ICSI vs IVF: What’s the difference between them?
Advances in modern medicine have created numerous assisted reproductive technologies to help people overcome fertility challenges.
Two such treatments are in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI). But what’s the difference between them, and which one is right for you?
In this article, we explain each treatment in more detail, highlighting how they differ and why one may suit you better. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about IVF and ICSI.
What is IVF?
IVF is where fertility experts fertilise an egg with sperm outside the womb in a laboratory. Once the egg has developed into an embryo (this typically occurs a couple of days after fertilisation), we then transfer it back into your womb to lead to a potential pregnancy.
We can perform IVF with your eggs or sperm, previously frozen or fresh, or donor sperm and eggs. IVF also allows for surrogacy, where another woman carries your baby.
Your fertility specialist can also give you medication before collecting your eggs to increase your overall egg production for use in IVF.
What is ICSI?
ICSI is another fertility treatment that’s similar to IVF. However, it helps you overcome the challenge of sperm that can’t fertilise the egg during the IVF process.
In ICSI, we inject sperm directly into the eggs to enhance the chances of fertilisation. The needle used is extremely thin, so the risk of damaging the egg is minimal. We then place a developed embryo back into your womb for implantation, and any additional good embryos can be frozen or stored for future transfer.
What are the key differences between IVF and ICSI?
IVF and ICSI are connected, as we can perform ICSI as part of the IVF process. However, the procedures differ.
During the IVF process of retrieving eggs, we fertilise them with sperm in a laboratory and place them back into your womb. In contrast, the ICSI process involves fertilising an egg with a fine needle containing sperm. ICSI can be a part of your IVF journey, but you can have IVF without ICSI.
Your suitability for IVF and ICSI can also differ.
IVF might suit you if:
You have unexplained infertility
Other treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) have not worked
You are using donor eggs
ICSI might suit you if you:
Have a low sperm count or poor sperm motility
Have an abnormal semen analysis or sperm test result
Use donor eggs in your treatment
Have retrograde ejaculation
Have a condition that prevents egg fertilisation
IVF and ICSI can work together to help you start or continue your family. The main differences between them are their suitability and the fact that IVF can be performed without ICSI.
Comparing success rates of IVF and ICSI
As with any fertility treatment, success rates depend on various factors, such as your age and overall health. You should also consider success rates a guideline rather than a guarantee.
Specialists consider ICSI a successful procedure for helping sperm to fertilise an egg. However, as we then use the embryo in IVF treatment, the success rates for ICSI and IVF are similar.
Generally, IVF may be more successful in women under 35 – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be successful if you’re older than this. Back in 2022, the average IVF success rate was shown to be 25% (as later statistics are not yet available).
However, at BCRM, our IVF success rates are almost double the national average at 47% for women under 35. Our success rate for women between 35 and 37 specifically is also 37%, highlighting our clinical excellence.
As success rates for IVF and ICSI are so similar (because ICSI coincides with the IVF process), influencing factors like your age play a primary role in your chances of getting pregnant using IVF.
Risks and considerations of IVF and ICSI
As with any medical procedure, risks or complications are possible.
Some of the main potential risks of IVF include:
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – the medication that specialists give you during IVF to increase egg production can cause OHSS, causing too many eggs to develop in your ovaries. This can then lead to them becoming enlarged and painful, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you think you may have OHSS.
Multiple births – during IVF, more than one embryo may be transferred to your womb, or an embryo may divide after transfer.
Ectopic pregnancy – you have a slightly elevated risk of an ectopic pregnancy occurring because of IVF. The embryo implants into your fallopian tube instead of your womb. Ectopic pregnancies can be a medical emergency if your fallopian tube ruptures due to the growing embryo.
Possible complications of ICSI are:
Damage to the eggs – as we inject the sperm into the egg, there is a slight chance that this could lead to damage, potentially causing problems with implantation or miscarriage
Ectopic pregnancy – ICSI can elevate the risk of ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilised egg implants outside of the uterus)
OHSS – the ICSI process may still involve the use of medication, so there’s a risk of OHSS developing
At BCRM, our team will always do everything they can to minimise your risks, allowing you to feel confident in your choice of fertility centre.
Choosing the right treatment
Choosing the right fertility treatment is something you should do with a fertility consultant’s support. By discussing the options with them, they’ll be able to help identify the right solution for you, based on your exact health needs.
With fertility treatment, there’s no one size fits all – a personalised approach is always necessary. Discussing your goals and medical history with a specialist fertility consultant will ensure you’re on the right track.
Discover IVF and ICSI with BCRM
Contact our fertility experts if you’re considering starting fertility treatment. Our team of specialist consultants will discuss your situation and help you make the correct decision.
We’re here to help you take the first steps into parenthood and ensure you receive the best fertility treatment for your body and family.