How to measure basal temperature to determine ovulation and pregnancy? Learn how to measure your basal temperature correctly. Correct measurement of basal temperature

The basal temperature (BT) method is one of the ways to track fertile days, which are considered the most favorable for conception. Many women use it successfully when planning pregnancy. It is also interesting because it can determine the presence or absence of ovulation, evaluate the functioning of the ovaries, suggest a possible pregnancy a few days after ovulation, and also monitor its development for the first 12-14 weeks.

What is basal temperature

Basal temperature is the temperature measured with a thermometer orally, vaginally, or, most often, rectally (in the rectum) at rest after a night's sleep. During the menstrual cycle, body temperature changes under the influence of certain hormones.

In the first phase of the cycle (follicular), from the end of menstruation until the beginning of ovulation, estrogen hormones predominate in the body. During this period, the egg matures. The average basal temperature of the first phase is in the range of 36 - 36.5C. And its duration depends on the time of maturation of the egg. For some it may take 10 days to ripen, for others it may take 20.

The day before ovulation, the BT value for one day decreases by 0.2-0.3 C. And during ovulation itself, when a mature egg is released from the follicle and a large amount of the hormone progesterone enters the body, BT should make a jump of 0.4-0.6 C in one or two days, reaching 37.0-37.2 C and stay within these limits throughout the luteal phase.

During the ovulation period, the dominant role of hormones changes (estrogens give way to progesterone). The most successful period for conception is considered to be 3-4 days before ovulation (sperm viability time) and 12-24 hours after ovulation. If during this period the egg does not fuse with the sperm, it dies.

The second, luteal phase, occurs under the influence of the hormone progesterone. It is produced by the corpus luteum, which appears at the site of a burst follicle. The luteal phase lasts from 12 to 16 days. BT throughout the entire phase remains above 37.0 C, and if pregnancy has not occurred, a day or two before the start of menstruation, it decreases by 0.2-0.3 C. During menstruation, expulsion from the body of an unfertilized egg along with the endometrial layer that is unnecessary in this cycle.

It is believed that normally the difference between the average values of the two phases of the menstrual cycle should be at least 0.4 C.

How to measure basal temperature correctly

According to the rules, basal temperature is measured in the morning, at the same time (a deviation of 20-30 minutes is allowed), without getting out of bed, avoiding sudden movements. Therefore, you need to prepare a thermometer - shake it off and put it near the bed - in the evening.

If you have chosen any method of measuring basal temperature, for example, rectal, you must adhere to it throughout the entire cycle. The thermometer is held for 5-7 minutes. It is better to start measuring temperature from the sixth day after the first day of menstruation.

Data can be written down on a piece of paper, and then, by connecting the dots, you can get a graph. Or keep charts on the Internet. There are special programs for this that are convenient to use. The most difficult thing that will need to be done is to correctly measure BT and enter the indicators into a spreadsheet. Next, the program itself will calculate the time when ovulation occurred (if it occurred), draw a graph, and calculate the temperature difference between the two phases.

If you had to get out of bed at night, you should measure BT after 5-6 hours. Otherwise, the indicators will be uninformative and can not be taken into account that day. It is also worth not taking into account days when you were sick and your body temperature was increased.

It would be much easier if you could measure simple body temperature rather than basal temperature. The difficulty is that the body’s temperature during the day can change due to stress, cold, heat, physical activity, etc. Therefore, it is very difficult to catch a period when body temperature would be informative. Therefore, it was decided to measure basal temperature - after 5-6 hours of sleep at rest.

Basal temperature during pregnancy

As mentioned above, the most favorable period for conception is a few days before and one day after ovulation. If pregnancy has occurred, the corpus luteum will produce progesterone up to 12-14 weeks. The basal temperature will remain above 37C all this time; it will not fall before the days of menstruation.

Some women stop measuring BT when they become pregnant. It is not recommended to do this, because... BT during this period is very informative and allows you to control pregnancy.

When pregnancy occurs, BT remains above 37C, the permissible deviation is 0.1-0.3C. If BT values fall below normal for several days in a row in the first 12-14 weeks, it is likely that the embryo is at risk. Progesterone deficiency may be present. You should immediately consult a doctor to take appropriate measures. It would not be superfluous to be examined using an ultrasound machine.

If BT has risen above 38C, this also does not bode well. It may indicate the presence of infections in a woman’s body or the onset of inflammatory processes. It is not worth drawing conclusions based on a one-time decrease or increase in BT, because Perhaps errors were made when measuring it, or extraneous factors influenced the value - stress, general condition of the body, etc.

After 12-14 weeks, you can no longer measure your basal temperature, because the indicators are not informative, because by this time the hormonal background of the pregnant woman changes. The mature placenta begins to produce progesterone, and the corpus luteum fades into the background.

Basal temperature chart during pregnancy

If you record your basal temperature readings on paper, or keep a chart on the Internet, you can pay attention to certain signs that signal that pregnancy has occurred:

- on days 5-10 (usually 7) after ovulation, BT decreases by 0.3-0.5 C for one day. What is called implantation retraction occurs. At this time, the embryo first tries to penetrate the endometrium of the uterus, i.e. find a place and settle down. Often during this period, women notice minor bleeding for 1-2 days, which is called implantation bleeding. Sometimes it looks more like a cream or light brown daub;

— the temperature of the second phase tends to above 37C;

- before the expected critical days, the basal temperature does not fall, but rises by 0.2-0.3 C, this is highlighted on the graph as the third phase;

- critical days have not arrived on time, BT continues to remain at a high level for more than 16 days after ovulation. You can do the first test and see the result. It is likely that it will show two stripes.

Don't be upset if your schedule doesn't look like a classic pregnant one. There are charts that make it impossible to determine the signs of pregnancy, but it has occurred nonetheless.

Increased or decreased basal temperature

An ideal BT chart should look like a flying bird with outstretched wings. The temperature difference between the two parts should be at least 0.4 C. Sometimes there are deviations from the ideal, which may indicate certain problems in the woman’s body.

If the readings of the second phase of the cycle are normal, and the readings of the first phase are above normal, this indicates estrogen deficiency. And if it is significantly lower than normal, then on the contrary, there is an excess of estrogen. Which is one of the causes of infertility. Only in the first case does this indicate a thin endometrium, and in the second - about the existence of follicular cysts.

If the values of the first phase are normal, and the values of the second phase are below normal, this indicates a lack of progesterone (pregnancy hormone). In this case, pregnancy may occur, but not be maintained. Therefore, to correct the situation, medications containing progesterone are prescribed, which should be taken strictly under the supervision of a doctor.

If both phases of the cycle are higher or lower than normal, but the difference between the average temperatures remains at least 0.4 C, in this case there are no pathologies or deviations in health. This is how the individual characteristics of the body manifest themselves.

Although the BBT measurement method is simple and accessible for determining pregnancy or diagnosing health, it should not be the only factor for diagnosis. Therefore, it must be combined with other methods. For example, to determine ovulation, you can additionally use test strips or ultrasound monitoring, to confirm pregnancy you can donate blood for hCG or test, and to diagnose health problems, take into account laboratory data.

Ovulation is a process that takes place in the body of a healthy woman, which is associated with the release of an egg into the fallopian tube for further fertilization. Knowing when ovulation begins can help you plan your pregnancy or prevent unwanted conception. There are several methods for determining it, but the most accessible and simplest is measuring basal body temperature.

What is this?

Basal body temperature (BBT) is an indicator that is measured in a state of complete rest, in the anus, immediately after waking up in the morning. It is a reflection of a woman’s hormonal background and allows us to identify problems in the functioning of the sex glands. However, BTT is more often used to determine days favorable for conception.

Many gynecologists advise women to keep their basal temperature chart. Especially for those who are planning to expand their family. The basal temperature chart during ovulation has its own characteristics. It allows you to calculate the most suitable day to get pregnant. Basal temperature directly depends on hormonal processes in a woman’s body.

and its phases

Created for procreation, therefore all processes occurring in it are aimed at ensuring conception and preparing the body for pregnancy and childbirth. The menstrual cycle consists of three successive phases: follicular, ovulatory and luteal.

The first phase begins with menstrual bleeding, then the formation of a follicle in the ovary and the formation of a new endometrium. Its duration can be determined by the basal temperature chart. Its normal duration is 1-3 weeks. Phyllicle-stimulating hormone and estrogen play a role in this phase. It ends with the maturation of the follicle.

The second phase is ovulation itself. The walls of the follicle rupture, and the egg passes through the fallopian tube towards the sperm. The phase lasts about 2 days. If fertilization occurs, the embryo attaches to the endometrium; if not, the egg dies. On the normal day of ovulation it is at the lowest level for the entire cycle.

In the third phase, progesterone production begins. It is produced by the corpus luteum, which forms at the site of a ruptured follicle. Basal temperature after ovulation changes upward - by 0.4-0.6 °C. During this period, the female body prepares to bear and preserve the fetus. If conception does not occur, then the concentration of female sex hormones decreases, and the circle closes, the follicular phase begins. Its normal duration for all women is about 2 weeks.

Why do temperature fluctuations occur?

Measuring basal temperature during ovulation as a method characterizing hormonal changes in a woman’s body was proposed in 1953 by scientist Marshall. And now WHO has approved it as an official method for detecting fertility. Its basis is a natural change in the concentration of progesterone in the blood. This hormone affects the thermoregulatory center in the brain, which causes a local increase in temperature in the organs and tissues of the pelvis. That is why a sharp increase in temperature in the anal region occurs during the luteal phase.

Thus, ovulation divides the menstrual cycle into two parts: in the first, the average temperature is approximately 36.6-36.8 ° C. Then it drops by 0.2-0.3 °C for 2 days, and then rises to 37-37.3 degrees and remains at this level almost until the end of the cycle. The normal basal temperature pattern during ovulation is called biphasic.

Measuring BBT can help determine with high accuracy the day that is successful for conception. According to statistics, it is known that the greatest chance of getting pregnant will fall on the day before and after the temperature rise - 30% each. 2 days before the jump - 21%, 2 days after - 15%. Pregnancy can occur with a 2% chance if fertilization occurs 3 or 4 days before the temperature rises.

What is this method used for?

If you constantly draw up a graph of basal temperature, the norm and pathology begin to be traced literally after 2-3 cycles. The resulting curves can answer many questions. Therefore, gynecologists strongly recommend this method to solve the following problems:

Determining a favorable day for conception.
Early diagnosis of pregnancy.
As a method of contraception.
Detection of problems in the functioning of the gonads.

Basically, basal temperature is measured to calculate the day the ovulatory phase of the cycle begins. This is the easiest and cheapest way. Determining ovulation by basal temperature is very easy if you regularly take measurements and follow all the rules.

Correct measurement is the key to the effectiveness of the method

For the results of the method to be true, it is necessary to follow all instructions when measuring BBT, because it is very important that the basal temperature chart during ovulation includes only accurate and reliable data. There is a set of basic rules:

Temperature measurement is carried out daily at the same time (optimally - 7.00-7.30) in the rectum.
You must sleep at least 3 hours before the procedure.
If a woman needs to get out of bed before the measurement time, then the readings must be taken before assuming a vertical position.
The thermometer must be prepared in advance and placed near the bed. It is better to shake it off before going to bed.
Temperature can only be measured in a horizontal position, lying motionless on your side.
During the cycle, you cannot change the thermometer.
It is better to enter readings into the graph immediately after the measurement.

Both a digital and a mercury thermometer are suitable for measurements. But an infrared thermometer is absolutely not intended for this method, since it has a high probability of error in the results. Since the basal temperature before ovulation and on the day it begins differs by only 0.2-0.3 °C, such a thermometer may not show this difference. An electronic thermometer produces large errors if you do not follow the instructions for its use. The most accurate readings can be obtained using a mercury thermometer, but it requires special care when handling.

When the obtained indicators may be incorrect

It must be remembered that basal temperature during ovulation, the norm of which is individual for each woman, can fluctuate depending on the influence of various factors. Often external influences on the body lead to the fact that BBT indicators are greatly distorted and have no informative value. These factors include:

Flights, transfers, business trips.
Stress.
Excessive alcohol intake.
Taking psychotropic and hormonal drugs.
Inflammatory processes in the body, fever.
Increased physical activity.
Short sleep.
Failure to follow measurement instructions.
Sexual intercourse several hours before measurement.

If anything from the above list happened, then you should not trust the measurements. And the day on which the violation occurred may not be taken into account in the construction of the schedule.

How to plot basal temperature

To build a basal temperature chart, you need to take measurements every day and make notes in a specially designated notebook. The graph represents the intersection of two lines at right angles. The vertical axis contains temperature data, for example, from 35.7 to 37.3 ° C, and the horizontal axis contains the days of the menstrual cycle. Each cell corresponds to 0.1 °C and 1 day. After making the measurement, you need to find the day of the cycle on the graph, mentally draw a line up and put a dot in front of the desired temperature. At the end of the cycle, all the points of the graph are connected, the resulting curve is an objective reflection of hormonal changes in the female body.

It is worth indicating the current date in the schedule and creating a column for special notes. To ensure that the data is sufficiently complete, you can describe your well-being, symptoms or situations that could be reflected in changes in basal temperature.

If a woman doesn’t quite understand how to chart her basal temperature, then a gynecologist from the antenatal clinic will definitely explain how to do this, and will also help decipher the data received.

Now there are many programs with which you can create an electronic schedule that will always be at hand. In this case, the woman simply needs to enter the temperature readings. The program will do the rest.

Decoding the graph

In this method of determining fertility, it is important not only to construct, but also to decipher basal temperature graphs. The norm is individual for each woman. However, there is an approximate form of the graph that should be obtained if the gonads are working properly. To analyze the resulting curve, you need to construct the following elements: overlapping line, ovulation line, duration of the second phase.

The overlapping (middle) line is built over 6 points of the follicular cycle without taking into account the first 5 days and days when the indicators deviated greatly due to the influence of external factors. This element has no semantic meaning. But it is necessary for clarity.

The basal temperature decreases on the day of ovulation, so to determine the day for successful conception, you need to find successive points that are under the overlapping line. In this case, the temperature values of 2 of the 3 points must differ by at least 0.1 °C from the center line, and at least 1 of them must have a difference of 0.2 °C from it. The next day after this, you can observe a jump in the point upward by 0.3-0.4 degrees. This is where you need to draw the ovulation line. If you have any difficulties with this method, you can use the “finger” rule to construct a graph. To do this, it is necessary to exclude all points that differ by 0.2 degrees from the previous or subsequent indicator. And based on the resulting graph, build an ovulation line.

After ovulation, the basal temperature in the anus should remain above 37 °C for 2 weeks. Deviations in the duration of the second phase or a small jump in temperature indicate disruption of the ovaries or low productivity of the corpus luteum. If 2 cycles in a row, the duration of the second phase does not exceed 10 days, then it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, since this is the main sign of progesterone deficiency in the luteal phase.

The basal temperature chart during ovulation must also correspond to the norm for such a parameter as the difference in temperatures between the follicular and luteal phases. This indicator should be more than 0.4 °C.

What does the graph look like in the presence of ovulation and pathologies?

A normal ovulatory schedule has two phases. In the first, you can observe an average temperature of 36.5-36.8 °C for 1-3 weeks, then a drop of 0.2-0.3 °C and a sharp rise to 37 °C and higher. In this case, the second part of the schedule should be no shorter than 12-16 days, and before the onset of bleeding, a slight decrease in temperature is observed. Graphically it looks like this:

You should also give examples of basal temperature graphs that show pathology. The curve will differ from the norm in various ways. If this occurs, the temperature jump will be no more than 0.2-0.3 °C. This condition is fraught with infertility, and therefore requires referral to specialists.

If the second phase on the graph is shorter than 10 days, then this is a clear sign of progesterone deficiency. Usually, there is no decrease in temperature before the onset of menstrual bleeding. In this case, pregnancy is possible, but under threat of termination.

If there is a lack of estrogen in a woman’s body, then the schedule will be chaotic, strikingly different from the norm. This may also be due to the influence of external factors (flights, excessive alcohol intake, inflammation, etc.).

When the curve does not have sharp jumps in temperature and is a monotonous graph, then this is called This happens in healthy women, but not more than 1-2 times a year. If this is repeated from cycle to cycle, then this may be a sign of infertility.

If after the second phase there is no decrease in temperature, then most likely the woman is pregnant.

Deciphering basal temperature charts, examples of which are presented above, requires specialist knowledge. Therefore, you should not draw conclusions on your own, diagnose yourself and prescribe treatment.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

The advantages of the method are its absolute accessibility, simplicity and complete absence of costs. When a woman regularly keeps a chart of basal temperature during ovulation, this makes it possible to determine the days of ovulation, recognize early pregnancy in time, or detect hormonal abnormalities and consult a gynecologist.

However, there are also disadvantages to the method. This method is not very accurate due to the individual characteristics of each organism. Here are its main disadvantages:

Does not make it possible to predict when the ovulatory phase will occur.
Does not provide accurate information about when ovulation occurred.
Even if there is a normal two-phase schedule, it does not guarantee that ovulation actually occurred.
Cannot provide specific information about the quantitative content of progesterone in the blood.
Does not provide data on the normal functioning of the corpus luteum.

To know exactly how informative the method is, you need to take blood tests for female hormones and do an ultrasound in the first couple of cycles. If the data from the chart and the studies coincide, it means that the woman can safely keep a chart of her basal temperature. The norm and deviations displayed on the curve in this case will correspond to reality.

This method is convenient, simple and does not require financial expenses. If you follow all the rules exactly and know how to decipher the basal temperature chart, then finding out the day of ovulation and planning conception is very easy. However, if there are any deviations from the norm, you should consult a specialist to prevent the development of pathological processes.

Doctors call the body, how and for what purpose it is measured, one of the most valuable for a woman who is conscious of her own health and future motherhood. Thus, the compilation method is very, very informative for those ladies for whom it is extremely important to obtain information about the hormonal changes occurring in the body, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, and the possibility (or impossibility) of pregnancy associated with these changes. The fact is that it is hormones that cause changes in basal body temperature in one period or another of the cycle: if the first half of it is marked by the dominance of estrogen in the body, then the second phase of the menstrual cycle occurs with an increase in the level of progesterone in the body. And this “turning point” - the transition from the “estrogen” to the “progesterone” period - is the moment: the most favorable time for successful conception and subsequent bearing of a child.

Basal body temperature: what it is and how it changes

In specialized literature, basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature in the period immediately after sleep. A woman’s basal temperature can be measured in three different ways: in the mouth, in the vagina or in the rectum. In this case, the choice of thermometer is not important - to measure temperature indicators, either a classic mercury thermometer or a supernova electronic thermometer can be used. But a prerequisite for observing all the rules for measuring basal temperature and then drawing up a temperature chart is the rule of the thermometer being unchanged: the basal temperature is always recorded exclusively by the same thermometer, because the errors of each individual thermometer are different even by 1 tenth of a degree. Accordingly, the use of different thermometers may well become the reason for drawing up an incorrect temperature graph.

Temperature readings when measuring basal temperature throughout the entire menstrual cycle change and directly depend on hormonal fluctuations. Experts divide the menstrual cycle into 3 periods: follicular (the period of time before ovulation), ovulatory (the period when a mature egg is released from the ovary) and luteal (the period after ovulation until the onset of menstruation). In the compiled graph of basal temperature, at the same time, the menstrual period by changing the curve is divided into 2 periods: the follicular and luteal phase. The transition from one phase to another - the ovulatory period - becomes the most suitable time for conceiving a child, for which, in most cases, the mentioned schedules are drawn up.

The follicular period is characterized by the predominance of estrogens in the female body; this is a time of low temperatures: the basal temperature will now remain at 36.2-36.5 degrees. When the luteal phase begins, on the eve of the release of the egg from the ovary, the temperature drops even more, by about 0.1 degrees, and then a sharp rise in temperature follows - the active production of progesterone causes the basal temperature to increase to 37.2-37.5 degrees. Such temperature indicators will persist until the start of the next menstruation, after which a gradual decrease in basal temperature should be expected.

So, drawing up a basal temperature chart with a daily indication of temperature levels will allow you to optimally calculate the most favorable days for successful conception, as well as the days for actually safe sex. Please note that for each woman, depending on the characteristics and duration of the menstrual cycle, the duration of the follicular phase will be different. At the same time, the luteal phase always has approximately the same duration: from 10 to 14 days. For example, if the menstrual cycle is an optimal 28 days, the estrogen and progesterone dominance phases will be approximately equal. If the cycle is shortened or, conversely, longer, the estrogen dominance phase decreases or increases.

How to measure basal temperature?

In order to obtain the most accurate basal temperature chart, which will be used to navigate and calculate the chances of conception, it is necessary to strictly follow a number of specific rules. After all, even seemingly insignificant actions or interventions from outside subjective factors affect the temperature of the body. By the way, keep in mind that by monitoring your basal temperature for several months, it is also possible to determine possible hormonal problems in the body. For example, elevated temperatures in the first phase indicate a deficiency of estrogen in the body, while low temperatures in the second phase may indicate insufficient production of progesterone. But an even schedule, without any special temperature changes or sudden jumps in the schedule, can be an alarming signal of a lack of ovulation and inability to conceive. In any of the above cases, it is advisable, if possible, to consult a doctor as soon as possible and undergo diagnostics for possible hormonal disorders.

You can correctly and accurately track your basal temperature and create a correct schedule by following the written rules. So how can you measure basal temperature so that the chart you create is as informative as possible?

Basal temperature is measured exclusively after sleep, without getting out of bed and before the start of any physical activity. Temperature measurements should always take place at the same time: if you wake up at 8 am, then your temperature should be taken at the same time every day. In the case when, for example, on a weekend, waking up occurs a little later (and, accordingly, measurements are also made with a time shift), it is necessary to make a note about this state of affairs in the schedule.
The duration of continuous sleep before measuring basal temperature should be at least 4-6 hours. So, if, for example, you woke up at 6 o’clock in the morning due to a slight need, and then go to bed to get some sleep, it is better to measure the temperature immediately after waking up “with an urge”: if you wake up at 8.00 you will no longer receive accurate data. And, even after sleeping for more than 3 hours after first waking up, the data will be less accurate than those obtained a few hours earlier.
Having decided on the method of measuring temperature (orally, rectally or in the vagina), in the future it is necessary to use this method as the only one, without moving the thermometer. Otherwise, there is no need to talk about an exact schedule. You should also measure your temperature during menstruation, each time writing it down immediately after the measurements, so that you don’t forget to do it later.
Temperature readings can be influenced by the following factors: drinking alcohol the night before or at night; stressful conditions; various diseases, including those with increased body temperature; insomnia; moving or flying with climate change; taking medications; sex a few hours before waking up. Please note that it is not possible to chart your basal temperature when taking hormonal medications or contraceptives.

Basal temperature chart

Drawing up a basal temperature chart itself is actually not that difficult. For the graph you will need an ordinary checkered piece of paper, which is drawn out manually: horizontal and vertical rays are drawn from one point. The days of the menstrual cycle are marked on the horizontal beam, and degrees are recorded on the vertical beam, with the calculation of 1 cell = 0.1 degrees. Every morning, when measuring your basal temperature, you should immediately make a corresponding note in the chart, marking the indicators with a dot.

For maximum reliability, it is better to draw up a schedule for no less than 3 cycles. And then you can study the dynamics of the curve by determining the day of ovulation.

In progress preparation for motherhood, women use many ways to define. One of them includes studies of basal body temperature. For convenience, this phrase has been abbreviated as BT.

What is basal temperature?

The body temperature, provided it is in a calm state, is called basal. It is measured rectally, by inserting a thermometer into the rectum. Basal temperature is considered the lowest after prolonged sleep. It is able to reflect the hormonal processes occurring in the female body. The two main functions of measurement are determining the exact day and identifying gynecological diseases.

Some women use information obtained through research for contraception. This method can hardly be called error-free. The probability of conception in this case is quite high. The method of measuring rectal temperature brings much more benefit

REFERENCE! In the process of measuring BT, it is important to follow the established rules. Otherwise, the result will not be reliable.

How to measure to determine ovulation?

All processes occurring in reproductive system women are carried out in strict sequence. They are accompanied by characteristic signs. Exit is an essential component of successful conception. There are many methods that can be used to identify it with the greatest accuracy - a special test, ultrasound monitoring, and also using the method of measuring BT.

The result will be accurate only if there are follow all rules. During measurement, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

Most preferred is mercury thermometer.

It is necessary to measure BT after continuous sleep lasting at least 6 hours.

Results should be recorded daily without missing a single day.

Manipulations are carried out at the same time of day.

Before measurements, you must not make any body movements. That is why the thermometer should be placed in close proximity to the bed.

Hold a thermometer in the rectum need at least 5 minutes.

Any factors that may affect the result must be indicated in the schedule (sexual intercourse, stress, medication, climate change, poor sleep).

It is better to use a separate notebook or notepad to keep a measurement schedule. Space should be allocated for additional footnotes for each day. The days of the cycle are marked horizontally. Vertical indicated measurement temperature.

Each day is marked with a dot opposite the corresponding indicator. At the end of the cycle all points are connected to each other. A graph appears that allows you to understand when it happened.

IMPORTANT! Using the BT schedule, the attending physician can determine the nature of the existing diseases.

How to determine pregnancy according to schedule?

Regularly filling out the BT schedule allows you to notice any deviations I'm in a woman's body. There are standards that the temperature must meet at certain stages of the menstrual cycle. Before the onset of menstruation, the temperature drops. If conception occurs, then the parameters remain at the same level.

Observations based on plotting help determine the presence of pregnancy even before missed period. This is especially true in cases where a woman needs to take medications. Taking some of them can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

If conception is successful, the following points will be reflected on the woman’s chart:

Implantation retraction 5–12 days after follicle rupture.

No temperature fluctuations at the end of the cycle.

The indicators will not fall below the level of implantation retraction.

REFERENCE! If there are deviations in the course of pregnancy, BT will not meet the standards.

Implantation retraction may coincide with the appearance of pinkish or bloody discharge. They often occur due to tissue injury during implantation. Signs of conception before the delay appear extremely rarely. These include mild nausea, dizziness, appetite disturbances and increased sensitivity of the mammary glands.

The information provided by the constructed measurement graphs will be more reliable, if used in conjunction with other characteristics. During the release period, mucous discharge appears and libido increases.

Correct basal temperature measurement makes it possible to control the processes occurring in the female body. Violations of measurement techniques lead to the fact that all manipulations become useless.

The most common way for us to measure temperature is in the armpit. But not everyone knows that this value does not characterize the true body temperature.

During the day, the human body is exposed to many factors that can cause temporary temperature fluctuations. Therefore, the most informative is body temperature at rest, which is otherwise called basal temperature. It is measured rectally (in the rectum).

During the menstrual cycle they are cyclical and depend on the level of female sex hormones. If daily measurements are plotted on a graph, a defined curve will be obtained at the end of the cycle.

Based on the analysis of this curve, the doctor will be able to make an assumption about the patient’s fertility or identify some hidden diseases.

But most importantly, basal temperature measurements are often taken to determine pregnancy.

Daily monitoring of basal temperature allows you to identify:

egg maturation;
favorable and unfavorable times for conception;
time of onset of menstruation;
hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle;
some gynecological diseases.

Indicative only if at least 3 menstrual cycles are carried out, and measurements are carried out in compliance with certain conditions.

Which thermometer to choose: conditions for correct BT measurements

To measure basal temperature you need to use a separate thermometer.

It is best to use a regular mercury thermometer, since the data from other types of thermometers are less accurate.

It must be prepared in advance, placed on the bedside table.

The thermometer should be positioned so that you can take it in the morning without getting out of bed.

The data from the previous measurement must be reset in the evening, because in the morning this will lead to unnecessary hand movements. This may negatively affect the accuracy of the measurement. After use, the thermometer must be wiped thoroughly.

Daily measurements should be carried out using the same thermometer.

If for some reason the thermometer was replaced by another, a special note must be made about this in the table with the results.

Rules for taking measurements

In order to provide reliable information to the doctor, it is important to know how to correctly measure basal temperature at home.

Any deviation from them can have an impact on what numbers the woman ultimately sees on the thermometer. Even tenths of a degree matter, so for accurate diagnosis it is necessary to approach the measurement process as responsibly as possible.

When measuring basal temperature daily, the following rules should be strictly followed:

the procedure is performed every morning at the same time (the permissible error is no more than half an hour);
measurements begin on the first day of the menstrual cycle;
It is best to measure basal temperature with a regular thermometer;
the thermometer is inserted into the anus to a depth of 3-4 cm immediately after waking up;
you cannot get out of bed, roll over, sit up, or engage in any other activity;
the body must be at rest for at least 6 hours before starting the measurement;
The duration of the thermometer in the rectum is at least 5 minutes.

Basal temperature cannot be measured during the day or evening. In this case, the data will be uninformative.

The resulting value must be immediately entered into a special table. It should contain columns indicating the date, day of the cycle, temperature values, the nature of daily discharge (heavy, scanty, transparent, and so on).

Based on the table data, a graph of changes in basal temperature is built. The days of the cycle are marked on the horizontal axis of the graph, and the measurement results are marked on the vertical axis.

It can be done manually - on a lined sheet of paper, or you can install a special application that will generate the curve yourself.

Factors affecting the reliability of the results

Uncharacteristic fluctuations in basal temperature are possible in the following cases:

taking a significant dose of alcohol the day before;
use of hormonal contraceptives or intrauterine device;
sexual intercourse less than 6 hours before measurement;
taking medications (sedatives, sleeping pills, hormonal drugs). For example, when taking or may be lower or, conversely, higher than normal. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body.
insufficient duration of night sleep (less than 6 hours);
flights, stress, unusual physical activity;
diseases (flu, any infections, etc.).

Any of these factors may cause measurement error. Therefore, it is necessary to add a “Note” column to the table for entering measurement results. It needs to record all the reasons that may affect the accuracy of measurements.

The method of monitoring basal temperature is available and safe, but is not reliable enough due to possible measurement errors.

Monitoring internal body temperature is one of the additional diagnostic methods, therefore it is impossible to draw a conclusion about a woman’s health and her ability to conceive only on the basis of analysis of graphs.

To make a correct diagnosis, additional tests and examinations must be prescribed.