What Is ICSI & How Is It Different from IVF?



What Is ICSI & How Is It Different from IVF?
 For couples struggling with infertility, understanding the right treatment options can feel overwhelming. Two of the most common and effective fertility treatments are IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)—but what exactly are they, and how do they differ?
While both procedures aim to achieve pregnancy by fertilizing eggs outside the body, the method of fertilization and reasons for choosing each are quite different. IVF mimics natural fertilization in a laboratory setting, whereas ICSI involves the direct injection of a single sperm into an egg—making it especially helpful in cases of male infertility.
Isha Women’s Hospital, the best IVF centre of Dombivali, offers both IVF and ICSI with personalized care and state-of-the-art technology. In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of IVF and


Understanding IVF and ICSI Basics

If you and your partner are exploring fertility treatment options, you’ve likely come across terms like IVF and ICSI. While both are advanced techniques used in assisted reproduction, they work differently and are recommended based on individual fertility challenges.
Dr. Chinmay Pataki one of the most trusted & best fertility specialist of Dombivali at Isha Women Hospital aims to simplify these complex terms so you can make informed decisions about your journey toward parenthood.


What Is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the most widely used fertility treatments today. “IVF” refers to the process of fertilizing eggs with sperm in a laboratory dish, outside the woman’s body.
How Does IVF Work?
  • The woman’s ovaries are stimulated with medications to produce multiple mature eggs.
  • These eggs are retrieved through a minor, painless procedure using ultrasound guidance.
  • The male partner provides a semen sample, or frozen donor sperm may be used.
  • The eggs and sperm are placed together in a lab dish, where fertilization occurs naturally—that is, the sperm swims to the egg and penetrates it on its own.
  • After fertilization, the resulting embryos are cultured for a few days, and the healthiest one(s) are selected for transfer into the uterus.
Who Can Benefit From IVF?
IVF is especially beneficial for women with:
  • Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Endometriosis
  • Ovulation disorders
  • Unexplained infertility
  • Couples who have not conceived with simpler treatments like ovulation induction or IUI


What Is ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an advanced form of IVF, developed specifically to overcome certain types of male infertility. In ICSI, instead of allowing the sperm to find and fertilize the egg on its own, a trained embryologist selects a healthy single sperm and injects it directly into the egg using a microneedle under a high-powered microscope.
How ICSI Is Performed:
  • After egg and sperm collection, the embryologist carefully selects individual sperm with good shape and motility.
  • Using a micromanipulator, the sperm is injected straight into the cytoplasm of the egg.
  • Once fertilization occurs, embryo development is closely monitored, and the best embryo is transferred into the uterus.
When Is ICSI Recommended?
ICSI is typically advised when:
  • The male partner has a low sperm count (oligospermia)
  • Sperm shows poor motility or abnormal shape (asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia)
  • There is a history of failed fertilization in previous IVF attempts
  • Sperm is retrieved through surgical techniques like TESA or Micro-TESE
  • Frozen sperm or eggs are being used (where sperm may be limited)
ICSI requires specialized lab equipment and high-level expertise—something we proudly offer at Isha Women’s Hospital.


IVF vs. ICSI: What’s the Difference?

Though IVF and ICSI share many steps (egg retrieval, embryo transfer, etc.), their core difference lies in how fertilization is achieved.
Feature-wise Comparison: IVF vs ICSI
  • Sperm Use
    • IVF: Multiple sperm are placed near each egg.
    • ICSI: A single healthy sperm is injected directly into each egg.
  • Fertilization Process
    • IVF: Fertilization occurs naturally in the lab dish.
    • ICSI: Fertilization is manually performed under a microscope.
  • Best Suited For
    • IVF: Female infertility, unexplained infertility, tubal issues.
    • ICSI: Male infertility, low sperm quality or quantity.
  • Cost
    • IVF: Slightly lower.
    • ICSI: Slightly higher due to precision techniques.
  • Risks
    • IVF: Low overall.
    • ICSI: Similar risks, but sperm-related concerns may be magnified.
  • Success Rate
    • IVF: 30–50% depending on age and egg quality.
    • ICSI: Often higher in male infertility cases.

 


When Is ICSI Recommended?

While IVF has helped countless couples overcome fertility challenges, there are certain situations where it may not be enough—especially when male infertility is a significant factor. That’s where ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) becomes the preferred choice. Isha Women’s Hospital, under the guidance of Dr. Chinmay Pataki recommends ICSI when precision fertilization is necessary to maximize the chances of success.
When Should You Choose ICSI?
ICSI is not required for every IVF cycle—but it can be a game-changer in specific situations where natural fertilization may be difficult or impossible.
Here are the most common indications for choosing ICSI:
1. Severe Male Infertility
ICSI is especially helpful when the male partner has:
  • Low sperm count (oligospermia)
  • Poor motility (asthenozoospermia)
  • Abnormal sperm shape (teratozoospermia)
These conditions can prevent sperm from reaching or penetrating the egg in a traditional IVF setting. ICSI bypasses these hurdles by directly injecting a selected sperm into the egg.
2. Previous Failed IVF Attempts
If a couple has undergone IVF in the past but experienced failed fertilization, ICSI can significantly improve the outcome in subsequent attempts.
3. Fertilization Problems in Prior Cycles
Even when eggs and sperm appear normal, some couples experience unexpected fertilization failure. In such cases, switching to ICSI helps ensure that sperm is effectively introduced into the egg.
4. Using Frozen Sperm or Eggs
When either eggs or sperm have been cryopreserved, the number or quality of viable sperm may be limited. ICSI ensures that each precious egg is given the best chance to fertilize using the available sperm.
5. Undergoing PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)
When couples opt for genetic screening of embryos (PGT-A/PGT-M), ICSI is typically recommended. That’s because it helps avoid contamination from additional sperm around the egg, which could affect genetic test results.


How ICSI Works: Step-by-Step

The ICSI process is quite similar to IVF in many ways. The major difference lies in the method of fertilization.
Here’s how an ICSI cycle unfolds:
 
  • Step 1: Egg Retrieval-  Just like in IVF, the woman is given fertility medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are retrieved under ultrasound guidance in a short, painless procedure.
  • Step 2: Sperm Collection-  The male partner provides a semen sample on the same day. If necessary, sperm can be surgically retrieved using procedures like TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) or Micro-TESE. Frozen sperm samples can also be used.
  • Step 3: Single Sperm Injection-  A skilled embryologist examines the sperm under a microscope and selects the best one. Using advanced micromanipulation tools, this sperm is carefully injected directly into the cytoplasm of the egg.
  • Step 4: Fertilization Monitoring-  Fertilization is checked after 16–18 hours to see how many eggs have successfully fertilized. These are then grown into embryos in the lab over the next few days.
  • Step 5: Embryo Transfer-  Once embryos reach the optimal stage (usually Day 3 or Day 5), the best-quality embryo is selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus—just like in a regular IVF cycle.
ICSI combines precision with advanced lab technology to overcome barriers that traditional IVF may not address. At Isha Women’s Hospital, we’re proud to offer state-of-the-art ICSI services in our high-tech embryology lab—helping couples facing even the toughest fertility challenges.


Safety, Cost & Success Rates

As more couples turn to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and ICSI, it’s natural to have questions about safety, success rates, and affordability. Isha Women’s Hospital believes in offering clear, evidence-based guidance to help you feel confident and well-informed as you explore your fertility options.
Is ICSI Safe?
Yes, ICSI is generally considered safe, especially when performed in a well-equipped fertility center by trained embryologists. It has been used worldwide for over two decades and has helped millions of couples become parents.
However, because ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into the egg, there are a few important considerations:
What You Should Know:
  • ICSI bypasses the body’s natural sperm selection process, which means there may be a slightly increased chance of passing on genetic abnormalities—especially if the male partner has underlying genetic issues.
  • For this reason, couples with a history of severe male infertility may be advised to undergo genetic counseling or testing before proceeding.
  • Numerous long-term studies have shown that children born through ICSI are just as healthy as those conceived through traditional IVF or natural conception.


ICSI Success Rate vs IVF

A common misconception is that ICSI guarantees a higher pregnancy rate than IVF. In truth, ICSI primarily increases the fertilization rate, especially when sperm quality is poor. Pregnancy success still depends on multiple factors like egg quality, embryo health, uterine environment, and age.
Age-Wise Success Rates: IVF vs ICSI
  • Under 35
    • IVF Success Rate: 40–50%
    • ICSI Success Rate: 45–55%
  • Age 35–37
    • IVF Success Rate: 35–40%
    • ICSI Success Rate: 40–50%
  • Age 38–40
    • IVF Success Rate: 25–30%
    • ICSI Success Rate: 30–35%
  • Age 40+
    • IVF Success Rate: 10–20%
    • ICSI Success Rate: 15–25%
  • ICSI boosts fertilization, not embryo implantation or live birth rates.
  • In cases of male factor infertility, ICSI often leads to better fertilization outcomes, which increases the chances of having healthy embryos to transfer.
  • The overall success still hinges on a combination of both partners’ reproductive health.

 


Cost Difference Between IVF and ICSI

While the processes of IVF and ICSI are similar, ICSI requires specialized equipment, highly skilled embryologists, and micromanipulation tools—which makes it slightly more expensive than conventional IVF.
Typical Cost Difference in India:
  • ICSI adds an additional ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 to the cost of a standard IVF cycle, depending on the clinic and services offered.
  • While this may seem significant, the additional cost is justified when male infertility is a key concern, or when prior IVF cycles have failed to result in fertilization.
Dr Chinmay Pataki’s Isha Women’s Hospital, being the best fertility hospital understands that cost is a major factor for many families. That’s why we offer:
  • Customized treatment packages based on your clinical needs
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden charges
  • Flexible payment plans and counseling support
Dr Chinmay Pataki, the renowned IVF expert of Dombivali believe that every couple deserves a fair shot at building their family—and we work hard to make that possible.
Whether you’re considering IVF or ICSI, the most important step is choosing the right fertility clinic—one that combines medical expertise, cutting-edge technology, and genuine care.
At Isha Women’s Hospital Dombivali, Dr. Chinmay Pataki and our dedicated team are committed to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood. With an advanced embryology lab, experienced embryologists, and tailored fertility care, Isha Women Hospital stands as the best IVF and ICSI center in Dombivali.
Ready to take the next step? Book your consultation today at Isha Women Hospital and let us help turn your dream of having a baby into reality—with science, empathy, and care.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is ICSI better than IVF?
Ans - Not always — ICSI is better for specific cases, especially male factor infertility.
2. Can ICSI help if IVF failed before?
Ans - Yes, especially if poor fertilization was the issue.
3. Is ICSI painful or risky?
Ans - The process is the same for the patient — only the lab technique changes.
4. Does ICSI increase the chance of twins?
Ans - No, that depends on how many embryos are transferred, not the fertilization method.
5. Will my baby be normal after ICSI?
Ans - Most ICSI-conceived babies are healthy, with no higher risk of issues compared to IVF.