Vida Functional Medicine

Sometimes it can be hard, for most people, it’s no news that during the cold months of the year we tend to get a low libido, lack of energy and focus, and a decline in activity.

It is completely normal to feel any of those symptoms with the arrival of winter, especially fatigue and changes in sleep patterns, feeling lazy, hopeless, and in a bad mood.

It is also no secret s*xual desire is not constant and, during winter, there are times when libido decreases drastically. There could be many factors that affect the desire to have intimate relationships, one of them has to do with your hormones during that time of the year.

You see, unlike higher temperatures, which make us generally more active, cold climates usually diminishes our libido considerably. This may also explain why during these months of the year we feel more lazy, tired and sleepy.

Here’s why you might be affected from seasonal change:

● Melatonin: During cold months, the levels of the hormone melatonin are higher than during warm months. This hormone regulates our sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm), which induces sleep. This explains why you might feel tired and sleepy.

● Serotonin: Less exposure to sunlight has been associated with a drop in serotonin, a hormone that boosts good mood. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression.

● Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Levels of TSH increase during winter, and raised TSH promotes bad mood, fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.

● Vitamin D: A reduction in its levels can also negatively impact our immune system. This vitamin plays an important role in maintaining our immune system healthy to fight infections.

However, not everything is bad news! Functional Medicine is an extremely effective way to reduce the effects that cold weather or seasonal changes may have on our health.

This is mainly because this type of medical treatment overlooks the whole body and understands diseases and ailments as a set of several causes. Thus, it treats the root cause, not only the symptoms.

Learn More ->https://thinkvida.com/services/functional-medicine/
VIDA FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

In the Functional Medicine world, we use a tool called the Functional Medicine Matrix - this is basically a map of a patient’s body systems that allows our to map out complex cases. Humans are complex!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The very foundation of the Matrix is what we call the “Modifiable Lifestyle Factors.” These are the action items that we can work on TODAY no matter what your labs look like. The MLFs can be customized to each patient and each condition, including fertility! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Here is how I generally think about the MLFs when : ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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💗 Sleep & Relaxation: thinking about a regular bedtime to support circadian rhythm (really important for hormones), optimizing melatonin, and ensuring healthy cortisol and DHEA levels⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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💗 Exercise & movement: maintaining healthy insulin levels and protecting cardiovascular health, keeping healthy circulation through the pelvic region to nourish reproductive organs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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💗 Nutrition: focusing on nutrient density, food sources of anti-oxidants, correcting nutritional deficiencies and reducing exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals in the food supply⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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💗 Stress: stress coping mechanisms are SO important before new parenthood. Breathing, yoga, meditation, or mindfulness can help to improve stress hormones and quality of life ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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💗 Relationships: connection with your partner and a healthy s*x life is a great goal! We also want to think about other sources of social support to lift you up during pregnancy and postpartum life.

Let us know if you have any questions!

Post by Dr. Kalea Wattles, ND
Functional Medicine Physician

Vida integrated Health Bellevue

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. KALEA WATTLES!
🎂🍷🥂✨🎉🎁🎈🎀🛍

We are so excited to celebrate such an amazing Human being that is a true light in our Functional Medicine team at Vida Integrated Health!

Dr. Wattles not only spends her days supporting her patients to live their healthiest and most joyous lives as a women’s health and fertility specialist but she also educates and supports her community with a social profile FULL of such important knowledge, research and tips on everything Fertility & Womens Health! DONT MISS OUT 📲

Join us with raising our glasses to Dr. Kalea Wattles on her Special Day! 🥂

Happy Birthday Dr. Wattles!

We are so grateful for our patients feedback ❤️

We are never satisfied with the status quo. We continue to strive to give more, be better and deliver the best quality care!

✨ Primary Care
✨ Women’s Health
✨ Men’s Health
✨ Fertility
✨ Anti-Aging

Review for: Dr. Michelle Leary, ND
Director of Functional Medicine
Vida Integrated Health
Seeing patients at Vida Ravenna and Vida Kirkland.

VIDA FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
📲 THINKVIDA.COM