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ICSI and sperm selection
- Dedicated fertility consultants
- State-of-the-art investigation techniques
- Over 23,000 babies born with us
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ICSI AND SPERM SELECTION AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We have decades of experience in fertility treatment, we’ve helped thousands of couples, and we understand how complex and emotional this journey can be. If male infertility issues have made it difficult for you to conceive with regular IVF, this treatment may improve your chances of success.
You’ll be looked after by experienced embryologists, dedicated to giving you exceptional care, using the latest technology and techniques. We’ll give you the best possible chance on your fertility journey, even if previous attempts at starting a family haven’t worked.
You’ll be looked after by experienced embryologists, dedicated to giving you exceptional care, using the latest technology and techniques. We’ll give you the best possible chance on your fertility journey, even if previous attempts at starting a family haven’t worked.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a more specialized version of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The key difference is the way the egg is fertilised.
In regular IVF, sperm and eggs are blended in a dish, but with ICSI, a single healthy sperm is directly injected into each egg using a fine needle. This is the main benefit of ICSI, because the sperm don’t have to penetrate the egg naturally.
The resulting embryos are cultured in our lab, and then a fertilised embryo is transferred to the female partner’s womb.
We often recommend ICSI if you’ve had several failed attempts to conceive because of male fertility problems, such as a low sperm count or issues with the sperm’s shape or how much they move.
Apart from this difference in the fertilisation process, the rest of the ICSI treatment is very similar to regular IVF.
ICSI is specifically recommended if you’re having issues with a male partner’s sperm, such as a low sperm count, the sperm not being mobile enough, or not being the correct shape.
It can be more effective than regular IVF if:
It can be more effective than regular IVF if:
- The sperm can’t move properly or aren’t the right shape to penetrate an egg
- The sperm have been surgically retrieved
- There are high levels of antibodies in the semen
- The male partner is being tested for a genetic disorder
- The sperm have DNA damage
- Previous IVF treatments have been unsuccessful and sperm issues are suspected
Because ICSI (the process above) uses a single sperm directly injected into each egg, it’s important to try and use the best possible sperm.
Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI) is an additional process that may help to identify the healthiest sperm from the male partner’s sample.
It looks at each sperm under very high magnification (x6000) to check their shape and structure and identify which ones are most likely to lead to a successful pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI) is an additional process that may help to identify the healthiest sperm from the male partner’s sample.
It looks at each sperm under very high magnification (x6000) to check their shape and structure and identify which ones are most likely to lead to a successful pregnancy.
There’s not enough evidence to say that the IMSI process will definitely improve your chances of ICSI success, or that it should be recommended for all couples. However, there is some evidence that it can have benefits if you have problems with your sperm quality, or if you’ve tried ICSI on its own without success.
It’s an ‘add-on’ treatment that can only be done in combination with ICSI, and your consultant can help you decide if you could benefit from it.
It’s an ‘add-on’ treatment that can only be done in combination with ICSI, and your consultant can help you decide if you could benefit from it.
23,000+
babies born with us
10+
dedicated fertility consultants
35+
years since we opened our doors
Everything in-house
All our tests and procedures are carried out onsite, and our main clinic is linked to the HCA UK hospital network
State-of-the-art labs
Expert processing in our outstanding labs
Exceptional, personalised care
In modern, comfortable facilities
ICSI AND SPERM SELECTION
What to expect
We understand how difficult it can be to come back to treatment when previous attempts haven’t been successful.
Our dedicated consultants and teams have decades of experience and will take exceptional care of you at every stage. We’re here to answer any questions or concerns you have.
Our dedicated consultants and teams have decades of experience and will take exceptional care of you at every stage. We’re here to answer any questions or concerns you have.
01
Initial consultation
When you first talk to your consultant, they’ll ask you and your partner about your medical history. That might include your family’s medical history, any illnesses you’ve had, any medications you’re taking and your overall health and lifestyle.
You’ll have a chance to share the details of any previous fertility issues or treatments, and your consultant will discuss some tests and scans you may need to make sure ICSI is a good treatment option. This may include fertility screening, such as semen analysis for the male partner and assessing the female partner's ovarian reserve.
You’ll have a chance to share the details of any previous fertility issues or treatments, and your consultant will discuss some tests and scans you may need to make sure ICSI is a good treatment option. This may include fertility screening, such as semen analysis for the male partner and assessing the female partner's ovarian reserve.
02
Tests and scans
Your consultant may order a number of different tests to help determine the best possible treatment, such as:
Blood tests: For the female partner, these tests will help to determine the quantity and health of her eggs (her ovarian reserve), and the blood tests will also check you both for infectious diseases and screen for any inherited conditions.
Semen analysis: The male partner will need to have a semen analysis where a semen sample gets checked to examine the quantity of his sperm, its shape, how well it moves and its genetic condition.
Scans: Your consultant might order ultrasound scans to look at the female partner’s uterus and fallopian tubes, or to check her ovarian reserve.
Every couple is different, and your consultant will talk you through the specifics of what needs to be tested for and why.
03
ICSI treatment
The female partner will begin having hormone injections to stimulate her ovaries and increase egg production, and when they’re ready, her eggs will be extracted in a mild surgical procedure. Sperm will be collected from the male partner, either via masturbation or another form of retrieval, then single, healthy sperms from that sample will be directly injected into each egg using a fine needle.
Your consultant might recommend Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI) treatment to help identify the healthiest and most suitable sperm from the sample before they’re injected into the eggs.
Those injected eggs are monitored, and as they become embryos, the best ones are selected and transferred into the woman’s womb using a catheter.
After a few weeks, you’ll be able to take a pregnancy test to see if the treatment’s been successful.
Your consultant might recommend Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI) treatment to help identify the healthiest and most suitable sperm from the sample before they’re injected into the eggs.
Those injected eggs are monitored, and as they become embryos, the best ones are selected and transferred into the woman’s womb using a catheter.
After a few weeks, you’ll be able to take a pregnancy test to see if the treatment’s been successful.
04
Follow-up
If the ICSI treatment has resulted in a pregnancy, you’ll keep checking in with your team until they transfer you both into the regular routines of prenatal care.
If, unfortunately, your treatment hasn’t been successful, your consultant will take time to talk through your results, see how you’re feeling, and suggest some potential options for the future.
If, unfortunately, your treatment hasn’t been successful, your consultant will take time to talk through your results, see how you’re feeling, and suggest some potential options for the future.
Locations
Where can I have ICSI and sperm selection treatment?
This specialist fertility treatment is available at all of our dedicated centres. We have four in London and one in Buckinghamshire, all staffed with dedicated consultants and skilled care teams.
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at Canary Wharf Outpatients
40 Bank Street Canary Wharf E14 5NR London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
ICSI and sperm selection FAQ
You should be able to secure an appointment with one of our fertility specialists within 24 hours.
Yes, you can. We have both male and female fertility consultants available, so you can make your appointment with a specialist that you can feel comfortable with.
ICSI can involve different methods and procedures depending on your specific circumstances and might form part of a wider fertility treatment plan. To get a more detailed idea of costs, get in touch and we’ll be able to talk you through your options.
The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) inspects all our clinics to assess their compliance with regulations and standards and gives them a rating. This is to help you choose your clinic based on the quality of its services.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
Our patients’ stories
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
“My consultant explained everything about timelines, procedures and risks clearly and instilled confidence in our treatment. ”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.