Dr. Laura Villa, NMD

Dr. Villa here, and this weekend marked not only another trip around the sun but also a celebration of the incredible journey of motherhood.

✨ As a doctor and a mother, this past year has been a tapestry of love, learning, and endless blessings.

🤱 This year, I've had the honor of guiding new mothers and women trying to conceive, offering medical expertise, emotional support, and a listening ear.

💖 Motherhood is a journey of self-discovery, where every milestone is cherished. From those first kicks in the womb to the first words, steps, and beyond, the joy of witnessing a child grow is unparalleled.

🌸 But let's not forget the challenges that come with motherhood—the sleepless nights, the balancing act, and the selflessness that defines it. I've seen firsthand the strength and resilience of mothers, as they navigate the complexities of their role with grace and unwavering love.

🎁 As I celebrate another year of life and motherhood, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the mothers out there. Your sacrifices, dedication, and unconditional love inspire me every day.

💐 To all the mothers, both new and experienced, you are the heart and soul of this journey. Happy birthday to me, and a heartfelt celebration of motherhood to all of you.

🌿🚫 I want to shed some light on this because knowledge is power! So let’s break it down:

Ma*****na is the most commonly used drug worldwide, especially in those of reproductive age.

1️⃣ Male fertility: ma*****na use in males has been linked to decreased s***m count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape), which can affect fertility. Additionally, ma*****na use may lead to hormonal imbalances and erectile dysfunction.

2️⃣ Female fertility: ma*****na use in females can disrupt the menstrual cycle and interfere with ovulation. It may also affect the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, reducing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

3️⃣ Timing and frequency: the impact of ma*****na on fertility can depend on various factors, including the timing and frequency of use. Regular and heavy ma*****na use is more likely to have a negative impact on fertility compared to occasional or infrequent use.

4️⃣ Long-term effects: prolonged ma*****na use can lead to the accumulation of cannabinoids in the body, which may have lingering effects on fertility even after discontinuation.

It is important to note that research in this area is ongoing, and individual responses to ma*****na use can vary. If you’re trying to conceive or have concerns about fertility, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation.

✅ Stay Informed. Prioritize Your Reproductive Health.

*****naAndFertility

Happy Father’s Day to my incredible husband!

Today, and every day, I celebrate you, my loving husband, for being the extraordinary father our child is blessed to have.

Remember, fathers, that self-care is essential too! Take a moment today to reconnect with nature, breathe in the fresh air, and allow the healing power of nature to replenish your mind, body, and spirit. Your well-being matters, and by prioritizing it, you continue to be an inspiration for your family.

Fatigue is a common complaint in my office. These are SOME of the labs I order on patients who complain of fatigue.

Poor gut health contributes to fatigue as well. If your gut isn't performing optimally, you will be drained. I typically recommend functional gastrointestinal testing to my patients to rule out underlying gut issues.

Fatigue is a common complaint in my office.

Now, there are more straightforward causes, like a hectic lifestyle, not getting enough sleep, etc.

But I like to rule out underlying issues.

This is my starting point. Based on your other symptoms, I’ll likely look into other root causes like gut health. If your guy is out of wack, you’re going to feel exhausted!

Did you know that vitamin D deficiency is common? It is estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide have low levels. Deficiency is becoming more common due to sunscreen use and less time outdoors.
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Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it is absorbed along with fats in the diet and stored in the body’s fatty tissue and the liver. It plays a role in balancing calcium and phosphorus, and bone metabolism. It has other bodily roles, including reducing inflammation, improving immune function, and helping with blood sugar metabolism. Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D functions like a hormone, and every single cell in your body has a receptor for it.
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The major sources of vitamin D are skin exposure to UVB radiation from the sun and dietary intake.
☀️ Twenty minutes of sunshine daily with over 40% of skin exposed is required to prevent deficiency.
🐟 The best dietary sources are fatty fish (mackerel, sardines, and salmon) and fortified foods like milk. Because it is fat-soluble, it does not dissolve in water ad is best absorbed when paired with high-fat foods -- avocadoes, nuts, seeds, eggs, etc.

Deficiency can result from several causes:
1. Decreased absorption
2. Decreased dietary intake
3. Decreased sun exposure
4. You have dark skin
5. Your kidneys can’t convert vitamin D to its active form
6. Age
6. Medications
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Signs that you might be deficient:
😷 Getting sick often
😴 Feeling fatigued
🦴 Bone pain or back pain
😔 Depression
💈Hair loss
💪🏼Muscle pain
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The dosing of vitamin D depends on the severity of the deficiency. Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, toxicity is possible. So please consult your doctor before beginning supplementation.

Let’s check your levels! Make an appointment today by calling the office at 520-495-4400

Optimal hormone levels are essential even if you're not trying to get pregnant!

When your estrogen and progesterone are adequately balanced, you can avoid most of these symptoms.

Interested in checking your progesterone levels? Call the office to schedule an appointment!

Male infertility is caused by multiple factors such as abnormal semen production or low s***m counts.

About 15% of couples have trouble conceiving, and over 50% of the time, there is a male infertility issue.

CoQ10 can help improve most semen parameters.

Want to know if this supplement is right for you? Then call the office at 520-495-4400 to discuss!

What’s your favorite way to eat blueberries??

Did you know that I do blood draws in the office?

No need to head to LabCorp!

Don’t forget that regular blood testing is one of the most important ways to keep track of your overall well-being.

Labs that I typically run yearly include:
🩸CBC
🩸CMP
🩸Lipids
🩸TSH, free T3, free T4, TPO antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies
🩸Hemoglobin A1c, insulin
🩸AM cortisol
🩸DHEA-sulfate

For my ladies, I usually order these as well:
💃Progesterone
💃Estradiol
💃LH and FSH
💃Prolactin
💃Free and total testosterone

Have you done your yearly lab work yet?? Let me know in the comments below 👇🏼

Reposting this one because it’s so important!

You've probably heard that the body is made up of over 70 percent of water.
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Despite everything we know about how important water is for health, statistics show that most Americans do not drink enough water.
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Symptoms of dehydration include:
Feeling thirsty
Muscle cramps
Fatigue
Headaches
Dry skin
Low blood pressure
Sugar cravings
Bad breath
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Tips to increase water intake:
💧Get a reusable water bottle and carry it with you.
💧Set a reminder on your phone.
💧Order water when eating out.
💧Flavor your water - Adding citrus, cucumber, or mint to your water can make it more flavorful.
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How much water have you had today? 👇🏼

PMS is a group of symptoms that happen right before a woman gets her period. It is common. Studies have shown that about 80-90% of women have at least one symptom of PMS!

The most common symptoms are
- Bloating
- Feeling tired, angry, or worried
- Headaches
- Breast soreness or swelling
- Trouble sleeping
- swelling
- Anxiety
- Irritability

Unfortunately, there is no specific test for PMS. However, it is important to check for other possible sources of the symptoms - hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, hyperprolactinemia, low progesterone, nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar imbalance, and estrogen dominance.

Here are a few natural therapies that can help:
✨Vitamin B6
✨Magnesium
✨Fish oil
✨Vitamin E
✨Chaste tree
✨Clean up your diet
✨Manage your stress

I find that most patients get dismissed by their doctor when they complain of hair loss. Most docs don’t do any testing!

Some of the things I check for are:
✨Thyroid issues
✨Iron deficiency
✨Androgen excess
✨Estrogen dominance
✨Nutrient deficiency
✨Autoimmune disease
✨Stress

Let’s get to the root cause of your hair loss!!

Preconception care matters!

A preconception appointment with me looks like this:
🍼Detailed intake where we’ll discuss diet, lifestyle, menstrual history, etc.
🍼I’ll order lab work and imaging. The labs/imaging will depend on your current symptoms and health history.
🍼Once your lab results are in, I’ll create a personalized plan for you! It will include diet changes, lifestyle modifications, how to track your cycle, and supplements.
🍼After 3 months, if all is going well, I’ll have you start trying to conceive.

Stress can cause the occasional missed period. But if it’s happening more frequently, then there’s something deeper going on!

Not getting regular, consistent sleep will mess with your hormones.

I see it all the time in shift workers. Patients come in to see me for PMS, fatigue, and mood swings. Lab results show hormonal imbalances — high TSH, insulin resistance/high blood sugar, high or low cortisol, and estrogen dominance.

These women are healthy. They eat clean. They exercise regularly.

But the one thing they all have in common is that they are shift workers.

Studies have shown that Night Shift work is associated with sub clinical hypothyroidism, which then leads then leads to periods being painful and heavy.

Studies also show that circadian dysregulation will decrease insulin sensitivity, which causes blood sugar imbalances. Once your insulin stops functioning properly, you then develop menstrual cycle issues.

Bottom line: make your sleep a priority!

Lots of changes come with being a new momma. These are supplements I utilize in the months following birth to optimize healing and support a balanced mood.

👶🏻A prenatal vitamin is important while you’re pregnant and AFTER baby is born. This will help with breastfeeding and will help mothers replenish themselves with vital nutrients.

👶🏻Vitamin D is crucial for mood, immune system and baby. Dosing depends on your levels, so make an appointment with your doc to get your levels checked!

👶🏻Fish oil can help prevent postpartum depression.

👶🏻Probiotics support the intestinal tract as digestive changes are common after pregnancy. Also, 90% of serotonin, which acts as a mood stabilizer, is made in the gut.

👶🏻Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it helps your body respond to stress.

Other natural therapies may indicated for your specific symptoms.

Please consult your doctor before beginning any new supplements.

If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about your supplements.

Just because it is "natural" and you can buy at a health food store, doesn't make it safe.

There are many herbs, vitamins, and supplements that are harmful to a growing fetus.

If you are unsure, please schedule an appointment! As a naturopathic doctor, I have extensive training in supplement/botanical safety.

I'm seeing more and more cases of hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis.

As with most chronic disease, thyroid dysfunction tends to be multifactorial.

Stress, genetics, nutrient deficiencies, dysbiosis, toxins, hormone dysregulation, and infections are contributing factors.

Yes, medication will help, but the underlying cause NEEDS to be addressed.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. Ladies, get your prolactin checked!

Subclinical hypothyroidism is an early, mild form of hypothyroidism, in which the body doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone.

It is subclinical because free T4 and free T3 are normal, but TSH is high.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, then you might have subclinical hypothyroidism!
- Water retention/weight gain
- Hair loss
- Fatigue/lack of stamina
- Dry hair
- Dry skin
- Longer/heavier/more frequent periods
- Fatigue
- Loss of full eyebrowns
- Depression
- Low motivation
- Constipation

Have you been told that your thyroid is "normal"?

Your period is TOO heavy if you are
1. Changing your pad/tampon every 1-2 hours.
2. Passing clots bigger than one inch in diameter.
3. Waking at night to change pad/tampon.
4. Bleeding more than 7 days.

Heavy periods can be caused by the following:
🩸Thyroid dysfunction
🩸Estrogen dominance
🩸Fibroids
🩸Bleeding disorders
🩸Adenomyosis
🩸Certain birth control
🩸Endometriosis
🩸Cancer

Have you been told that your bleeding is "normal" despite having these symptoms??

Happy Monday!

I’m back from a trip to the beach and am feeling super refreshed.

For the first time in years, I COMPLETELY unplugged for the weekend 😬

I definitely need to do this more often.

How do you recharge over the weekend?? 👇🏼

The healthiest diets for those trying to conceive involves meals centered around whole foods. Eating foods such as those found in the Mediterranean diet, lean meats, fish, whole grains, fruits, and veggies has been proven beneficial to fertility in both men and women.

The majority of women with elevated androgens have PCOS.

High androgens can cause:
- Acne
- Increase in body hair in a male pattern, such as on the face, chin, and abdomen
- Lack of menstrual period
- Oily skin

Please talk to your doctor before stating any of these!

This is me in 2014 while I was in culinary school.

My intention was never to become a chef or work in a kitchen.

My goal was to show patients how to eat nutritious food.

I truly believe that food is medicine.

Does your doctor ever ask you what you’re eating?

If you are having trouble getting pregnant, then get your prolactin checked.

Prolactin is a hormone made and secreted by the pituitary.

Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin) is a common endocrine cause of infertility in women. It is a frequent finding in young women presenting with infertility.

So, how does it affect fertility?
🔴It can cause menstrual dysfunction by inhibiting LH and FSH secretion. This happens because high levels of prolactin influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and can cause chronic anovulation.
🔴It can cause insufficient progesterone secretion and, therefore, a short luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
🔴Even a mild elevation can cause infertility even when there is no abnormality of the menstrual cycle. Mild elevations may cause luteal phase insufficiency in cycling women and is associated with recurrent miscarriage.
🔴 High elevations of prolactin cause subnormal estradiol secretion, causing amenorrhea, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.

Did your doctor check your prolactin levels?? Let me know in the comments!

Infertility affects up to 15% of couples in the United States.

Although the timeframe is different based on age and health, normally women under the age of 35 should try to conceive for a year before she and her partner should seek professional help.

Most pregnancies occur during the first six menstrual cycles of attempted conception. So why wait a year?

I recommend coming in before you try to conceive for a thorough evaluation. Let's get you at OPTIMAL health beforehand.

Make yourself a priority!