IVF vs ICSI Treatment Explained: Which One Works Better for Infertility?

When you're struggling to conceive, understanding your fertility treatment options can feel overwhelming. You might get confused about which option to try. Is it IVF or ICSI? Which will be better for you?

Well, while both aim to help couples achieve pregnancy, they differ in how fertilisation takes place. And more importantly, they are effective in different types of infertility. Both treatments can suit one or different person at a time, depending on their condition.

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between IVF and ICSI, explore who benefits most from each, and help you understand which treatment may offer better results based on your specific situation.

What is IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation)?

To create a baby, infertile couples frequently undergo in vitro fertilisation. It is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART), whereby a woman's ovaries are cultivated, and under particular laboratory circumstances, sperm and eggs are then fertilised. After the process, the fertilised eggs develop into embryos, which are transported to the woman's uterus for implantation.

Also read: Step By Step IVF Process

What is ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)?

In ICSI, a single sperm is directly injected into the egg by using an ICSI machine in a lab. ICSI is done with high precision and monitoring, which increases the chances of conceiving for the couple.

Learn More: Is ICSI the Only Option for Sperm Issues?

ICSI vs IVF Treatment: Which is Better?

Well, ICSI and IVF are equally effective. The issue that causes infertility determines which option is best in that situation.

In IVF, multiple embryos are formed and the best embryo is chosen from among them. It raises the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. Due to the increased possibilities of pregnancy, IVF is typically preferred by infertile couples.

ICSI is recommended by the doctors if sperm examination reveals low sperm count, low sperm quality, low sperm motility, or if there has already been one unsuccessful IVF round.

Factors to Decide Which Treatment is Better & Effective

As discussed above, IVF and ICSI are both effective fertility treatments, but the better option depends on the cause of infertility. But here are some factors you can consider to decide which fertility treatment will suit you better. It includes:

• Fertilisation Rates:

ICSI vs IVF success rate largely depends on the fertilisation. When male infertility is an issue, ICSI has a greater fertilisation rate. According to studies, ICSI fertilises 70–80% of eggs, while IVF only fertilises 50–60%. Also, in cases when male infertility is absent, the implantation and live birth rates for ICSI and IVF are comparable.

• Cost of Treatment:

The complexity of the couple's situation determines how much IVF and ICSI treatment costs. As ICSI has a more complex procedure, it is always expensive than IVF. Both of these treatments cost between INR 150,000 and INR 500,000 each cycle in various hospitals and fertility clinics.

In India, the ICSI treatment cost is between Rs. 2,40,000 and Rs. 2,50,000 each cycle. In contrast, a single IVF round costs between Rs. 1,50,000 and Rs. 2,50,000.

• The Cause of Infertility:

ICSI has no discernible benefit over IVF if the woman is the only cause of the infertility (obstructed fallopian tubes, problems with the quality of the eggs, etc.). In certain situations, using the conventional approach might be more economical.

IVF is recommended for women with damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, couples with unexplained infertility and moderate male factor infertility cases.

Whereas, ICSI works better for patients with severe male infertility, such as low sperm count, motility, or aberrant morphology.

• Emotional Health:

ICSI and IVF can both be emotionally taxing procedures. While some couples may prefer the targeted intervention of ICSI, others may find the "natural" approach of IVF more appealing.

In such cases, it is highly recommended to consult with the best IVF doctor in Delhi, who helps you better understand the right treatment for you, taking care of your emotional and physical well-being.

• Your Health History:

IVF may be a safer alternative to ICSI for some medical issues, such as uterine fibroids or severe endometriosis.



Comparison Between IVF vs ICSI Treatment

Here is a chart to help you better understand the differences between IVF and ICSI treatment and decide what you must choose depending on your condition.

Feature	IVF	ICSI
Fertilization Method	Egg and sperm are placed together to allow natural fertilisation	A single sperm is directly injected into the egg inside a lab
Level of Involvement	Lower intervention as it relies on the sperm’s ability to fertilise the egg	Higher intervention, as it bypasses natural sperm penetration
Ideal For	Tubal issues, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, mild male issues	Severe male factor infertility, low sperm count/motility, failed IVF
Fertilisation Success	It may not work well if the sperm is weak or unable to penetrate the egg	More reliable with poor sperm quality or failed previous attempts
Embryologist Role	Limited to preparing the environment for fertilisation	Crucial role as they have to manually select and inject sperm
Cost Factor	Slightly lower than ICSI	Generally higher due to advanced techniques and lab work

What are the Signs When Both of Them Are Recommended?

Not every person is a good candidate for every fertility procedure. The underlying reason for infertility, prior treatment history, and sperm quality are some of the criteria that influence the decision between IVF and ICSI. Here are the recommended signs to go for one of these processes:

IVF is Recommended for:

• Women with damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
• Couples whose infertility cannot be explained
• Moderate male factor infertility cases.

ICSI is Recommended for:

• Male with severe infertility, such as low sperm count, motility, or aberrant morphology
• Prior unsuccessful attempts at traditional IVF fertilisation
• While utilising sperm that has been frozen or surgically extracted.

Are There Any Risk Invovled in ICSI or IVF?

You may be wondering which one is less hazardous, IVF or ICSI, or both. Let me then tell you that this entire process is carried out by skilled professionals using safe, cutting-edge methods and high-end technology. Both IVF and ICSI are currently being used by thousands of couples to build their family.

The risk of this treatment is really low, say 4–5%, but it's not like they're 100% safe or have a 100% success rate. So what are the dangers?

Multiple births, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, miscarriage, stress, ectopic pregnancy, birth deformities, anomalies of the second chromosome, and the possibility of future infertility problems for the male kid are some of the problems that may occur. But if you get treated at the right fertility centre, you can avoid all this!

Final Words

Ultimately, the decision to choose between IVF and ICSI majorly depends on your particular fertility issue. While ICSI is the best option for treating severe male infertility, IVF is a fantastic initial option because it mimics natural fertilisation.

Making an informed choice is essential if you're thinking about undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment. You may pick the finest course for your fertility journey with the correct advice. You can consult with expert doctors at Crysta IVF as it provides the first consultation FREE* of cost.

Remember, you are not alone! We are here to listen and solve your infertility problems.