IVF with ICSI
Welcome to our guide to ICSI treatment: digestible, comprehensive and reviewed by medical experts. Whether you’re brand new to fertility treatment or a pro already, this guide is for you to better understand the ins and outs of IVF with ICSI treatment.
What is IVF with ICSI treatment?
IVF with ICSI is a type of fertility treatment for couples or individuals who seek assistance to conceive a child. In IVF with ICSI, eggs and sperm are fertilized outside of the uterus with a procedure that places one sperm into each egg to assist with fertilization, before being implanted into the person carrying the pregnancy.
What happens in IVF with ICSI treatment?
It starts the same way as in standard IVF: a female partner will go through egg retrieval, and those eggs will be fertilized in a lab. A male partner will produce a semen sample, often in a medical facility, and it will be combined with the retrieved eggs to create embryos. But, instead of leaving the egg in a dish filled with sperm to attempt fertilization, like in standard IVF, there’s a little extra work to ensure the best quality sperm reaches eggs.
In ICSI treatment, an embryologist will wash the sperm and select one individual sperm to inject into each egg to give the egg the best possible chance to fertilize.
Like standard IVF, IVF with ICSI takes around 4-6 weeks, depending on your medication protocol and where you are in your menstrual cycle.3
When is ICSI recommended?
ICSI can be an option if sperm count is low, doesn’t move normally (“motility”), or has an irregular shape (“morphology”) that prevents it from fertilizing an egg.4 You might also be a good candidate if you have challenging results in your fertility history, including poor fertilization, egg thawing, and PGT-A results.
“Exploring potential male factor issues is just as important as female, but isn't anywhere near as heavily focused on as it should be.”
Mike and Hollie
How much does IVF with ICSI cost?
Here are average costs for IVF with ICSI:
Base cost of IVF:
$13,000
ICSI:
$1,350
Additional procedures:
$3,000
Medication:
$2,000-$5,000
Total average cost:
$20,850
The cost depends on your clinic and the medication your doctor prescribes.
Medication
Your doctor will prescribe the protocol that they think will work best for you. If you decide to go through multiple cycles of IVF to increase your chances of pregnancy, your doctor will be able to better understand the medication protocols that work best for your body.
Depending on your situation, there may be multiple options, including or “mild” or “stimulated” IVF cycles, which use less medication and are slightly less expensive than standard IVF. Your fertility doctor will be able to tell you which option(s) will be best for you.
Unexpected Fees
Because everyone’s treatment is unique, everyone’s price is unique, too. Clinics often list “ballpark” pricing because patients might need different essential procedures and medications, like embryo freezing and storage for additional embryos created, sedation during egg collection, PGT testing, and medication, which can be up to $3,000 on top of your treatment costs.
ICSI’s additional cost
ICSI generally adds $1,350 to a standard IVF cycle’s costs.
The bottom line
ICSI, in conjunction with IVF, is a good option for people with male factor infertility or a history of poor fertilization. The cost of standard IVF with ICSI in the US is between $19,350-$22,350, including medication and all essential procedures. If you need help financing your IVF treatment, consider applying for a Gaia Plan, which will cover all your treatment costs and allow you to start treatment for as little as a protection fee.
Is IVF with ICSI a good option for me?
If you have signs of male factor fertility issues, ICSI can be a good option. Your fertility doctor can help you understand the options available for your specific situation and whether you need any diagnostic tests.
Depending on factors including your age, health, and fertility history, you might be eligible for a Gaia Plan to finance your ICSI and IVF treatment.
Who is IVF with ICSI most suitable for?
ICSI is a suitable option for heterosexual couples with male factor fertility issues. Learn more about other treatment options below:
Standard IVF
