ICSI Treatment and Precautions
While repetitive failed attempts can dishearten you, there are still options available that can help you. One of the many barriers in your journey to pregnancy can be male infertility. With the right medical attention, treating the causes of infertility becomes possible. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI Treatment) is a specialized form of in vitro fertilization that comes into use after multiple failed fertilisation attempts with conventional IVF or sometimes after egg freezing (oocyte preservation).
The couple can go for the ICSI treatment under the following scenarios:
- Low Sperm Count
- Low Sperm Motility
- Bad Morphology
- Pooe Functional Capacity
- Poor Survival Rate
The treatment starts with the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual cycle. With the injection of sperm through a micropipette (needle) into the centre of the egg, the process is initiated. Once the follicles get into its adequate size, eggs (oocyte) are retrieved with the help of anaesthesia.
Partner’s sample of semen is collected on the same day of oocyte retrieval. Selection of morphologically healthy & normal sperms is made, post which one sperm is injected with a needle inside the cytoplasm of each egg. The embryos are then taken to the lab to let it grow further until it’s ready to be transferred back into the uterus.
The duration of this process varies between 3 to 5 days during which it can also be frozen. The patient then gets hormonal assistance through oral as well as vaginal tablets/ injections for about 12-15 days. Eventually, a pregnancy test is conducted after 15 days by examining blood for Beta HCG. If the results are positive, the hormonal medication continues for nearly 10-12 weeks of pregnancy.
Precautions to Take During ICSI Treatment:
- Medications to be followed regularly
- Avoid strenuous exercise
- Avoid sexual intercourse
- Follow a healthy diet
- Avoid caffeine consumption
- Stress management
During ICSI Treatment special medical attention can be required in cases of multiple pregnancies where two or more embryos are transferred. Therefore it is suggested to maintain regular consultations with an expert.
The success rates of IVF cycles vary between 40-60% which even increases with the use of donor gametes. Positive results of this treatment are also dependent on factors such as patient’s age combined with the cause & duration of infertility.
The course of the treatment can lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, breathlessness and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity but proper monitoring, required medication and the freezing of all embryos instead of fresh transfer can help overcome the difficulties associated with respective patients.
Average span of treatment:
2-3 weeks from the 2nd day of the menstrual cycle
Our Success Rate:
70%-85% of the parenthood journey
How Common is it:
40%-50% of the infertility cases
