Fertility treatment can be a deeply personal and emotional journey, particularly when male infertility factors are part of the picture. At Kind iVF, we recognise how important it is to feel informed, supported and empowered at every stage. One of the most effective treatments for sperm-related fertility challenges is ICSI or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. But what is ICSI and how does it work?

What is ICSI Treatment?

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a specialised fertility procedure designed to support fertilisation by IVF when sperm quality is very low or standard IVf is unlikely to succeed for other reasons. While traditional IVF relies on sperm and egg meeting in a petri dish, ICSI involves selecting a single sperm and injecting it directly into the egg using a microscopic glass pipette finer than a human hair.

Learn more about the difference between IVF and ICSI.

IVF with the ICSI Procedure Step by Step

If ICSI is the right option for you, your treatment journey will look almost identical to our standard Kind iVF pathway.

Here’s how an IVF cycle using the ICSI procedure unfolds:

1. Ovarian stimulation – Fertility medications help stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
2. Monitoring and egg collection – Your care team closely tracks follicle development before retrieving mature eggs under sedation.
3. Sperm selection – Our expert embryologists select a single healthy-looking sperm.
4. Fertilisation – The selected sperm is injected directly into the egg using a precision pipette.
5. Embryo development – Fertilised eggs are monitored in the lab as they develop into embryos.
6. Embryo transfer – One high-quality embryo is transferred into the uterus for implantation.

If you’re wondering how long after egg retrieval ICSI is done, rest assured that the sperm injection typically happens on the same day, shortly after the eggs are collected and assessed.

ICSI Treatment Cost UK – What You Can Expect

We know that understanding the costs of fertility treatment is a crucial part of planning your journey. At Kind iVF we offer three transparent packages, with the costs bundled together, so there are no hidden surprises along the way.

It is common for ICSI treatment cost in the UK to vary depending on the clinic and what’s included. At Kind iVF, our full IVF with ICSI treatment package is priced at £4,400. This includes everything involved in the ICSI laboratory process, from fertilisation to embryo development, within the context of a standard IVF cycle.

Unfortunately, ICSI isn’t always funded through the NHS, as access depends on local eligibility criteria. Along with this, the latest HFEA report shows that NHS funding for IVF cycles has declined, with the average proportion of NHS-funded IVF treatments dropping from 35% in 2019 to 27% in 2023 across the UK – most notably in England.¹ 

Who Is ICSI Treatment Suitable For?

Every fertility journey is unique, and the decision to use ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is guided by your individual medical profile and circumstances. That is why we take the time to understand your needs before recommending whether ICSI is the right path for you.

Who might benefit from ICSI at Kind iVF?

We offer Kind ICSI to individuals who meet the following criteria, as this gives you the best possible chance of a safe, smooth, and successful treatment cycle:

• Age – Under 37 when you begin your medication
• BMI – 30 or less, which reduces the likelihood of treatment complications
• Ovarian reserve – Within a healthy range, confirmed by a simple blood test

These factors help us ensure your body is well-prepared to respond to stimulation and that the treatment will align with your overall health and fertility goals.

ICSI may also be recommended in situations where the sperm needs extra help reaching and fertilising the egg. This can include²:

• Low sperm motility, poor morphology, or a low sperm count
• Previous fertilisation failure during standard IVF
• Surgically retrieved sperm, which may lack full natural maturity
• Frozen or donor sperm with reduced motility
• Fertilising eggs that have been frozen

During your initial fertility assessment, we’ll conduct a semen analysis for the relevant partner, allowing us to determine whether the ICSI procedure is likely to improve your chances of success.

By offering tailored care and expert insight, our team ensures that every recommendation is grounded in compassion, science, and your personal fertility picture.

ICSI Success Rate and Outcomes

Low or failed fertilisation can feel discouraging, especially after putting so much hope into treatment. If this has happened to you, know that you’re not alone—and there are effective ways forward.

How ICSI helps

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is a specialised IVF technique used for male factor infertility. Instead of relying on the sperm to reach and fertilise the egg on its own, our embryologists carefully inject a single sperm directly into the egg. This increases the chances of fertilisation when sperm numbers or quality are low.

Our results speak for themselves

• ICSI fertilisation rate: 73% (from nearly 650 fresh IVF cycles in 2024)
  
• Ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate per embryo transferred in 2024 for all ages: 34% for ICSI (197/578 and it’s the same for standard IVF at 34% (126/374)
  

These outcomes show that:

• ICSI is highly effective when used for the right patients.
  
• Our embryologists are skilled and experienced, helping to maximise your chances of success.
  
• Using ICSI does not reduce pregnancy rates compared with standard IVF.
  

What this means for you

If you’re experiencing male factor infertility or have had previous fertilisation challenges, ICSI can give your treatment the best possible chance of success – without compromising overall pregnancy outcomes. At Kind iVF, we combine expert care with emotional support, guiding you every step of the way so you feel confident and informed.

For couples with suitable health and fertility profiles, ICSI IVF success rates can be very promising – especially when performed by experienced embryologists like those in our partner team at London Women’s Clinic.

ICSI Risks and Considerations

At Kind iVF, we believe that honest, compassionate guidance is essential to feeling safe and supported throughout your fertility journey. That’s why we openly discuss not only the benefits of each treatment, but also the considerations that come with them.

While ICSI is a well-established and widely used procedure, it’s important to understand potential risks:

• Slightly increased risk of genetic or developmental concerns, particularly where male infertility has a genetic basis. However large, long-term follow up studies have been very reassuring ³
• Risk of failed fertilisation, although lower than with standard IVF in cases of male infertility
• Ovarian hyperstimulation (a general IVF risk, not specific to ICSI)

At Kind iVF, your wellbeing is our priority. Your consultant will walk you through all known risks and help you make an informed decision tailored to your fertility history and goals.

Take the Next Step Towards Your ICSI Journey

If you’re ready to take the next step, book a consultation with our fertility experts to explore your options in a supportive and understanding environment. You can also reach out to our team with any questions—whether online, by phone or in person—and we’ll be happy to guide you.

Or, if you’d like to experience Kind iVF in person, join one of our open day events to meet our team, see our clinics and learn more about how we can support your journey.

References:

¹ Fertility Treatment 2023 trends and figures | HFEA

² Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ICSI | HFEA