Is ICSI a must for frozen sperm?

[konna]

Our clinic didn't give us a choice without the ICSI and said this is the way they do it for donor sperm. Just wondering is this a must? Can we not use frozen sperm on the theory that in nature the best sperm will find its way?

ICSI may have a higher percentage of successful rate, but it also have a risk in damaging the egg?

 

[Rags]

I conceived by IUI using frozen sperm, the clinic thawed it out when I arrived and inseminated. It is very common for people doing at home insemination to have frozen sperm delivered and to self inseminate. I am guessing that your clinics policy is based on their best success rates and possibly any test results they have for you. Good luck.

 

[Nimyra]

ICSI shouldn't be necessary, but IUI really is. Frozen/thawed sperm is not very hardy and the success rate for ICI (what you could do at home) is something like 3% per month last I read (granted that was years ago). With IUI the success rate is closer to 15% per month assuming no other fertility challenges.

If the frozen sperm is from a partner/friend (as opposed to a bank) the success rate might be lower, requiring more intervention. Apparently some people's sperm survives the freezing/thawing better than others which is something the sperm banks screen for.