By Deborah Bamisaye
Infertility has been described as one of the great mysteries of our age, often causing frustration, confusion and despair, despite seeming like a natural biological process.
The aim of these series is to help thousands heal their ailing reproductive health by identifying physical and hidden causes of infertility and reproductive issues.
We continue to emphasize the need to revitalize the reproductive system through specific healing foods, advice on avoiding antifertility foods and chemicals, as well as using meditations and medical experts for fertility without omitting the God factor as emphasized in one of our drama series.
This is the seventh edition and we would love to proceed in this journey from where we stopped.
We started the last edition by exploring ‘Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).’ Types of ART that addresses infertility include: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT), Artificial Insemination (AI), Surrogacy, Cryopreservation (Freezing of Eggs, Sperm, or Embryos.)
The aim of all these is to know & see what options are available to assist with fertility. We did consider IVF and we will be looking at what one can do if this fails before we dive deeper into the topic.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a highly effective assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to treat infertility by combining eggs and sperm in a laboratory. But what happens when IVF fails?
Options After Failed IVF
A single failed IVF cycle is common, and many couples have success on subsequent attempts. Options for patients after a failed cycle include:
1. Review and Adjustment: Consult with a specialist to review the cycle, identify potential issues, and adjust the treatment plan (e.g., different medications, lab techniques like ICSI or assisted hatching).
2. Repeated Cycles: Trying additional IVF cycles using existing frozen embryos or starting a new retrieval cycle.
3. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): Testing embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer in the next cycle can help select the most viable embryos and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
4. Donor Eggs, Sperm, or Embryos: For women with low ovarian reserve or poor egg quality, using a donor egg from a younger woman can significantly improve success rates. Donor sperm or embryos are also options depending on the cause of infertility.
5. Gestational Carrier/Surrogacy: If uterine issues prevent a woman from carrying a pregnancy, a gestational carrier can be used to carry the baby.
6. Alternative Family Building: Exploring options outside of ART, such as adoption is also an available option.
Next to be considered is:
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) – ICSI is a laboratory procedure where a single healthy sperm is directly injected into the center of a mature egg using a microscopic needle.
This bypasses the natural barriers that may prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg on its own.
It is not a standalone treatment – ICSI is done as part of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization).
Why is ICSI done?
ICSI is mainly used when there is a male-factor fertility problem or previous fertilization failure.
Common Reasons include:
a. Very low sperm count.
b. Poor sperm movement (low motility.)
c. Abnormally shaped sperm.
d. Blockage preventing sperm release.
e. Sperm retrieved surgically from the testes.
f. Previous IVF cycles where fertilization failed.
e. Presence of anti-sperm antibodies.
How is ICSI different from regular IVF?
1. Regular IVF: Many sperm are placed around an egg and fertilization happens naturally.
2. ICSI: One sperm is manually injected into the egg.
ICSI Vs IVF
ICSI overcomes sperm-related barriers, while IVF depends on sperm performance.
Success Rate of ICSI
– Fertilization rates per egg are often 70–85%
– Pregnancy success depends on:
· ° Woman’s age
· ° Egg quality
· ° Embryo quality
· ° Uterine health
ICSI improves fertilization, but it does not guarantee pregnancy.
The Question is: How Safe is ICSI?
ICSI is safe, it has been used worldwide for over 30 years and has resulted in millions of healthy births.
Who Benefits Most from ICSI?
1. Couples with severe male infertility.
2. Couples with repeated IVF fertilization failure.
3. Couples using frozen sperm or surgically retrieved sperm.
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