IVF & ICSI

IVF and ICSI may be considered by people who are experiencing difficulty conceiving naturally or who require assisted reproductive treatment for a specific fertility condition.

Thailand offers specialist reproductive-medicine physicians, embryology laboratories and fertility centres providing assessment, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation and embryo transfer for eligible international patients.

Siam Medica can help you explore suitable fertility providers and specialists, request personalised treatment plans and cost estimates, and coordinate your care before, during and after treatment in Thailand.

What is IVF?

IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, is a fertility treatment in which eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.

If fertilisation is successful, the resulting embryos are monitored as they develop before a selected embryo is transferred into the uterus.

Additional suitable embryos may sometimes be frozen for possible future use.

One IVF cycle involves several stages and commonly takes several weeks from the beginning of treatment through embryo transfer and pregnancy testing.

What is ICSI?

ICSI stands for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

It is a fertilisation technique performed as part of an IVF cycle. Instead of placing eggs and sperm together and allowing fertilisation to occur, an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into an egg.

ICSI may be considered when there are significant sperm-related fertility problems, when sperm has been surgically retrieved, or when previous IVF treatment has resulted in poor or failed fertilisation.

ICSI is not automatically a better option than conventional IVF for every patient. The fertility specialist should recommend the fertilisation method according to the individual diagnosis.

Who may be considered for IVF or ICSI?

IVF may be considered for a range of fertility problems, including:

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes

• Ovulation problems

• Unexplained infertility

• Male-factor infertility

• Fertility that has not improved with less invasive treatment

• Certain age-related fertility concerns

• Other reproductive conditions identified during specialist assessment

ICSI is particularly relevant where sperm count, movement or morphology is significantly affected or where sperm needs to be surgically retrieved.

Treatment suitability depends on the medical history and circumstances of both partners.

Fertility assessment

Before treatment begins, both partners may require fertility assessment.

This can include:

• Medical and reproductive history

• Blood and hormone tests

• Ultrasound examination

• Assessment of ovarian reserve

• Semen analysis

• Screening tests

• Review of previous fertility treatment

• Additional investigations where medically indicated

The fertility specialist then develops a treatment plan based on the results and the couple’s individual circumstances.

For international patients, previous fertility records and test results can often be shared before travelling to Thailand for preliminary review.

Ovarian stimulation

IVF treatment usually begins with medication to stimulate the ovaries so that several eggs can develop during the same cycle.

Patients are monitored during this period using ultrasound examinations and sometimes blood tests.

Ovarian stimulation commonly lasts around 8–14 days, although the exact protocol varies between patients.

When the follicles have developed sufficiently, medication is given to prepare the eggs for retrieval.

Egg retrieval

Egg retrieval is normally performed using ultrasound guidance.

A thin needle is passed through the vaginal wall to collect eggs from the ovaries.

Sedation or anaesthesia is generally used during the procedure.

Some soreness, cramping or light spotting may occur afterwards, and patients are monitored before leaving the fertility centre.

Fertilisation and embryo development

After egg retrieval, the eggs are taken to the embryology laboratory.

With conventional IVF, eggs and sperm are placed together to allow fertilisation.

With ICSI, an embryologist injects one selected sperm directly into each suitable mature egg.

Fertilised eggs are then monitored as embryos develop in the laboratory over the following days.

The fertility team assesses embryo development before deciding which embryo may be suitable for transfer or freezing.

Embryo transfer

Embryo transfer places a selected embryo into the uterus through a thin catheter.

The procedure usually does not require general anaesthesia.

Depending on the treatment plan, transfer may take place within several days of egg retrieval or embryos may be frozen and transferred during a later cycle.

The fertility specialist will advise which approach is most appropriate.

A pregnancy test is normally performed after the transfer at the time recommended by the fertility team.

How long does IVF treatment take?

The timeline varies according to the treatment protocol and whether a fresh or frozen embryo transfer is planned.

Ovarian stimulation, monitoring, egg retrieval, fertilisation and fresh embryo transfer may take approximately two to three weeks.

The complete IVF cycle, including preparation and pregnancy testing, can take longer.

Frozen embryo transfer, genetic testing or additional treatment may require a separate visit or a longer overall treatment schedule.

International patients should confirm the expected timeline before booking travel because treatment must be coordinated closely with the menstrual cycle and response to medication.

Success rates and individual factors

IVF success cannot be predicted from a single general success rate.

The chance of pregnancy and live birth depends on factors including:

• Age

• Egg quantity and quality

• Sperm quality

• Cause of infertility

• Embryo development

• Previous fertility history

• General reproductive health

Success rates should therefore be discussed with the fertility specialist based on the patient’s individual circumstances rather than relying on a clinic-wide headline figure.

Risks and considerations

Fertility treatment is generally considered safe, but IVF and ICSI involve potential risks.

These can include:

• Side effects from fertility medication

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

• Bleeding or infection following egg retrieval

• Multiple pregnancy if more than one embryo is transferred

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Treatment cycle cancellation

• Failure of eggs to fertilise or embryos to develop

• Failure of embryo implantation

• Emotional and physical stress associated with treatment

ICSI also involves a small risk of damage to eggs during the injection process.

The fertility specialist should explain the expected benefits, limitations and potential risks before treatment begins.

IVF & ICSI costs in Thailand

The cost of IVF or ICSI in Thailand varies according to the treatment protocol and services required.

Factors affecting the total cost can include:

• Fertility consultations and testing

• Ovarian-stimulation medication

• Monitoring and ultrasound examinations

• Egg retrieval

• IVF or ICSI laboratory procedures

• Embryo culture

• Embryo transfer

• Embryo freezing and storage

• Genetic testing where medically indicated

• Additional fertility procedures

More complex treatment involving genetic testing, frozen embryo transfer or additional laboratory procedures can cost more than a standard cycle.

Siam Medica can request personalised treatment plans and cost estimates from suitable fertility providers based on your medical and reproductive information.

How Siam Medica can help

We can help you:

• Identify suitable fertility providers and reproductive-medicine specialists

• Share fertility records and test results with providers

• Confirm preliminary eligibility and documentation requirements

• Request personalised treatment plans and cost estimates

• Compare available treatment options

• Coordinate consultations and treatment appointments

• Assist with treatment timelines and travel planning

• Support communication with your provider before, during and after treatment

Our support is free for patients, and Siam Medica is independent of any single hospital or clinic.