Fertility Treatments
ICSI
ICSI is a well established advanced IVF technique that gives couples facing male infertility the best chance of creating embryos and building their families.
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What is ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an advanced IVF lab technique in which a single sperm is selected and carefully injected directly into the centre of an egg. By bypassing natural barriers to fertilisation, ICSI is one of the most effective treatments for male infertility.
Globally, ICSI is widely used – often when sperm quality, movement or count may affect fertilisation – and has consistently strong success rates.
Who is ICSI suitable for?
ICSI may be recommended if there are challenges related to sperm quality, quantity, or motility. Around half of infertility cases involve sperm-related factors, making ICSI an important option for many couples.
It can also be used when:
- Previous IVF cycles have not resulted in fertilisation.
- Sperm need to be retrieved surgically due to obstruction or other rare conditions.
- Couples wish to maximise the chances of fertilisation in any IVF cycle.
Your fertility specialist will discuss whether ICSI is suitable for your individual situation, and in some cases, the decision may be made on the day of egg collection depending on sperm quality.
How Does ICSI Work?
ICSI is essentially an IVF cycle, with one key difference — in the lab, a single sperm is carefully injected into each egg to help fertilisation. Here are the initial steps:
Fertility medications encourage the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.
Eggs are retrieved via a short outpatient procedure.
Using a high-powered microscope and an ultra-fine needle, a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. Our embryologists carefully observe and select the most progressive and motile sperm for injection.
Fertilised eggs are carefully observed as they develop into embryos.
The healthiest embryo(s) are transferred into the uterus, with any additional viable embryos frozen for future use.
This precise and controlled process maximises the chances of fertilisation and a successful pregnancy.
ICSI Success in Numbers
Over 70% fertilisation rate with ICSI treatment
Since 2004, our expert teams have performed over 16,000 ICSI cycles, helping thousands of patients build their families.
Between 2022–2025, our embryologists injected 21,667 eggs using ICSI, achieving a fertilisation rate of over 70%. Fertilisation rates with ICSI are typically around 70–75%, making it one of the most reliable treatments for male infertility.
Our teams use advanced techniques and careful monitoring to maximise outcomes for every patient.
WHO WE TREAT:
- 90% of ICSI patients are heterosexual couples.
Of these, around 4% used PESA/TESE sperm samples (fresh or frozen)
SUCCESS BY AGE GROUP AFTER THREE TRANSFERS*:
- Under 38: 56% live birth rate
- 38 and over: 22% live birth rate
- All ages combined: 44% live birth rate
Want to learn more? You can explore our success rates page to see the latest outcomes.
*Harley Street, 2022–2024, after three transfers from a single egg collection
How Surgical Sperm Retrieval Supports ICSI Treatment
In rare cases where sperm cannot be ejaculated naturally, it is often possible to retrieve sperm surgically:
- Needle Aspiration: Extracting sperm directly from the testes or epididymis.
- Testicular Biopsy: Examining a small tissue sample for viable sperm cells.
Any sperm retrieved through these methods can then be used with ICSI to fertilise eggs, giving couples who might otherwise face limited options the opportunity to conceive.
ICSI Risks and Considerations
ICSI has been used worldwide for more than 30 years and follow up studies on children born continue to be very reassuring. Your fertility specialist can discuss any potential risks in detail, ensuring you are fully informed and supported in your decision-making.
How much does ICSI Cost?
Understanding the costs involved is an important step when considering ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). We aim to provide clear, transparent pricing so you know what to expect from the start.
For a full breakdown of costs and what’s included in our ICSI treatment plans, please get in touch with our team.
ICSI Prices
Costs start from
ICSI Package (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) £1,450.00
PICSI Package (Physiological ICSI) £1,450.00
See what our ICSI patients have to say
‘Everyone my partner and I have interacted with at the Oxford clinic has been warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They’ve really helped make a very daunting process easier to go through and I’m very glad we chose this clinic!’
Jess Palmer
5 November 2026, LWC Oxford
‘Very friendly staff and a lovely inclusive environment, had a wonderful experience here. Highly recommend for anyone looking at fertility preservation.’
T Ilagan
5 November 2026, LWC Oxford
‘As an LGBTQ couple we found LWC Colchester incredibly supportive, no question was too much. They were friendly and welcoming, with modern facilities, and made your journey feel very personalised. We would highly recommend them for your fertility journey.’
Jasmine Colman
5 November 2026, LWC Colchester
‘A massive thank you to Dom and Dr Vasquez for all of their help throughout the process!’
James Purcell
5 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells
‘Me and my husband can’t thank everyone at London Women’s Clinic enough for all the care and support throughout our recent treatment. Everything went really well, and we are so grateful to all the doctors and the entire team for looking after me. A special thank you to Mimi, Dr Barbara, Caroline, Trina and Elena from Embryology team and the Theatre Team - Rose, Martin and Amy F. Everyone was so kind, helpful and reassuring, and it really made a difference. Thank you all for everything. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️’
IsadelandCyril
4 November 2026, LWC Harley Street
‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️<br><br>A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey.<br><br>We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process.<br><br>IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier.<br><br>Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey.<br><br>Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’
Alexandru Predescu
3 November 2026, LWC Harrow
‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️<br><br>A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey.<br><br>We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process.<br><br>IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier.<br><br>Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey.<br><br>Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’
Mihaela-Clemansa Predescu
3 November 2026, LWC Harrow
‘Simply Brilliant .’
Ramachandran Jeyamohan
3 November 2026, LWC Colchester
‘I feel so blessed and grateful to have been under the lovely nurse Katie and Dr Kovats’s care. Everyone I encountered in the clinic on or off line was friendly, reassuring, thoughtful, and patient with me.<br><br>I could feel the genuine care from Katie and Dr Kovats. I feel very reassured knowing they'd be there with me every step of the way; it is a great relief to have medical professionals like them on my side. They listened attentively, were reassuring, explained what I need to know thoroughly and were very approachable.<br><br>Thank you to Carina, the friendly clinic coordinator, for always answering my emails promptly and being so helpful with all the questions I threw at her.<br><br>Also, to the lovely staff member with blonde hair (I’m so sorry I forgot your name!) who did the ultrasound scan, thank you for being so attentive and making me feel relaxed.<br><br>The clinic has a calm, relaxing vibe and is very clean.<br><br>I have had a wonderful experience with the clinic and would highly recommend the team to anyone on their fertility journey!’
T Yang
3 November 2026, LWC Brentwood
‘We have used London Women's Clinic twice in the last two years for successful egg retrieval and two subsequent frozen embryo transfers. We have always been met with care, compassion and a personal approach. Every step from the initial consultation right through to the 7 week scan has been professional and polite, always accommodating our needs and timings. We can't thank the team enough for giving us such support towards creating our family.’
Lucy Richards
2 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells
‘Myself and my husband owe it all to london womens clinic, they were amazing from start to finish. We previously were under another clinic and decided to make the change due to many reasons and we are so glad we did. They treat everyone as individuals, not everyones fertility journeys are the same. The small team at Colchester make it so personable not to mention how amazing all 4 women are that work here, their knowledge empathy and listening skills simply cannot be found at any other clinic. The list goes on as to why I would recommend LWC but everyone likes a to the point review. They genuinely care they dont treat you like a number and they help you through every hurdle that occurs. Our little boy wouldn't be possible without these 4, each of them play a bigger part than they realise. 💙’
Ellen Turrell
2 November 2026, LWC Colchester
‘Wonderful punch of people, caring, competent, and efficient in all they do. It feels we are all in a mission together and they are invested in the success of our pregnancy. Thank k you 🙏’
Yasmine Mora
30 October 2026, LWC London Bridge
‘I couldn’t speak more highly of the London Women’s Clinic Oxford! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with such a warm welcome. The reception area is bright and welcoming and the receptionist is lovely. All of the staff are so friendly, helpful and polite.<br><br>Going through this journey can be emotional, so having such a wonderful supportive, caring clinic to visit makes all the difference. Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and looked after.<br><br>I feel so lucky to have such a lovely team supporting me along the way. Thank you all! 🍀💗’
Louise
30 October 2026, LWC Oxford
‘Incredible service and professionals. They made me feel comfortable and safe the entire journey. Thank you!’
Luciana Lombardi
30 October 2026, LWC Cambridge
‘I had an absolutely amazing experience at LWC from start to finish! There are literally no wait times so we were able to get started pretty much straight away after consultation. The process was seamless, with a lot of flexibility if you need to change appt time. Nurses are amazing and so supportive. Special shout out to Kate and Chris who were so kind and made the whole experience so much better. Also the nurses on the ward were absolutely amazing but I can’t remember their names. I’m now discharged as I’m pregnant from my first try! However I will look forward to returning in the future for my second embryo which is currently frozen 😊’
Kathryn Jessica
27 October 2026, LWC Bromley
‘We we under the care of Canterbury LWC for all scans and blood tests and Bromley for egg collection and transfers. The team and Canterbury were particularly amazing, so supportive and reassuring throughout. No question was ever too much, they treated you as individuals and were caring and compassionate throughout the process. The receptionist were lovely, knew you from the offset by name, remembered you which makes a difficult process so much easier when you are treated as an individual.<br>We were NHS funded and I never felt we were treated any different to private patients.<br>The nursing staff at Bromley were also brilliant, I always felt so looked after through some really tough and emotional procedures. We were under the care of Dr Uppal who was excellent, explained everything clearly, gave us options and listened to our concerns.<br>Would highly recommend. Currently 26 weeks pregnant ☺️’
Rose S
25 October 2026, LWC Canterbury
‘We are incredibly grateful to London Women’s Clinic, Harrow, for helping make our dream of becoming parents come true. We are now blessed with a beautiful baby!<br><br>A special thank you to Dr Gill for the care, guidance and support throughout our IVF journey, and to Carla and Maria for making the entire process smooth and reassuring.<br><br>We had a wonderful experience and will always be thankful to the whole team. Highly recommend! ❤️’
P S
23 October 2026, LWC Harrow
‘LWC are fantastically supportive at every stage of your journey. They try to be as flexible as possible with appointments, giving good advice about supporting yourself (and partners) as you prepare for different procedures. It is a tough journey but Louise, Rute, Dr Arthi, Trianni, Dr Bishista and Ashley are incredibly supportive. Highly recommend them to anyone considering or needing fertility support.’
S W
23 October 2026, LWC Cambridge
‘I honestly cannot fault Kind IVF. From start to finish, I have been so incredibly impressed with the care, compassion and professionalism shown by the entire team. Going through IVF can be such an emotional and overwhelming journey, but they have made the whole experience feel so much more reassuring and positive.<br><br>Every step of the way, I have felt cared for, listened to and supported. The team have been amazing at answering questions, putting my mind at ease and making sure I felt comfortable throughout the process. You can really tell how much they care about their patients, and that makes such a huge difference during a journey that can be so personal and emotional.<br><br>I am so grateful to everyone at Kind IVF for everything they have done for us. Choosing them has been one of the best decisions we have made, and I genuinely couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone considering IVF. The standard of care has been outstanding, and I cannot thank them enough for helping us on this journey. ❤️<br><br>Thank you, Kind IVF, for being so amazing!’
Georgia Burt
22 October 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells
‘I highly recommend the London Women's Clinic Brentwood. The staff were very supportive, patient, and always available to answer questions. They guided me through an emotional process with clear explanations and genuine care. The staff were always available and happy to help.’
S Begum
21 October 2026, LWC Brentwood
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FAQs about ICSI
Not always. ICSI is recommended based on your medical history, sperm quality, and previous treatment outcomes. Your fertility specialist will create a personalised plan.
Yes. ICSI has a very strong safety record. Your specialist can explain any potential risks specific to your situation.
ICSI is particularly effective for male infertility, offering higher fertilisation rates than conventional IVF in these cases.
ICSI Treatment at London Women’s Clinic
ICSI maximises the chance of fertilisation when traditional IVF may not be enough. Our team combines decades of expertise with cutting-edge laboratory technology to provide:
Ready to take the first step?
Take the first step towards your fertility journey. Book your fertility health assessment today to discuss whether ICSI is the right treatment for you.
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ICSI Stories, Advice and Research
Explore expert insights, personal stories and the latest research to guide you through every step of your journey.
PGT-A and embryo screening: Who it may suit and what to consider
PGT-A is an optional test that may help some people having IVF understand more about the chromosomal status of their embryos before deciding which to transfer. It can be useful in certain circumstances, and has been shown to reduce the risk of miscarriage, but it isn’t suitable or necessary for everyone.
Reciprocal IVF and shared motherhood in the UK
Reciprocal IVF is a fertility treatment that allows both partners to have a biological or physical role in creating and carrying a pregnancy. One partner provides the eggs, which are fertilised with donor sperm through IVF, while the other partner carries the resulting embryo and gives birth.
Frozen at 18, a mother at 44: Kassandra Bacon's 25-year journey
In 2001, aged 18 and facing cancer treatment, Kassandra Bacon had a slice of her ovarian tissue frozen. No one knew if it would ever work. Twenty-five years later, she’s a mother. Here’s her story, what it means for fertility preservation, and how it differs from egg freezing.