IVF and ICSI

In our IVF department, we specialise in IVF and ICSI.

Learn more about the differences and similarities between these two treatment methods.

We are happy to advise you on which treatment is best for you.

Book a free consultation about IVF or ICSI here

 

Personalised treatment

We tailor each course of treatment to suit your specific situation.

 

No waiting list

Book a consultation today and get started with the treatment programme immediately.

 

Fertility clinic for everyone

We help single women, heterosexuals, lesbians and transgender couples grow their families.

 

High success rate

We are proud of our excellent success rates for IVF and ICSI treatments.

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a widely used fertility treatment that helps couples achieve pregnancy when natural conception is not possible.

During IVF, the woman’s eggs are collected and fertilised with sperm from either a partner or donor in a laboratory, where they meet in a petri dish.

The fertilised eggs develop into blastocysts over five to six days, after which our experienced embryologists select the best blastocyst for transfer to the woman’s uterus. Any remaining quality blastocysts can be frozen for future use.

IVF is often recommended in the following cases:

  • Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
  • Unexplained infertility
  • Ovulation issues
  • If you fail to get pregnant after insemination
  • Women in older age groups
  • Low egg reserve
  • Reduced sperm quality
Embyologist, Helle from Diers Fertility looking at sperm cells in a microscope

What is ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), also known as microinsemination, is an advanced form of IVF where a single sperm cell is selected and gently injected directly into the egg using a microscopic needle.

This technique increases the chances of fertilisation, particularly in cases of male infertility.

ICSI is often used in the following cases:

  • Very low sperm count after sperm purification,
  • Poor sperm motility,
  • High proportion of abnormal sperm cells,
  • Absence of sperm in the ejaculate, requiring sperm retrieval from the testicles or epididymis (TESA/PESA)
  • Few fertilised eggs in previous IVF treatments

The course of treatment for IVF and ICSI

The first step is always to book an initial consultation with our IVF/ICSI department. Book a consultation here.

Before starting treatment, you’ll need to complete some preliminary tests and examinations. If you live abroad, these can be carried out in your home country, and the results sent to us. Discover more about tests and examinations here.

Once we have received your test results, you will be scheduled for a consultation with one of our fertility doctors.

If you require a sperm donor for your treatment, one will need to be selected and ordered. We are here to guide and support you through your options. Get insights on finding a sperm donor.

To prepare for egg retrieval, you will begin hormone therapy. We will instruct you on how to administer the hormones.

Your progress must be monitored with a couple of ultrasound scans to assess the effects of hormone treatment and schedule the egg retrieval. If you live outside Denmark, you can have the ultrasound scans performed in your home country and send the results to us. On the day of retrieval, our embryologists will fertilise the mature eggs in our laboratory. Access more details about egg retrieval.

We carefully monitor the development of the fertilised eggs in the laboratory. Once an egg reaches the blastocyst stage (5–6 days), it can be transferred to your uterus.

Understand more about the embryo transfer process.

After the fertilised egg is transferred to your uterus, we will guide you on the medication to take until your pregnancy test.

Ten days after the embryo transfer, we’ll check your HCG levels with a blood test to find out if the treatment has been successful. We’ll be here to support you, whatever the result.

The difference between IVF and ICSI

In both IVF and ICSI, fertilisation—when the sperm meets the egg—takes place outside the body in a laboratory.

The key difference is the level of assistance provided to the sperm:

IVF: Thousands of sperm cells are mixed with the eggs and left to fertilise naturally in a petri dish.

ICSI: A single sperm cell is directly injected into each egg under a microscope by the embryologist.

Apart from the fertilisation process, the treatment steps for IVF and ICSI are the same.

Which treatment is right for you?

The choice between IVF and ICSI depends on your individual circumstances and fertility challenges.

Our specialists will review your fertility test results, medical history, and provide personalised advice on the best treatment option for you.

We create tailored treatment plans to give you the best chance of achieving pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions about IVF and ICSI

In Denmark, fertility treatment, including IVF, is allowed up to the woman’s 46th birthday.

The difference lies in the fertilisation process:

  • IVF: Thousands of sperm cells are added to the egg(s) in a petri dish, where they must naturally find, penetrate and fertilise the egg(s).
  • ICSI: A single sperm cell is directly injected into each egg by the embryologist.

The choice depends on your fertility challenges, and in some cases, you can decide which treatment method you prefer. Our specialists will guide you to the best option based on your individual needs.

ICSI is primarily recommended in cases of significantly reduced sperm quality.

If good sperm quality is used, the average chance of pregnancy with IVF is roughly the same as with ICSI. However, if sperm quality is poor, ICSI offers a higher chance of pregnancy compared to IVF.

Do you have questions about IVF or ICSI treatment?
Send us a message – or contact us here