ICSI Treatment
At Eva IVF & Women’s Centre, we understand the emotional toll infertility can have on couples trying to conceive. If male infertility is a challenge in your journey, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) offers a highly effective solution.
ICSI is an advanced fertility treatment designed to assist couples who struggle with low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal sperm morphology. This guide is specifically for individuals and couples considering ICSI treatment. We’ll walk you through the entire process, success rates, pre-treatment preparation, and post-treatment care to help you make an informed decision.
What is ICSI and Who Needs It?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized form of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) where a single, healthy sperm is directly injected into a mature egg to maximize fertilization chances.
Who Should Consider ICSI?
ICSI is recommended for:
✔ Severe male infertility (low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal shape)
✔ Previous IVF failure due to fertilization issues
✔ Azoospermia (No sperm in semen) – Sperm retrieved surgically from the testicles
✔ Couples using frozen sperm or donor sperm
✔ Couples opting for genetic testing (PGT) before embryo transfer
If you or your partner have male infertility concerns, ICSI can significantly improve your chances of conception.
Step-by-Step ICSI Treatment Process
Day 2-3 of Menstrual Cycle: The female partner starts hormonal injections (gonadotropins) to stimulate multiple egg growth.
📊 Monitoring includes:
✔ Ultrasounds to track follicle growth
✔ Blood tests to check hormone levels
⏳ Duration: 10-12 days of controlled ovarian stimulation to ensure mature egg production.
Once follicles reach 18-22mm, an hCG trigger shot is given to induce final egg maturation.
🔹 Procedure:
✔ Done under mild sedation – completely painless
✔ Eggs are retrieved using a fine needle under ultrasound guidance
✔ The retrieved eggs are sent to the laboratory for ICSI fertilization
🕒 Duration: 15-20 minutes
⏳ Recovery: Same-day discharge – rest recommended for 24 hours.
🔹 Fresh or frozen sperm is collected from the male partner (or a donor).
💡 If no sperm is found in the ejaculate, surgical sperm retrieval techniques like TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or Micro-TESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction) are performed.
🔬 Sperm Selection Process:
✔ Sperm is "washed" and analyzed to select the best-quality, motile sperm
✔ A single, healthy sperm is chosen for fertilization
🔹 In traditional IVF, sperm is mixed with the egg in a petri dish. In ICSI, a single sperm is directly injected into the egg using a fine micropipette.
✔ Fertilization is checked after 16-18 hours
✔ The fertilized egg (embryo) is cultured for 3-5 days before transfer
✔ Day 3 Embryo Transfer – Used for early-stage embryos
✔ Day 5 Blastocyst Transfer – Preferred for higher implantation success
💡 Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can be performed before transfer to screen for genetic abnormalities.
The best-quality embryo is transferred into the uterus using a soft catheter.
✔ Painless procedure – No anesthesia required
✔ Takes 10-15 minutes
✔ Bed rest for a short time, then normal activities can resume
💡 Frozen Embryos can be stored for future attempts (Frozen Embryo Transfer – FET).
What Happens After ICSI? The 2-Week Wait
14 days after embryo transfer, a blood pregnancy test (beta hCG) is done to confirm pregnancy.
✔ Avoid stress & heavy activities
✔ Continue progesterone medications for implantation support
✔ Eat a nutrient-rich, fertility-friendly diet
Success Rates of ICSI at Eva IVF Chennai
- 50-60% for women under 35
- 35-50% for women aged 35-40
- 20-30% for women over 40 (Donor eggs may be recommended)
✔ Success improves with frozen embryo transfer (FET) and genetic screening.
Pre-Treatment Practices – How to Prepare for ICSI?
✔ Follow a Fertility-Boosting Diet (Protein, Antioxidants, Omega-3)
✔ Take Prenatal Supplements (Folic Acid, Vitamin D, CoQ10)
✔ Maintain a Healthy Weight – Avoid being underweight/overweight
✔ Quit Smoking, Alcohol & Reduce Caffeine Intake
✔ Manage Stress with Meditation, Yoga, or Therapy
Post-Treatment Advice – What to Do After ICSI?
✔ Rest for 24-48 hours after embryo transfer
✔ Avoid Heavy Exercise, Lifting, or Stressful Activities
✔ Stay Hydrated & Eat Implantation-Supporting Foods
✔ Take All Medications as Prescribed
✔ Monitor Symptoms & Attend Follow-Up Appointments
Key Aspects of Mental Health & Wellness
Mental health and wellness refer to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how individuals think, feel, and behave in daily life, as well as how they handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Good mental health enables people to cope with challenges, maintain relationships, and function effectively in work and personal life.
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Emotional Well-being
The ability to manage emotions, such as stress, anxiety, sadness.
Cognitive Health
Maintaining clarity in thinking, decision making, and problem-solving.
Social Wellness
Building and maintaining positive the relationships with family, friends
Resilience & Coping Skills
The ability to adapt to challenges, setbacks, and life changes.
Mental health is a vital aspect of overall well-being
We think, feel, and interact with the world around us. It encompasses emotional, psychological, and social wellness, helping individuals cope with stress, build relationships, a make decisions. Prioritizing mental health involves self-care, mindfulness, an seeking support when needed, whether through therapy, counseling, or lifestyle changes. Just like physical health, maintaining mental well-being is essential
We provide counseling, therapy, stress management programs, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, mindfulness training, and wellness programs
We provide counseling, therapy, stress management programs, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, mindfulness training, and wellness programs
We provide counseling, therapy, stress management programs, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, mindfulness training, and wellness programs
We provide counseling, therapy, stress management programs, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, mindfulness training, and wellness programs
Benefits of ICSI – Why Choose This Treatment?
🌟 Overcomes Severe Male Infertility – Even a single sperm can fertilize an egg
🌟 Higher Fertilization Rates than Conventional IVF
🌟 Allows Genetic Screening (PGT) Before Implantation
🌟 Works Even with Frozen Sperm or Testicular Sperm Retrieval