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ICSI Procedure for a Higher Success Rate

ICSI or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is the infertility treatment used when a couple is unable to conceive because the man has sperm-related problems. It is essentially an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) that helps increase the chances of fertilization in the IVF procedure, as only a single sperm is injected into a mature egg. This egg is  then placed in the woman’s fallopian tubes.


The different issues that prompt the use of ICSI

  • The sperm cannot be collected via normal masturbation, and  it is retrieved from the testicle by making an incision
  • In some cases, there could be a blockage that does not permit the sperm to get ejaculated
  • Development issues in sperm
  • Low sperm count

The Process 

Typically, in the ICSI Procedure, we screen the patients for genetic problems and the appropriate tests are carried out too. This is how the ICSI procedure is done:

  • IVF with ICSI, is done using a special tool
  • The embryologist selects a single sperm
  • A needle is used to inject the sperm through the egg’s outer coating, into the cytoplasm
  • Generally, most of the eggs which are injected with the sperm in this manner, get fertilized
  • The female partner be given medications before her eggs are retrieved
  • She will be closely monitored for about 2 weeks and the eggs will then be retrieved
  • She will be given FSH (follicle stimulating hormones) to stimulate her ovaries to superovulate (production of a larger number of eggs)
  • The maturity of the eggs is also checked by ultrasound and the medication dosage will be altered based on the results of the ultrasound
  • The eggs are then checked; after they are fertilized, the good quality embryos will be selected
  • One or two of the embryos will be placed in the woman's uterus using a catheter
  • The rest of the embryos can be frozen for later IVF cycles in case the current one isn’t successful or if the couple wishes to have another child at a later date

When is ICSI Used?

Most patients wonder whether ICSI will be useful for them; the fact is that there aren’t any set rules that state which cases ICSI have to be used for and ones that don’t. Most infertility clinics will use this procedure only in case of severe male infertility, while others tend to use it as a standard procedure in all the cases they handle.


 

Summary

ICSI or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is the infertility treatment used when a couple is unable to conceive because the man has sperm-related problems. It is essentially an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) that helps increase the chances of fertilization in the IVF procedure, as only a single sperm is injected into a mature egg.

Not happy with the attention you are getting from your IVF clinic? Need more information? Please send me your medical details by filling in the form at www.drmalpani.com/free-second-opinion so that I can guide you!

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