Struggling to start a family? You are not alone. Over 27.5 million couples in India are unable to conceive in a natural way, and almost 50% of these are due to issues with male fertility. This surprises a lot of couples, as fertility issues are widely considered as women-centric problems. While IVF has become increasingly popular among couples struggling to conceive, male fertility issues can significantly affect the success rate of such assisted reproductive procedures. The good news is that fertility specialists have found a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment that increases the rate of fertilisation and live births in cases where male fertility is the issue.
Read on to learn about factors that affect ICSI procedure costs in India.
What is ICSI Treatment?
This is an assistive technique to help couples struggling with male fertility issues to conceive. It helps men with low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm motility.
The ICSI treatment involves directly injecting the sperm into the egg for fertilisation. The healthiest sperm is handpicked from the semen and artificially injected into the egg. ICSI is essentially an additional step in the in-vitro fertilisation process. While IVF is a more ‘natural’ approach that allows the best sperm to fertilise the egg in the vicinity, ICSI in-vitro fertilisation is a more targeted approach. Your fertility consultant may advise an ICSI-IVF after diagnosing the underlying causes of the issues with male fertility.
Factors Affecting the Cost of ICSI Treatment
The key to estimating the ICSI procedure cost is understanding all the factors involved.
Geographic Location of the Clinic
ICSI procedure costs may differ depending on the location of the clinic. Teir 1 cities typically have larger clinics, with state-of-the-art technology. Moreover, they attract the most experienced specialists. These factors can result in higher costs. On the other hand, patients in Teir 2 and 3 cities may have to travel to a clinic of their choice. This adds to the total expenses of ICSI treatment.
Success Rate of the Clinic
Clinics that have higher success rates (75% and above) may cost more. This is because their success rate is driven by better embryo care and pre-natal facilities. Moreover, they handpick the finest fertility experts, embryologists and diagnosticians, to build a team that diligently assesses your condition, monitors your status and supports your journey to parenthood.
Accreditation
Licensing and accreditation require clinics to comply with ICMR regulations. They also must be certified by ISO and licensed to carry out IVF and associated procedures. Since ICSI is often a step in IVF, the cost of both can rise.
Diagnostic Procedures
The pre-treatment tests that may be required adds to ICSI procedure costs. They may also conduct pre-implantation genetic testing to identify genetic anomalies or complications. These help fertility specialists to identify the best course of treatment.
Initial Consultation and Treatment Fee
Your fertility expert will usually put you on stimulation medication, hormonal therapies or injections to improve fertility. When calculating the ISCI and IVF cost, you must consider the expenses of initial consultation and follow-ups.
ICSI Procedure Costs
Embryologists maintain eggs, semen, sperm, and embryos in the most suitable environment in terms of temperature, light, and fluid quality. They consistently monitor these to prevent any deterioration in quality. These are specialised professionals. Therefore, laboratory and embryology constitute a significant part of the ICSI procedure costs. Additional procedures, such as embryo freezing and assisted hatching, may be necessary. The cost of these must also be considered.
Sperm and Egg Quality
As fertility declines with age, couples over 35 years may require multiple cycles and more supportive treatment. These may also be necessary for severe conditions that could have caused infertility, such as severe teratozoospermia and PCOS. The cost of IVF and ICSI increases with every cycle. Depending on the number of cycles expected, your fertility clinic may suggest package deals to lower the overall financial burden.
Follow-Up Care
Note that ICSI and IVF is only the first step. Specialists ensure that you or your partner is able to carry the baby to term for a natural birth. At times, this may not be possible due to some complication. In such cases, you may consider surrogacy as an option. These require follow-up consultation and post-treatment care.
The cost of monitoring the baby to ensure healthy growth in the womb and, of course, of delivery must also be considered.
Insurance and Financing Options for ICSI Treatment
Don’t let cost concerns prevent you from experiencing the joy of parenthood. There are several reputed insurance companies that cover a portion of fertility treatment under healthcare insurance. Some insurers also offer top-up plans to manage pregnancy care, which you can add after implantation to get some financial support.
Your fertility clinic’s financial advisory team may also assist you in planning the cost and choosing the most suitable instalment plans.
Joy Beyond Measure
While it is essential to consider ICSI procedure costs, what is more important is to have experienced fertility specialists with knowledge of the latest techniques and leveraging cutting-edge tools taking care of you. This makes it important to choose a reputed clinic, like Oasis Fertility, which has experienced embryologists and diagnosticians to improve success rates. You can search for an Oasis Fertility clinic near you. You can access the live chat right here or call us on 1800-3001-1000 for immediate assistance.
FAQs on ICSI Treatment
Q: Which is cheaper, IVF or ICSI?
A: ICSI is usually a bit more expensive than regular IVF. This is because ICSI involves an extra step where the healthiest sperm is chosen and directly injected into the egg. It requires skilled specialists and special lab conditions, which adds to the cost. However, many clinics offer package deals for multiple cycles, which can help make the treatment more affordable.
Q: What is the total cost of ICSI treatment in India?
A: The cost of ICSI treatment in India can vary quite a bit. It depends on factors like the location of the clinic, its success rate, and the tests or treatments needed. Clinics in bigger cities tend to charge more due to advanced technology and experienced doctors. Other costs to keep in mind include diagnostic tests, medications, embryo freezing, and follow-up care. Couples might need more than one cycle, especially those over 35 or with severe fertility issues. Some clinics offer packages to help with the costs, and you can also explore insurance or payment plans.
Q: Is ICSI more successful than IVF?
A: Yes, ICSI is often more successful than regular IVF, especially if male fertility issues are involved, like low sperm count or poor sperm quality. Since ICSI involves directly injecting a sperm into the egg, it improves the chances of fertilisation. Clinics with high success rates usually have advanced technology and experienced specialists, which can further increase the chances of success. While IVF allows for sperm to naturally fertilise the egg, ICSI gives more control, making it a better option for certain couples.