TCM Fertility Treatment – What You Need to Know
Many couples are turning to TCM fertility treatment to improve their chances of conceiving. Learn how TCM can be what.
TCM Physician Pansy Yeo
Specialty: TCM, Paediatric Respiratory Disorder, Paediatric Digestive System Disorder, Fertility, Prenatal, Confinement And Lactation Management, TCM Post-Stroke Rehabilitation, TCM Palliative Care, Mental Wellness
Clinic: Chong Hoe Healthcare Pte Ltd
Who Is Physician Pansy Yeo?
Pansy Yeo is a senior TCM physician and managing director of Chong Hoe Healthcare Pte Ltd. She is passionate about marrying modern science and traditional medicine and making TCM relevant to modern lifestyles.
Academic Qualifications
Pansy graduated from the inaugural batch of the TCM double degree course jointly conducted by Singapore and Beijing. The course aims to groom “East-meet-west” physicians who will become bridges linking modern medical science and traditional Chinese medicine. She is pursuing postgraduate studies in clinical mental health and psychology. She has obtained Graduate Diplomas in Child Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Counselling.
Professional Background
Upon graduation in 2010, she joined the Complementary Integrative Medicine Clinic at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where she worked collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, administering acupuncture in the treatment of various inpatient and outpatient conditions.
Pansy contributed to the publication of books on using herbs to complement breast cancer management, and participated in conducting clinical trials, including using acupuncture in the management of dry eyes syndrome. In 2013, she joined the Chong Hoe family of physicians as a clinician. She manages a TCM clinic and medical hall business with more than 60 years of history.
Pansy is well-versed in patient care and TCM diagnosis. She delivers treatment plans for a wide range of conditions. She is adept at using different TCM modalities, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, paediatric massage, cupping, and moxibustions. She is passionate about redefining traditional medicine and advocating TCM practices for contemporary society. She believes in marrying modern medical science and TCM for the best results. She has also successfully used dietary therapy in healthcare management to improve medical outcomes in her patients.
On top of being an active clinician, she is also a community educator. In 2014, She spearheaded a series of private classes to teach her patients TCM paediatric massage and basic TCM for the family. Her other skills encompass TCM clinic management and clinical research. She has been passionate about developing novel TCM products to help incorporate TCM into modern lifestyles.
She is a member of the Singapore Acupuncture Association, Institute of Chinese Medical Studies, NTU Chinese Medicine Alumni Association and the Academy of Chinese Medicine Singapore. Since 2021, she has become a part of NUS Faculty, incorporating TCM into educational modules offered to medical professionals. Pansy actively participates in meaningful collaborations with other allied health professionals and invests efforts in nurturing like-minded young physicians. She is a member of the TCM Healthier-SG Committee, a group set up to infuse TCM into Singapore’s Healthier-SG plans.
At home, Pansy is a proud mother of 3 children and takes care of her family the TCM way.
What Is Pansy’s Ethos In TCM?
I believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) aims to restore one’s natural balance within the body, based on one’s unique body constitution. To ensure proper diagnosis, I strive to understand the various influences contributing to the issue, such as lifestyle habits and social-emotional conditions. With a firm foundation in both modern biomedical science and TCM, my approach to patient care is a unique blend of modern and traditional methods that support them holistically.
If You Run Into Pansy Outside Work, You Are Likely To…
… see her having fun with family or friends; enjoying many of the nature spaces in Singapore; dancing or learning a new skill; exploring and trying out great vegetarian food; possibly chauffeuring and navigating Singapore’s traffic system.
Questions & Answers
Although I have always wanted to be in the healthcare industry, my decision to pursue a career in TCM stemmed from a powerful personal experience in my youth.
In primary school, I had a challenging time dealing with persistent health issues. Eventually, a visit to the TCM Physician and taking herbal medicine resolved my health issues quickly and effectively. That experience sparked my interest and curiosity in further understanding TCM and how it can improve one’s quality of life. As my understanding of TCM deepened over the years, I have come to love and appreciate the holistic health concepts in TCM that focus on enhancing one’s natural healing abilities. There are still many areas of TCM that I am interested in exploring to effectively solve many health problems today, including mental wellness, fertility, and reproductive health.
Fertility support is an area that is close to my heart because it contributes to a significant dimension in family life. For couples who wish to have children but are experiencing challenges, fertility support represents that ray of hope for them to welcome children of their own into their family. Although this work can be complex and often emotionally intense, I feel privileged and fortunate to be alongside the couple’s journey and share in their immense joy when the couple enter parenthood successfully.
TCM can always be considered for fertility support for all phases of the childbirth cycle. To optimize fertility, holistic care using TCM methods can be employed to improve the quality of eggs and sperm, and enhance the body’s environment for conception and pregnancy. Stress management using TCM during this phase improves outcomes. Furthermore, acupuncture and herbal soups can be used to provide prenatal and postnatal support.
Couples who are considering IUI and IVF can consider TCM as a complement to conventional medical fertility treatment. Usually, TCM physicians will prepare and condition the body for their upcoming procedures, for 3-6 months. TCM is also helpful for women who are suffering from conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis, which are common conditions that affect fertility.
Healthcare workers must continue their education to keep current on industry developments, evidence-based procedures, and medical technology. Through attending courses, conferences, and webinars, practitioners like me can improve clinical abilities.
Regular touch base with fellow TCM physicians and also western counterparts, allied health provides valuable opportunities for healthcare professionals to connect. These interactions facilitate knowledge sharing, exchange of best practices, and exposure to diverse perspectives.
I believe that the effects of treatment can only be sustained over time when the patient also takes ownership of his or her health. Thus, one key aspect of my philosophy would be working hard to form strong patient-centered partnerships to empower them to have more ownership over their healthcare journey.
When I first started out as a qualified TCM physician, my approach was focused on reaching ‘clinical objectives’ by managing patients’ symptoms. However, over time, I noticed a strong connection between patients’ social-emotional condition (e.g. stress levels) and the success rate of natural conception or IVF treatment. One case that stands out would be a female patient who succeeded in becoming pregnant after a long period of fertility support, only to lose her baby 15 weeks into the pregnancy due to overwhelming social-emotional challenges.
Cases like these helped me realise that treatment plans must consider patients’ social-emotional conditions. As such, the focus of my approach shifted to supporting the patient more holistically, nourishing the patient’s mind, body, and spirit to provide the best possible conditions for the pregnancy. I have found that active listening, empathic communication, and adjusting healthcare plans to support patient’s social-emotional needs have greatly improved treatment outcomes and overall wellness in my patients.
One common misconception is that any health tonic sold off the shelf can resolve all fertility challenges. The TCM approach requires knowledge of each patient’s unique bodily constitution and needs before prescribing a blend of herbal medicine that is customised to support the patient’s fertility rate. Also, just because something has health advantages doesn’t imply it may be used excessively on a long term basis.
It is, and has always been, my priority to be effective and clear in my communication with patients. Healthcare is a two-way partnership and through open discussions, I strive towards collaborative decision-making with my patients. During treatment, we will continue to discuss the progress with patients and make room for appropriate adjustments in the treatment plan.
I believe that self-care goes a long way in ensuring that we can bring our best selves when serving our patients. I am mindful of my workload and try to ensure sufficient rest. I also engage in activities I love, such as reading, dancing, and other outdoor activities. When needed, I will take herbal tonics to improve my energy levels.
I am excited about the latest research that provides support and evidence that TCM increases the chance of conception as well as the success rates of IVF treatment. I am also heartened by collaborations between TCM Physicians and Western Medical Doctors to provide holistic care for fertility treatment because patients can benefit from the ‘best of both worlds’.
A healthy diet plays an important role. To improve fertility and overall health, consider a well-balanced and nutritious diet, herbal supplements, and TCM dietary therapy under the supervision of a TCM physician. Dietary therapy should be tailored to individual needs and body constitution. Additionally, manage stress and maintain good lifestyle habits
the vision
Balance is at the heart of everything
‘We work to restore health by ensuring a state of balance in the body, and addressing individual needs. Marrying traditional wisdom and modern science, we form strong partnerships with our patients to bring about holistic health.”
– TCM Physician Pansy Yeo
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Words from the expert
- Zaobao interview on improving the health of children who have cold hands and feet.
- Contribution to Women’s Weekly feature article on 5 TCM Herbs That Can Help You Sleep Better.
Physician Pansy Yeo Interview Videos
Senior TCM Physician Pansy Yeo shares how TCM can support women’s fertility.
Physician Pansy Yeo Videos On RedNote
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.