Conventional IVF fertilization
Eggs and sperm are combined in a lab dish, and fertilization occurs without direct intervention — the traditional approach, appropriate when sperm parameters are normal.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
A single sperm is directly injected into each mature egg — specifically indicated for male-factor infertility (low count or motility), prior fertilization failure with conventional IVF, or when planning genetic testing (PGT) on the resulting embryos.
Why ICSI isn't automatically "better"
For couples without male-factor infertility, some evidence suggests no clear benefit to routine ICSI over conventional IVF — the appropriate technique depends on your specific clinical situation, not a general assumption that more intervention is better.
See colombianivf.com for a proper evaluation of which technique fits your specific case.
The Takeaway
Ask your provider why they recommend ICSI or conventional IVF specifically for your case — the answer should reference your specific clinical factors, not a blanket policy.