Infertility is a significant and common problem. It is the inability of a couple to become pregnant after one year of regular intercourse
without contraception. Approximately 9% of couples throughout the world are infertile with 56% of couples needing treatment.
A study suggests that sperm dysfunction is the most common cause of male infertility. For around half of the couples
who are having problem conceiving, the cause of infertility is sperm related. ICSI Treatment is the most common
and successful male infertility treatment.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI Treatment is a procedure where a single sperm is picked up with a fine glass needle and injected directly into the cytoplasm of the egg to assist fertilisation.
The doctor may recommend ICSI Treatment process for a couple:
The fertility consultation at Medicover includes a discussion with the fertility specialist, followed by a thorough medical examination. An embryologist will explain them the options available to address issues related to sperm.
The female partner needs to visit on day two or three of her menstrual cycle, when hormonal investigations are done along with an ultrasound. The ovaries are stimulated with medication to promote the growth of follicles containing the eggs; this process can last for eight to 12 days. The response of the ovaries (quantity and quality of follicles recruited) is monitored through ultrasounds and blood investigations at regular intervals.
After eight to 12 days of taking the medicine, an injection (trigger) is administered to assist with the final maturation of the egg and loosening of the egg from the follicular wall. The patient must visit the clinic for the egg retrieval process, which will be performed 34-36 hours after the trigger administration. Egg retrieval is performed with ultrasound guidance under mild sedation to make it painless.
On the day of egg collection, the male partner provides a fresh semen sample, which is analysed and processed by an embryologist in the ART lab. In this procedure, sperm processing (post ejaculation) is different. If required, sperm can be extracted from a testicle or epididymis in a separate procedure.
After evaluation in the laboratory, the finest embryos are selected for transfer and depending upon their quality a preferable day is decided for embryo transfer.
Supportive medicines are prescribed after the embryo transfer that help the embryo to implant in the uterus. After the stipulated period, pregnancy tests are conducted to confirm pregnancy.
