For many couples, having a baby, and experiencing the pleasure of turning into mother and father is nothing less than a dream. Several times it has been seen that the lifestyle and genetic factors, frequently results in problems that make conceiving difficult. Today reproductive medicine has advanced to a level that ultra-modern technologies and treatments can help you complete your family, no matter what your problems.

Contrary to popular belief, infertility isnt a womans trouble alone. Improper functioning of the male reproductive system or poor sperm quality can additionally lead to delayed or failed pregnancies. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a procedure which is widely used in male infertility cases and has seen excellent success. Severe male infertility conditions can inhibit herbal conception, however one can get pregnant if they undergo ICSI, since in this procedure the sperm is directly injected into the egg, for fertilization. Once the embryo begins forming, the healthiest one is transferred to the uterus to facilitate conception.

A recent survey conducted by the IVF counsellors of IVI Fertility UAE and Muscat bring forth some questions that couples are looking for solutions to. The IVF counselling team in the three clinics of IVI Fertility collaborated on this research and would be launching an FAQ Digital Book onlinefor patients knowledge and convenience. Few critical questions have been summed up as below:

What leads to infertility in men?

Distorted sperm shape and motility
Low sperm count
Erectile dysfunction
Ejaculation problems
Blocked or coiled tubes in men
Consanguinity (marriage within the family)

What is ICSI? Is it a part of IVF?

Falling under Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), ICSI is an superior procedure. It is considered as a step beyond the IVF. Like the IVF, ICSI also enables fertilization, however the possibilities of conception are higher in this process.

This is generally because in ICSI, the sperm is directly injected into the egg, with the help of a thin needle. With high precision, under a microscope, this step is carried out and is followed by planting the embryo in the womans uterus.

Who is it for?

ICSI is normally suggested to couples if the male partner has infertility conditions. Some of those conditions are mentioned below:

Low or zero sperm count
Low or poor sperm motility
Failures with IVF previously
Ejaculation problems
Erectile dysfunction
Any type of Azoospermia
Varicoceles

Is ICSI the solution to all male infertility problems?

No, ICSI is not the solution to all male infertility problems. But it is helpful if one is struggling from one of the above mentioned male infertility conditions.

How long does it take to complete this procedure?

To complete an IVF treatment, we have to perform different steps: first, we want to prepare the ovaries to collect the eggs and this take 10 to 15 days. Then, the procedure for fertilization is performed using ICSI technique to help the sperms to go inside the egg. After fertilization, the embryos have to develop and divide the cells for 5 to 6 days. Once we have good quality embryos, we prepare the uterus for the implantation. In total, all the process can take between 3 to 6 weeks.

How probably am I to get pregnant after undergoing ICSI?

The success rate of IVF/ICSI is very high, higher than other ART method. It basically relies upon on your and your partners reproductive age and the mans infertility condition. The younger the patient, the higher are her possibilities of conceiving.

IVI Middle East manages ultra-modern clinics in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Muscat, and affords personalized care and support during all stages of IVF/ICSI treatment. The clinics have a success rate of over 70% - the highest in the region.