully selects a sperm to use for each egg 

While the vast majority of babies born using ICSI are healthy, this type of fertility treatment comes with a few more risks compared to other methods. 

For example, there is a small chance that the eggs could become damaged during the cleaning or sperm injection process. 

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) also suggest that using ICSI may cause long-term health issues for the baby, including a slightly higher chance of passing on certain genetic conditions. However, more conclusive evidence is needed to determine this link. 

Our team at Bourn Hall have been performing ICSI for decades. With our experience and expertise, we will do everything we can to help minimise any risks involved and keep you well-informed throughout the process.

The number can vary depending on how your body responds to treatment. In general, having more eggs available can increase the chance of creating embryos.

ICSI is a well-established technique that’s widely used in fertility treatment. At Bourn Hall, it’s carried out by experienced embryologists using carefully controlled methods. As with any medical procedure, there are some risks to be aware of.

These may include:

• A small chance that an egg may be damaged during the injection process
• The possibility that fertilisation may not occur, particularly if egg or sperm quality is affected

Overall, the evidence on the health of children born following ICSI is reassuring. Some studies have suggested a small increase in certain conditions affecting the urinary or reproductive systems, although these remain uncommon. In some cases, boys conceived through ICSI may inherit the same genetic factors that contributed to their father’s fertility difficulties, which could affect their own sperm quality later in life.

For this reason, we believe it is important to recommend ICSI when there is a clear clinical reason to do so. While ICSI can be highly effective in the right circumstances, conventional IVF may be equally appropriate for some people, allowing fertilisation to occur without additional intervention.

At Bourn Hall, treatment recommendations are always tailored to the individual. We take time to understand your fertility history, test results and treatment goals before discussing the options available. By providing clear information and personalised advice, we help you make informed decisions about the approach that is right for you.

At Bourn Hall, we typically recommend ICSI if you’re experiencing issues with your sperm count, movement or shape. It may also be suggested if your sperm was collected during surgery (such as a vasectomy) or if previous IVF attempts haven’t been successful.

ICSI and conventional IVF have similar success rates for many patients in the UK. Using ICSI does not automatically improve outcomes when there is no identified sperm issue. Success depends on individual factors such as age, egg quality and sperm health. 

ICSI is usually recommended when fertilisation may be more difficult, rather than as a way to increase success rates for everyone. At Bourn Hall, our approach is guided by clinical need, choosing the least invasive option appropriate for each patient.