Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
"Dr. Ho Ping Ling is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with a focus on fertility, minimally invasive surgery, and holistic women’s care. Passionate about innovation and system redesign, she blends clinical excellence with strategic insight to improve women’s health outcomes and reimagine care that is empathetic, inclusive, and impactful."
+65 9173 6639
| Mon - Fri: | 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm |
| Sat: | 9am to 1pm |
Dr Ho Ping Ling is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist currently practising at Ascensus Health–Mount Alvernia Hospital. She provides evidence-based, patient-centred care across the full spectrum of women’s health, from fertility and subfertility management to pregnancy, delivery, and minimally invasive surgery.
Her approach is grounded in the belief that every woman deserves care that is both clinically sound and personally meaningful. By aligning treatment plans with each patient’s values, goals, and life context, Dr Ho ensures care that is individualised, compassionate, and empowering.
Dr Ho graduated from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) and obtained her Master of Medicine (O&G) in Singapore and MRCOG (UK) in 2016. She previously served as a Physician Faculty Member in the O&G residency programme and as a Clinical Teacher with the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.
For her outstanding contributions, she was honoured with the Singapore Health Quality Service (SHQSA) Star Award in 2025 and the Singhealth Quality Service Gold Award in 2024.
She is passionate about advancing women’s health through innovation, collaboration, and systems-level improvement, believing that women’s health deserves more: more empathy, more innovation, and more impact.
+65 9173 6639
| Mon - Fri: | 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm |
| Sat: | 9am to 1pm |
Endometriosis
Normally tissues that can produce menstrual blood is found only in the cavity of the womb. In endometriosis, these tissues are present elsewhere too in the body, in addition to the womb.These areas would menstruate , producing blood every time when the periods come, which then cause inflammation and scarring.
Endometriosis commonly leads to pain during menses, difficulty to conceive, or chronic pelvic pain etc. Sometimes it can remain silent, and is detected only during medical examination or ultrasound examination.
The regular menstrual blood secreted in the body causes inflammation and pain. The scarring of the neighbouring organs can distort the normal anatomy, causing obstruction eg fallopian tubes. Those present on the ovaries may lead to cyst formation, commonly called chocolate cysts or endometriotic cysts. These changes damage the ovaries, cause pain and lower the fertility rate.
Less commonly, other organs such as the rectum, colon and bladder etc. may be involved too, resulting in significant problems.
The actual prevalence of the disease is unclear, but among 20-30% of infertile women and 30-40% of women with severe pelvic pain may harbor this condition.
The treatment usually involves two approach, depends on the severity of the disease and the symptoms. Medical therapy, usually involving hormonal suppression, is used for milder cases or to supplement surgery. Operation may be need in the presence of big cyst, severe pain etc.
Ovarian Cysts
A cyst simply means a collection of fluid. As most of the tumours formed in the ovary tend to contain fluid, it is commonly and popularly referred to as “ovarian cyst”.
Fortunately, the non-cancerous types are most common, and they can be further classified according to its content and origin eg dermoid cyst (that may contain hairs, oils, bones, tooth etc), endometriotic or chocolate cyst, mucinous cyst etc. The cancerous form tends to occur in the extremes of age, prepubertal or adolescent, and the postmenopausal.
Some cysts, especially bigger ones, produce pain or pressure symptoms eg pressing on the bladder causing difficulty to hold your urine. The pain associated may be intermittent in nature, worsened during menses or occasionally, very severe and acute. The latter happens when the cyst ruptures or undergoes torsion. Torsion of the ovary is an emergency, not only it causes immense pain, but you may lose the entire ovary as the blood supply is disrupted.
It is not uncommon too to have “silent” cyst i.e. one that does not produce any symptoms, and is detected only at some routine gynaecological examination, or health screening. Ultrasound examination is by far the most important and useful tool for the detection of ovarian cyst.
The most important issues are the nature and size of the cyst. Cancerous growth is of course harmful, and urgent treatment is needed.
Non-cancerous cyst tends to cause pain or discomfort when it reaches certain size. If it grows too big, the remaining healthy ovarian tissue may be destroyed. Some non-cancerous cyst may also affect the menses or fertility potential by interfering with ovarian function.
Not all cysts need to be removed. Some of the smaller cysts are simply physiological and will disappear over 6 8 weeks. Some of the cysts are however pathological and will not disappear but tend to grow with time.
The most important thing is to exclude cancer. A detailed medical history, examination, ultrasound and sometimes blood tests are important preliminary steps. Depending on the information gathered, surgery or just monitoring of the cyst may be recommended.
Presently, video-laparoscopic (or keyhole) surgery is the method of choice for removing most non-cancerous cyst. If cancerous growth is strongly suspected, a laparotomy is then necessary, unless the cancer is still in early stage.
Fibroids
Fibroid is a tumour arising from the muscular wall of the womb. It is one of the most common tumours in human and is estimated to be present in about 20-30% of the women.
Depending on the size and location of the fibroids, there may or may not have any symptoms. Common complaints from fibroids are heavy periods, pain, pressure symptoms on the neighbouring when the fibroid is sizeable. Sometimes it can be associated with recurrent miscarriages and difficulty to conceive. Some of the fibroids produce no symptoms and are detected only at ultrasound or routine gynaecological examination.
Not all fibroids need to be treated. Small fibroids that don’t cause any problems are best left alone. Those that are symptomatic, big, or growing in size need treatments.
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment, either removing the fibroids (myomectomy) or the entire womb (hysterectomy), if the condition is severe. Both of the procedures can be performed either through the key hole technique or video laparoscopy, or the traditional open methods, depending on the doctors’ experience and training.
Medical therapy mainly helps in controlling any heavy bleeding but is unable to shrink the fibroids permanently. Recently other treatment methods involving cutting off the blood supply of the fibroids without removing them are also available, and can be performed either laparoscopically or radiologically.
Infertility
Statistically up to 90% of the normal couple with regular sexual activity would have conceived in 1 year. Therefore, it is time to seek medical attention if you and your partner have been having regular, unprotected sex for one year and there is still no pregnancy.
It is however advisable to see a doctor earlier if you are older than 35 years, or do not experience regular monthly periods, or have previous history of pelvic infection or surgery etc.
The top four causes that may contribute to infertility are ovulation disorders, endometriosis, fallopian tubes obstruction, and sperm problems. They may also coexist, which further hamper fertility. There are also other less common causes like cervical factors, systemic illness, sexual dysfunctions etc.
A detailed medical consultation and examination is necessary, to find out the possible underlying reasons for the difficulty to conceive. Blood tests to measure hormones relevant to reproductive functions and pelvic ultrasound are the initial investigations needed.
A semen analysis is also preferred. Depending on the results, further test may be needed to check for the patency of the fallopian tubes and exclude endometriosis. This may involve a minor day surgery procedure, diagnostic laparoscopy and hydrotubation. Alternatively, a special X ray (HSG) or ultrasound can be arranged to test the fallopian tubes.
Treatment methods are highly tailored to individual needs and the causes of infertility found. In principle, it should start with simpler, cheaper, and safer methods before embarking on the more invasive and expensive ones.
The range of treatment options includes:
PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, elevated male hormone levels, and multiple small cysts on the ovaries. The condition results from hormonal imbalances that affect ovulation and metabolism. PCOS is one of the most common causes of female subfertility.
Common signs include irregular or absent menstrual periods, excess facial or body hair (hirsutism), acne, and weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Some women may experience thinning scalp hair, darkened skin patches in body creases, and difficulty conceiving. Diagnosis typically involves physical examination, blood tests to assess hormone levels, and pelvic ultrasound to visualize the ovaries.
PCOS may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular conditions, particularly if left unmanaged. The condition can lead to subfertility due to irregular or absent ovulation, and may increase the risk of endometrial cancer due to prolonged absence of menstruation. Women with PCOS may also experience mood changes, anxiety, and sleep disturbances affecting quality of life.
Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and reducing long-term health risks through lifestyle modifications including weight management, regular exercise, and balanced nutrition. Medical treatments may include hormonal contraceptives to regulate menstrual cycles, anti-androgen medications to reduce excess hair growth and acne, and metformin to improve insulin sensitivity. For women trying to conceive, ovulation-inducing medications may be prescribed, with treatment approaches determined by individual symptoms and health goals.
Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual disorders are conditions affecting the normal menstrual cycle, including irregular periods, heavy bleeding, painful periods, or absent menstruation. These disorders can result from hormonal imbalances, structural abnormalities, stress, or underlying medical conditions. Menstrual disorders are common and can affect women of all reproductive ages.
Common signs include periods occurring more frequently than every 21 days or less frequently than every 35 days, unusually heavy bleeding requiring frequent pad or tampon changes, periods lasting longer than 7 days, or severe cramping that interferes with daily activities. Other symptoms may include bleeding between periods, absence of menstruation for three or more consecutive cycles, or passage of large blood clots. Severe pain, nausea, or vomiting during menstruation may also indicate a menstrual disorder.
Heavy or prolonged bleeding may lead to anemia, causing fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. Irregular cycles can make conception difficult for women trying to conceive, and underlying conditions causing menstrual disorders may impact fertility. Severe menstrual pain can significantly affect quality of life, work productivity, and daily activities. Untreated menstrual disorders may also indicate underlying conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, or hormonal imbalances requiring medical attention.
Hormonal Therapies:
Pain Management:
Surgical Options:
Lifestyle Modifications:
Treatment approaches are tailored to individual needs, symptom severity, and reproductive goals.
Laparoscopy
Laparosocpy involves passing a lighted video camera (laparoscope) into the abdominal cavity, in order to allow the surgeon to visualize the internal organs, from the womb, ovaries, fallopian tubes to the intestines, gallbladder, liver etc.
This procedure is usually done under general anaesthesia. Carbon dioxide gas is needed to distend the abdominal cavity to allow proper visualization during the operation.
Almost 90% of all gynaecological surgery can be done laparoscopically; the extent is largely dependent on the experience of the surgeon. Through three to four cuts of 0.5-1cm sizes on the belly button and lower half of the tummy, the laparoscope and other instruments are inserted into the abdomen to perform the surgery.
The type of surgeries ranges from tubal sterilization, treatment of endometriosis, infertility tubal surgery, removal of ovarian cysts and fibroids to removal of the entire womb and ovaries.
Using laparoscopic surgery, the following can be performed:
As the wounds are much smaller when compared to the traditional open method, the recovery tends to be less painful and faster. In addition, the chance of wound infection is also much lower.
Finally, smaller wounds are certainly better for cosmesis, ie the appearance of the patient.
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy refers to visualization of the cavity of the womb using a hysteroscope (a telescope with light).
The cavity is usually filled with either gas or fluid first eg water, normal saline etc to facilitate proper viewing. A diagnostic hysteroscopy can be performed under local anesthesia if needed to.
Common reasons that hysteroscopy is necessary include investigations for abnormal menses, infertility, repeated miscarriages, as well as the treatment for certain diseases.
Hysteroscopic surgery can be used to remove polyps or fibroids that grow into the cavity of the womb (submucous fibroids), reduce heavy menses, remove foreign bodies, adhesions etc. These operations may be performed under general or regional anesthesia, and commonly as day surgery procedures.
On the other hand, hysteroscopy is used to:
Hysteroscopic surgery is the least invasive gynaecological surgery. As the entire procedure is performed via the vagina, there is no abdominal wound.
Recovery is very fast and pain is minimal. It should be the first option of treatment if the disease and conditions are appropriate.
Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure using a specialized magnifying instrument called a colposcope to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva in detail. The procedure allows doctors to identify abnormal cells or tissue changes that may not be visible during a regular examination. It is typically performed in an outpatient setting and takes approximately 10-20 minutes.
Colposcopy is commonly used to investigate abnormal Pap smear results or symptoms such as unusual bleeding. The procedure allows for closer examination of suspicious areas and enables tissue biopsy if needed. It may also be used to monitor previously treated cervical conditions or follow up on HPV infections.
Colposcopy helps detect precancerous cervical changes (dysplasia), cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, and genital warts. If abnormalities are identified, biopsies can be taken for further evaluation. Treatment decisions are then made based on biopsy results.
Colposcopy provides detailed visualization enabling early detection of precancerous changes before cancer develops. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed in an outpatient setting. Early detection through colposcopy may lead to timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Urogynaecology
Urogynaecology is a subspecialty of gynecology focusing on pelvic floor disorders affecting the bladder, reproductive organs, and bowel. The field addresses conditions resulting from weakened pelvic floor muscles and supporting structures, commonly occurring after childbirth, aging, or surgery.
Urogynaecology is used to evaluate and manage symptoms such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and overactive bladder. Urogynaecological assessment typically includes physical examination, bladder function tests, and imaging studies when needed.
Urogynaecology treats urinary incontinence (stress, urge, or mixed types), pelvic organ prolapse, overactive bladder, and recurrent urinary tract infections. It also addresses pelvic pain conditions, fecal incontinence, and bladder emptying difficulties.
Urogynaecology offers specialized care for pelvic floor disorders that may significantly impact daily activities and quality of life. Treatment options range from conservative approaches (pelvic floor exercises, pessaries) to minimally invasive surgical interventions when appropriate.
Fertility Related Procedures
Fertility related procedures are diagnostic and treatment interventions designed to assess and address reproductive health challenges in individuals or couples experiencing difficulty conceiving. These procedures aim to identify underlying causes and provide appropriate interventions based on individual circumstances.
Fertility procedures are used to investigate causes of subfertility, which may include hormonal imbalances, structural abnormalities, or ovulation disorders. These interventions help evaluate reproductive organ function, egg quality, and sperm health.
Fertility procedures can address conditions including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis affecting fertility, blocked fallopian tubes, and ovulation disorders. They may also help manage uterine abnormalities such as fibroids or polyps that impact fertility.
Fertility procedures provide systematic evaluation to identify specific causes of conception difficulties, enabling targeted treatment approaches. Early assessment and intervention may improve the likelihood of successful conception in suitable candidates.
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