When couples experience infertility, they may assume that the problem is due to female factor infertility. However, in many cases, male factor infertility is at least partially responsible for the difficulty conceiving. IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is a popular fertility treatment because it can help couples dealing with a wide range of male and female fertility problems. However, if a test has confirmed that the male’s sperm are not as potent as desired, there are additional options to consider.

ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, can increase the success rate of IVF treatment. ICSI addresses fertility problems related to the count or quality of the sperm, providing patients with increased odds of successful fertilization through the IVF process. ICSI candidates at our San Antonio, TX fertility center can benefit from the high rates of success that this fertility treatment offers.

What Is ICSI?

ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, is a fertilization method that can be used during the IVF process. Traditionally, when an egg is fertilized during the IVF process, the sperm and egg are mixed and given time to incubate. During an ICSI procedure, a single sperm is inserted directly into a mature egg. Our doctors first process and clean the sperm sample to ensure that the healthiest sperm are used for this fertilization process. We will insert a sperm into as many mature eggs as possible. By selecting the healthiest sperm and placing it directly in the egg, the fertilization process is faster, and the rate of success is higher.

ICSI Candidates

Any patient who has been trying for more than a year to become pregnant and has been unsuccessful may consider fertility treatment. If a couple has already been determined to be a good candidate for IVF treatment, ICSI may be considered as well.

Patients who are most likely to benefit from this technique are those who have been found to have fertility issues that are related to the count, potency, or motility of the sperm. The following male infertility problems can all be avoided by undergoing IVF using the ICSI technique:

• Low sperm count or low semen volume
• Malformed sperm
• Sperm with low motility (the sperm doesn’t move well enough to travel to the egg on its own)
• Sperm that lacks the potency to fertilize an egg
• Inability to sustain an erection (often related to disease or injury)
• Sperm that cannot be properly ejaculated (often due to a vasectomy or injury)

If a semen analysis diagnoses any of the abovementioned problems, ICSI is the best way to promote the success of fertilization during IVF. This procedure allows us to separate the healthiest sperm to maximize the potential of each sperm sample.

Schedule an Appointment

If you have been unsuccessful in your attempts to conceive, there are many fertility treatment options to explore. Schedule an appointment with one of the experienced fertility specialists at the Fertility Center of San Antonio at your earliest convenience to learn how our wide range of fertility services can help you achieve your dream of parenthood.