What does the basal chart look like? Normal basal temperature chart

Having figured out what BT is and how to measure it, let's move on to the topic of basal temperature chart. Let's find out how to build it correctly and what can be analyzed based on the results of this graph.

What happens to BT during one cycle

During each menstrual cycle, a woman’s BBT changes under the influence of certain hormones.

In the first phase, when the egg grows and matures, estrogen activity predominates. At this stage, BT is considered “low”, and this period is called hypothermic. A day or two before the onset of BT reaches its lowest value (36.7-36.9).

When ovulation occurs, the corpus luteum begins to work at the site of the ruptured follicle, which produces the pregnancy hormone progesterone. It affects the thermoregulation structures and BT begins to increase.

After the release of the egg, the second half of the menstrual cycle begins, the stage of “high” temperature or hyperthermic rise of the curve. It is characterized by low estrogen levels and high progesterone levels.

The temperature difference between these two periods can be 0.5-1 degrees. During bleeding during menstruation, BT fluctuates within 37 degrees, and then begins to decrease and this two-phase cycle repeats again.

The figure shows what a normal basal temperature graph looks like.

How to create such a schedule yourself

In order to draw a graph of basal temperature, the patient will need a special form or a pre-prepared template, where she will enter the results obtained daily. You can print such a template by downloading it from the Internet, or draw it yourself by hand.

The figure shows what a template for plotting a graph looks like.

Every day at the same time in the morning, a woman takes BBT measurements and records them in this table. The table takes into account not only the measurement results; additional information must be entered in a separate column about what could have caused an unscheduled increase or decrease in BT, for example, alcohol intake or a viral infection.

After completing one cycle, the woman connects the points obtained and, together with a specialist, analyzes the results of the graph.

Important! Considering that even normally a woman experiences anovulatory cycles, BBT measurements should be carried out for at least 3-4 months in a row to monitor the dynamics of the process.

How to Evaluate Basal Temperature Charts

Let us recall once again what the calendar of an ideal two-phase schedule looks like.

Now let’s look at examples of various deviations from the norm in the first and second phases and find out what they can mean.

Lack of estrogen and progesterone

In these situations, in the second phase, either there is no increase in the curve or it is very weak by 0.3-0.4 degrees.

If such results are constantly recorded, then this may indicate a problem in the body, which leads to secondary infertility.

Important! A woman can conceive a child even with this pathology, but low progesterone levels can cause spontaneous miscarriage. Therefore, even pregnant women should understand their BT schedule.

Insufficiency of the second phase in the II-phase cycle

A calendar with such a schedule is characterized by a short second period, and the curve of the schedule begins to rise only before menstrual bleeding. This happens when progesterone production is disrupted.

Anovulatory cycle

It is characterized by the absence of changes in the graph curve in both the first and second phases. The egg does not leave the follicle and, accordingly, conceiving a baby is impossible.

Normally, once a year or less often a woman may experience this situation, but its repetition for several months in a row indicates the presence of pathology in the body.

Atypical curve graphics

The calendar shows the ups and downs of the graph curve, which are not typical for any type. It happens with a lack of estrogen and under the influence of random causes (virus, medications, etc.).

What causes high temperature in the first phase

We found out that the first period is a phase of low values ​​(36.7-36.9), let’s consider in what situations a deviation from the norm may be observed:

• insufficiency of female hormones (estrogens). At this time, estrogens have a predominant effect. If their synthesis is reduced, then in the first phase BT may rise above the usual values, and in the second phase it continues to increase and remains at an elevated level as progesterone begins to work;
• inflammatory processes in the ovaries. Inflammation can cause an abnormally high curve in the first phase. It is very easy to miss on such a graph because the rise in temperature due to inflammation is mistakenly confused with ovulation, and then the true temperature peak during ovulation is missed. The picture shows what this might look like;

• inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometriosis). This process is characterized by the absence of a decrease in temperature after menstrual bleeding, and it continues to remain at a high level (37.1-37.3). The first period begins with an elevated temperature, which gradually decreases and rises again at the time of ovulation;
• during pregnancy. If the egg has been fertilized successfully, the corpus luteum continues to intensively produce progesterone, which maintains a high temperature at the time when, according to calculations, the first period should begin. Measurements of an increase in BT in the first phase are accompanied by a delay in menstrual bleeding.

Important! One-time increases or decreases in temperature are unlikely to signal inflammation. It cannot begin and end in one day. Such errors are most likely due to incorrect measurement of BT or other random reasons.

Why is there low temperature in phase II?

The second phase, unlike the first, is considered a period of high temperature values ​​(37.1-37.3 degrees). Let's look at when BT does not increase in the second phase:

Correct construction and analysis of BT charts helps to suspect the presence of various pathological processes and calculate the time of favorable days for conception. This research method is simple, but diagnostically inaccurate, so if you have any doubts, you should consult a doctor for additional examination

Previously, it was believed that it was possible to determine a possible pregnancy, ovulation or gynecological disease only after passing a huge number of tests.

Today, such a myth will help dispel a simple basal temperature chart that any woman can independently draw up. He will not give an exact answer, like a doctor, but he will show him and you what is happening to the female body. This article will provide graphs of basal temperature with examples and explanations, as well as why basal temperature is needed and what it means.

• when you can’t get pregnant for many months;
• risk of possible infertility;
• hormonal disorders.

In addition, measuring BT helps increase the chances of successful conception and the ability to plan the gender of the child. A template or sample basal temperature chart can be downloaded online.

Many women do not take basal temperature measurement seriously, believing that it is a mere formality that is of no benefit. However, this is not the case. Thanks to the BT readings, the doctor can determine the following points:

• establish how the egg matures;
• determine the ovulatory period;
• approximate date of next menstruation;
• It is not uncommon for BT readings to determine possible endometritis.

It is necessary to measure BT over 3 cycles, this will provide more accurate information about the date of favorable conception. An experienced gynecologist will help you decipher the graph readings. You can also see an example of basal temperature graphs on the Internet online.

Thermometer for measuring BT

For the measurement, one type of thermometer is used; it is not changed during the measurement. Thus, it will be possible to see the norm or deviations on the basal temperature graph.

A mercury thermometer measures the temperature within 4-5 minutes, and an electronic one 2 times faster. Do not forget to wipe the device with an antiseptic before and after each measurement and let it dry before use.

Correct BT measurement

Accurate and effective plotting requires compliance with certain rules:

• BT measurement should be daily, if possible, during menstruation or at the time of respiratory illness;
• Temperature measurements are taken in the rectum, mouth or vagina. The main rule is that the measurement location does not change throughout the entire cycle. Doctors still strongly recommend measuring vaginal temperature. If BT is measured rectally or vaginally, then the narrow part of the device is carefully inserted into the desired location for 3-4 minutes;
• You need to measure BT immediately in the morning after waking up without getting up, this is a strict rule, and at the same time. Measuring basal temperature an hour after sleep or during the day may not give accurate results;
• The measurement is carried out only in a lying position. Therefore, you will need to prepare your thermometer in the evening and place it next to your bed. If you need to go to the toilet, you will also have to wait a couple of minutes here. Excessive activity will give unreliable results;
• After measuring BT, readings are taken immediately. If this was done after 2-5 minutes, then the result is considered invalid;
• keep in mind that intimate relationships in the evening or in the morning, as well as flights, too active sports and colds may incorrectly affect the correctness of the basal temperature result;
• BT must also be measured after 4 hours of continuous sleep.

BT information table

The table for determining BT should include the following items:

• day of the month, year;
• cycle day;
• measurement result;
• additionally: here you need to indicate all the parameters that can affect BT. These include: vaginal discharge, having sex the day before, allergic reactions, viral diseases, taking medications, etc.

A detailed description of these factors will help the doctor most accurately determine the time of conception. If desired, a basal temperature chart can be downloaded from any medical website related to gynecology.

Changes in BT relative to the cycle

Note that BT changes depending on the cycle, or rather its time.

So, during the first phase of the cycle, when only the maturation of the egg occurs, BT is low, gradually dropping to a minimum, then it rises again. The difference between the highest and lowest BT is from 04 to 0.8 degrees.

If measured at the time of menstruation, the temperature will be exactly 37 degrees, and after ovulation ends it rises to 37.1-37.1 under the influence of progesterone.

If the graph showed that BT in the first phase is much higher than in the second, then there is a clear lack of estrogen. You may need to take hormonal medications. In the case when the second phase is characterized by a low temperature in relation to the first, then we are talking about low progesterone.

When both cycles are persistent, this indicates ovulation has occurred. If in the second phase there is no increase in BT, then most likely there was no ovulation, i.e. the egg did not come out.

The BT chart is a fairly convenient and modern way to determine ovulation, which is an integral part of planning a successful pregnancy. The results of basal temperature will also be useful before going to the gynecologist.

Explanation and examples of BT charts

When the graph is constructed correctly and the woman followed all the recommendations in its preparation, it allows not only to determine the presence of ovulation, but also possible pathologies of the genital area.

On the graph you can see an overlapping line that is drawn on top of six temperature values, precisely in the first phase. This is what a normal basal temperature graph looks like, without pathologies or deviations. We do not take into account only those days where the result could be distorted under the influence of taking medications, viral diseases, sexual contact the day before, etc.

Effects of ovulation

To determine ovulation, you need to use standard rules:

pay attention to the midline and 3 BT results, the difference in two out of three cases should be at least 0.1 degrees. If these are the results in the table, then after 1-2 days you will be able to observe a clear ovulation line.

Duration of the second phase

As we found out, the BT graph is divided into two phases, we can see this in the photo above, where the vertical line is located. The normal cycle in the second phase is from 12 to 17 days, but most often 15.

As practice shows, quite often there is a deficiency in phase 2. If you note that this phase is 8-10 days shorter, then this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.

If we talk about the BT norm, then its difference between the first and second phases is about 0.4-0.5 degrees, but no more.

Two-phase cycle and its norm (normal two-phase schedule)

On this graph, it is necessary to note an increase in BT by no more than 0.4 degrees.

If you look at the example graph above, you can see that 2 days before ovulation, BT decreases.

Hormonal deficiency: progesterone estrogen

With this deficiency, you will notice a significantly weak rise in BT, and the difference in the first and second phases will be no more than 0.2 degrees. When a similar phenomenon is observed for more than three cycles in a row, then we can talk about serious hormonal imbalances. As for pregnancy itself, it can occur, but at the same time there is a high risk of miscarriage.

Also, do not forget about anovulatory cycles. This can happen in a woman’s life up to three times a year. However, if the number of such cycles exceeds 3-4, then this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.

In the graph below you can clearly see the absence of ovulation:

Hormonal deficiency: estrogens

If at the end of the graph, a woman observes large differences in BT, and the line itself is in a chaotic state, then we can talk about a lack of estrogen.

A deficiency of this hormone can also be noticed by an increase in temperature in the second phase to 37.2, sometimes to 37.3.

Note that the increase in temperature is very slow and can last up to 5 days. In this case, it cannot be said that this basal temperature will be perceived by the doctor as normal.

Below in the graph you can see how estrogen deficiency manifests itself:

Every woman should monitor her health. To do this, you need to visit a gynecologist once every six months, if there are no deviations in your health. Many diseases in the initial stages of development can be asymptomatic.

To determine possible malfunctions in the functioning of the systems of the female body, it is recommended to draw a graph of basal temperature. Any physiological and pathological changes can be revealed by the measurements taken.

The concept of basal temperature

Basal temperature (BT) is the temperature of the body's blood during sleep. It is measured in the rectum. It can also be detected in the vagina or mouth. But cyclic fluctuations can be shown by rectal temperature. This occurs due to the peculiarities of the blood supply to the ovaries. Other measurement methods are also capable of capturing cyclical fluctuations, but only when they are pronounced.

Only rectal temperature can determine subtle changes in heat exchange in the ovarian vein. You need to understand two things:

1. If there is no opportunity (or desire) to regularly measure BT rectally, it is better not to use this method at all.
2. The basal (rectal) temperature chart is not used to make a diagnosis or prescribe treatment.

Any deviations from the standards should be discussed with a gynecologist.

Purpose of the method

To correctly understand what basal temperature is, you need to understand why this method is useful. Its main advantage is the ability to clearly define the processes of each phase of the cycle and identify possible deviations in the functioning of the body.

The norm established by medical specialists is an ideal. Each organism has its own characteristics. To take them into account and be able to draw a correct conclusion, observations are carried out for at least 3 months. It is recommended to plot your basal temperature for several reasons:

1. The method allows you to determine the moment of ovulation and highlight days favorable for conception.
2. Rectal temperature changes in a certain way during pregnancy. This suggests that the woman is pregnant in the early stages.
3. Measuring BT helps determine the causes of infertility.
4. Makes it possible to identify the presence of pathologies in the body.
5. With its help you can check the quality of the endocrine system.

However, it is possible to achieve sufficient information content of the method only if the rules for constructing a BT graph are followed. In order to adequately draw it, it is necessary to clearly fulfill a number of requirements.

Data Collection Rules

Rectal temperature is measured according to certain rules. The correctness of the result depends on this. The method has a number of requirements:

1. Data collection is carried out at one time with a maximum deviation of 30 minutes.
2. The thermometer should be prepared in advance so that you do not have to get out of bed. You should move as little as possible, otherwise the temperature will increase by 0.1–0.2 thermometer divisions. This will affect the decoding of the result.
3. Measurements are taken daily, including the menstrual phase.
4. Continuous sleep before the next BT measurement should be at least 4 hours.
5. Illness, stress, increased loads affect the result. Therefore, if there are such facts, notes should be made in the notes.
6. You must use the same thermometer. A mercury device is preferable, although an electronic version can also be used.

All results are immediately recorded in the log. Based on them, a schedule is built.

Plotting a graph

To make data collection results easier to interpret, they are usually presented graphically. Deciphering such information should be done by a qualified specialist. A woman can independently construct such graphs in several cycles.

It is possible to complete the drawing manually or use an online program. This will make the diagnostic process easier for the gynecologist.

Charting technology

All measurements recorded in the log must be presented graphically. If it is preferable to make the drawing manually, you should take a piece of paper in a cell and draw an x-axis (X), on which each cell corresponds to a day of the menstrual cycle. Accordingly, the ordinate (Y) axis is assigned to degrees. One cell is equal to 0.1 thermometer division.

The entire cycle must fit on one sheet. You should not record readings for several periods on one chart. This leads to errors and difficulties during decoding.

A basal temperature of 37.0 is an important cutoff in this study. Therefore, at this level a line is drawn parallel to the abscissa axis. All measurement results are plotted on a graph in the form of points. They are then connected in series. The norm is determined only after several months of research.

There are a large number of programs on the Internet that simplify the process of plotting. The research results are entered online into the appropriate cells. The program will build a smooth graph. This approach is as informative as drawing by hand.

Notes on the chart

Basal temperature in early pregnancy and during the cycle without conception is different. However, to see this difference, you need to do the research correctly.

Any little thing that a woman might not have paid attention to before can affect the result. Therefore, it is necessary to record not only the thermometer readings, but also a number of additional data. Without them, basal temperature in early pregnancy can easily be perceived as an abnormality or go unnoticed altogether. Factors that can influence BT include a number of conditions:

• Diseases with increased general body temperature.
• Intimacy in the evening or at night.
• Drinking alcohol.
• Short period of sleep.
• Unusual measurement time.
• Taking sleeping pills.

A graph of basal temperature can be drawn by omitting single unreliable data. This should be noted in the notes. The type of discharge from the genital tract is also indicated here daily.

With the onset of pregnancy, gynecological diseases, and hormonal imbalances, their nature changes.

Normal chart type

The individual characteristics of a woman’s body affect the appearance of the graph. Each representative of the fair sex has her own norm. However, there are general principles that allow you to understand what your basal temperature should be.

The following statements are considered examples of normal graphs. They are considered in the context of the cycle with conception and in its absence.

Normal schedule for a period without conception

To answer the question of what basal temperature a non-pregnant girl should have, we need to consider the features of the menstrual cycle. It consists of follicular and luteal phases.

During the maturation of the egg, estrogen is produced, and after its release into the fallopian tube, the amount of progesterone in the blood serum increases. From the first day of the cycle (the beginning of menstruation), BT drops to the limit of 36.3–36.5 degrees. It remains this way in the follicular phase.

2 weeks before the expected date of the next menstruation, a sharp increase in indicators is observed. A basal temperature of 37.0–37.2 indicates that ovulation has occurred.

Moreover, the difference between the second and first phases should be 0.4–0.5 degrees.

This process is influenced by progesterone, which is intensely produced in the luteal phase. It prepares the body for a possible pregnancy. If it has not occurred, then 24–48 hours before menstruation, measurements will show a gradual decrease to 36.8–37.0 degrees.

Normal during pregnancy

Many couples are interested in what basal temperature during pregnancy is considered normal. This is a really important indicator. When pregnancy occurs, progesterone is actively produced. He is responsible for the processes of the correct course of this state.

Rectal temperature during pregnancy in the first obstetric weeks is completely identical to the chart without conception having occurred. The normal BBT after ovulation in this case is recognized in the range of 37.0–37.2 degrees.

One of the first signs of successful conception is the absence of a decrease in this indicator before the day of the expected menstruation.

If there is a delay at a high level of the measured indicator, you should consult a doctor. After undergoing an appropriate examination, the gynecologist will be able to accurately diagnose the cause of this condition.

The graph will also clearly show the implantation temperature drop over several days. This is due to the attachment of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity and the hormonal changes that occur. All these factors lead to a temporary recess of the curve on the graph.

Basal temperature during pregnancy remains high, which indicates a sufficient amount of progesterone.

Deviations from the standard schedule

The normal basal temperature indicators are determined after consultation with a doctor. Only a medical specialist, based on the examinations performed, will help to adequately understand the signals of the female body. Deviations in the course of various processes can be caused by various factors.

Hormonal disbalance

Improper production of progesterone and estrogen is shown in the drawing as the absence of a sharp jump in temperature in the middle of the cycle. If ovulation has not occurred this month, the indicator curve will not have any sharp rises or falls. Luteal phase deficiency is characterized by a duration of less than 12 days.

A basal temperature during pregnancy of 36.6–36.9 also indicates insufficient progesterone production. This threatens spontaneous abortion. You need to go to the hospital immediately.

But estrogen deficiency is determined by a high level of temperatures in the follicular phase. If this indicator is above 36.7 before the middle of the cycle, you should consult a medical specialist.

Inflammatory processes

In addition to the hormonal imbalances listed above, the graph may show the presence of inflammatory processes. This situation is reflected in the form of fluctuations in the curve and an increase in temperature.

With inflammation of the appendages, such a picture will not even allow you to determine the moment of ovulation. Sharp declines and rises indicate deviations of an inflammatory nature.

An increase in rectal temperature before the next menstruation allows one to suspect the development of endometritis. The graph will show a slight decrease in the curve in the last days of the cycle, and then its increase to 37.0.

If your period has not started, you may be pregnant. But in its absence, such a condition indicates a possible pathology.

Today, the method of determining basal temperature is recognized as a fairly reliable method for identifying various processes in the body.

By following all the rules for collecting data, a woman can get a true result with a high degree of probability. This will help her gynecologist quickly draw conclusions about the state of her health and, if necessary, take timely measures to prevent the development of pathology.

Basal temperature - This body temperature at rest after at least 6 hours of sleep. During different phases of the menstrual cycle, a woman’s basal temperature constantly changes under the influence of hormonal changes in the female body.

Measuring basal body temperature BT - a simple functional test that every woman can learn at home. The method is based on the hyperthermic (temperature) effect of progesterone on the thermoregulation center located in the hypothalamus.

Why do you need a basal temperature chart?

By drawing up a graph of fluctuations in basal temperature, you can accurately predict not only the phase of the menstrual cycle at a given moment, but also suspect possible deviations from the norm. Let's list what exactly you might need skill of measuring basal temperature in everyday life:

1. If you want to get pregnant and cannot predict when ovulation occurs, a favorable moment for conceiving a child is the release of a mature, fertilizing egg from the ovarian follicle into the abdominal cavity;
or vice versa - you don’t want to get pregnant, thanks to basal temperature (BT) you can predict “dangerous days”.
2. To determine pregnancy in the early stages with a delay in menstruation.
3. By regularly measuring basal temperature, you can determine the possible cause of a missed period: pregnancy, lack of ovulation or late ovulation.
4. If your gynecologist suspects that you have hormonal disorders, you or your partner are infertile: if after one year of regular sexual activity pregnancy has not occurred, the gynecologist may recommend that you measure your basal temperature (BT) to determine possible causes of infertility.

5. If you want to plan the gender of your unborn child.

How to measure basal temperature (BT) correctly

As you can see, correct measurement of basal temperature (BT) helps answer many important questions. Most women know why they need to measure basal temperature (BT), but few know how to conduct the study correctly. Let's try to sort this issue out.

Firstly, you need to immediately understand for yourself that no matter what the basal temperature (BT) values ​​obtained are, this is not a reason for self-diagnosis, and even less so for self-medication. Only a qualified gynecologist should decipher basal temperature charts.

Secondly, there is no need to draw any quick conclusions - basal temperature (BT) needs at least 3 menstrual cycles to more or less accurately answer the questions - when do you ovulate, do you have hormonal disorders, etc. d.

Basic rules for measuring basal temperature (BT)

1. It is necessary to measure basal temperature (BT) from the first day of the menstrual cycle (from the first day of menstruation), otherwise the graph will not reflect the full dynamics of changes.

2. You can measure basal temperature (BT) in the mouth, vagina or anus, the latter is more preferable. Many gynecologists believe that the rectal method is more reliable and produces fewer errors than all others. You need to measure the temperature in the mouth for about 5 minutes, in the vagina and rectum for about 3 minutes.
If you measured your basal temperature (BT) in one place, then the next time you take a measurement, the location of the thermometer and the duration of the measurement cannot be changed. Today in the mouth, tomorrow in the vagina, and the day after tomorrow in the rectum - such variations are not appropriate and can lead to false diagnosis. Basal temperature (BT) cannot be measured under the armpit!

3. You need to measure your basal temperature (BT) at the same time, preferably in the morning, immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed.

4. Always use the same thermometer - digital or mercury. If you use mercury, remember to shake before use.

5. Write down the results immediately, and make notes if there was anything that day or the day before that could affect basal temperature (BT): alcohol intake, flight, stress, acute respiratory infections, inflammatory diseases, increased physical activity , sexual intercourse the night before or in the morning, taking medications - sleeping pills, hormones, psychotropic drugs, etc. All these factors can affect basal temperature and make the study unreliable.

When taking oral contraceptives, measuring BT makes no sense!

Thus, to create a complete graph of fluctuations in basal temperature (BT), you will need to mark the indicators:
- date of the calendar month;
- day of the menstrual cycle;
- basal temperature indicators;
- the nature of discharge from the genital tract on a certain day of the cycle: bloody, mucous, viscous, watery, yellowish, dry, etc. It is important to note this to complete the picture of the chart, since during ovulation the discharge from the cervical canal becomes more watery;
- notes as necessary for a specific day: we enter there all the provoking factors listed above that may affect the change in BT. For example: I took alcohol the day before, didn’t sleep well, or had sex in the morning before the measurement, etc. Notes must be made, even insignificant ones, otherwise the resulting graphs will not correspond to reality.

In general, your basal temperature records should look something like this in table form:

Date Day mts BT Highlights Notes

July 5 13th 36.2 Watery, transparent Drank wine the day before
July 6 14th 36.3 viscous, transparent _________
7 July 15th 36.5 white, viscous _________

Normal basal temperature chart

Before you start drawing up a basal temperature (BT) chart, you need to know how the basal temperature should normally change under the influence of hormones?

A woman’s menstrual cycle is divided into 2 phases: follicular (hypothermic) and luteal (hyperthermic). In the first phase, the follicle develops, from which the egg is subsequently released. During this same phase, the ovaries intensively produce estrogens. During the follicular phase, BT is below 37 degrees. Next, ovulation occurs in the middle of 2 phases - approximately on days 12-16 of the menstrual cycle. On the eve of ovulation, BT drops sharply. Further, during ovulation and immediately after it, progesterone is released and BT increases by 0.4-0.6 degrees, which serves as a reliable sign of ovulation. The second phase - luteal, or also called the corpus luteum phase - lasts about 14 days and if conception has not occurred, it ends with menstruation. During the corpus luteum phase, very important processes occur - a balance is maintained between low levels of estrogen and high levels of progesterone - thus the corpus luteum prepares the body for a possible pregnancy. During this phase, basal temperature (BT) usually remains at 37 degrees and above. On the eve of menstruation and in the first days of the cycle, basal temperature (BT) again drops by approximately 0.3 degrees and everything starts all over again. That is, normally, every healthy woman should have fluctuations in basal temperature (BT) - if there are no rises and falls, then we can talk about the absence of ovulation, and as a result, infertility.

Let's look at examples of basal temperature (BT) graphs, what they should be normally and in pathology. The graph of basal temperature (BT), which you see below, reflects two normal physiological states that a healthy woman can have: 1-lilac curve - basal temperature (BT), which should be during a normal menstrual cycle, ending with menstruation; 2- light green curve - basal temperature (BT) of a woman with a normal menstrual cycle, ending in pregnancy. The black line is the ovulation line. The burgundy line is the 37 degree mark, used for clarity of the graph.

Now let's try to decipher this basal temperature graph. Please note that a mandatory sign of basal temperature (BT) is normally a two-phase menstrual cycle - that is, both the hypothermic and hyperthermic phases should always be clearly visible on the graph. In the first phase, basal temperature (BT) can range from 36.2 to 36.7 degrees. We observe these fluctuations on this chart from days 1-11 of the cycle. Further, on the 12th day, BT sharply drops by 0.2 degrees, which is a harbinger of the beginning of ovulation. On the 13-14th day, a rise is visible immediately after the fall - ovulation occurs. Then, in the second phase, the basal temperature (BT) continues to rise by 0.4-0.6 degrees compared to the first phase - in this case, up to 37 degrees, and this temperature (marked with a burgundy line) remains until the end of the menstrual cycle and before the start menstruation drops on the 25th day of the cycle. On the 28th day of the cycle, the line is interrupted, which means that the cycle has ended and a new menstrual cycle has begun. But another option is also possible - the light green line, as you can see, does not fall, but continues to grow to 37.1. This means that most likely a woman with a light green line on the basal temperature (BT) chart is pregnant. False-positive results of measuring basal temperature (an increase in basal temperature in the absence of the corpus luteum) can occur with acute and chronic infections, as well as with some changes in the higher parts of the central nervous system.

Important to know when charting your basal temperature!

1. Normally, the menstrual cycle for a healthy woman ranges from 21 to 35 days, most often 28-30 days, as in the graph. However, for some women, the cycle may be shorter than 21 days, or, conversely, longer than 35. This is a reason to contact a gynecologist. Perhaps this is ovarian dysfunction.

2. The basal temperature (BT) chart should always clearly reflect ovulation, which divides the first and second phases. Always immediately after a pre-ovulatory drop in temperature in the middle of the cycle, a woman ovulates - on the graph this is the 14th day, marked with a black line. Therefore, the most optimal time for conception is the day of ovulation and 2 days before it. Using this chart as an example, the most favorable days for conception will be days 12, 13 and 14 of the cycle. And one more nuance: you may not detect a pre-ovulatory decrease in basal temperature (BT) immediately before ovulation, but only see an increase - there is nothing wrong with that, most likely ovulation has already begun.

3. The length of the first phase can normally change - lengthen or shorten. But the length of the second phase should not vary normally and is approximately 14 days (plus or minus 1-2 days). If you notice that your second phase is shorter than 10 days, this may be a sign of insufficiency of the second phase and requires consultation with a gynecologist. In a healthy woman, the duration of the 1st and 2nd phases should normally be approximately the same, for example 14+14 or 15+14, or 13+14 and so on.

4. Pay attention to the temperature difference between the average values ​​of the first and second phases of the graph. If the difference is less than 0.4 degrees, this may be a sign of hormonal disorders. You need to be examined by a gynecologist - take a blood test for progesterone and estrogen. In approximately 20% of cases, such a monophasic graph of basal temperature BT-without a significant temperature difference between the phases is a variant of the norm and in such patients the hormones are normal.

5. If you have a delay in menstruation, and the hyperthermic (increased) basal BT temperature lasts more than 18 days, this may indicate a possible pregnancy (light green line on the graph). If menstruation does occur, but the discharge is quite scanty and the basal BT temperature is still elevated, you urgently need to see a gynecologist and take a pregnancy test. Most likely these are signs of an incipient miscarriage.

6. If the basal BT temperature in the first phase rose sharply for 1 day, then fell - this is not a sign of concern. This is possible under the influence of provoking factors that affect changes in basal temperature (BT).

Now let’s look at examples of graphs of basal BT temperature for various gynecological pathologies:

The schedule is monophasic, i.e. almost without significant temperature fluctuations of the curve. If the rise in basal temperature (BT) in the second phase is weakly expressed (0.1-0.3 C) after ovulation, then these are possible signs of a lack of hormones - progesterone and estrogen. You need to have a blood test for these hormones.

If ovulation does not occur and the corpus luteum produced by progesterone does not form, then the basal temperature (BT) curve is monotonic: there are no pronounced jumps or falls - ovulation does not occur, and accordingly, a woman with such a basal temperature (BT) curve cannot become pregnant. An anovulatory cycle is normal for a healthy woman if such a cycle occurs no more than once a year. Accordingly, during pregnancy and lactation, the absence of ovulation is also the norm. If all of the above does not apply to you and this situation repeats from cycle to cycle, you definitely need to contact a gynecologist. The doctor will prescribe you hormonal treatment.

The basal temperature of the BT increases several days before the end of the cycle due to hormonal deficiency and does not decrease immediately before menstruation; there is no characteristic preovulatory retraction. The second phase lasts less than 10 days. It is possible to get pregnant with such a basal temperature (BT) schedule, but there is a high probability of miscarriage. We remember that normally the hormone progesterone is produced in the second phase. If the hormone is synthesized in insufficient quantities, BT rises very slowly and the pregnancy may be terminated. With such a basal temperature (BT) schedule, it is necessary to take a progesterone test in the second phase of the cycle. If progesterone is low, then hormonal drugs - gestagens (Utrozhestan or Duphaston) must be prescribed in the second phase. For pregnant women with low progesterone, these drugs are prescribed for up to 12 weeks. If the drugs are abruptly stopped, a miscarriage may occur.

In the first phase, the basal BT temperature under the influence of estrogens remains within the range of 36.2-36.7 C. If the basal BT temperature in the first phase rises above the indicated mark and if you see sharp jumps and rises on the graph, then most likely there is a lack of estrogen. In the second phase we see the same picture - ups and downs. On the graph, in the first phase, the basal temperature of the BT rises to 36.8 C, i.e. above normal. In the second phase there are sharp fluctuations from 36.2 to 37 C (but with a similar pathology they can be higher). Fertility in such patients is sharply reduced. For the purpose of treatment, gynecologists prescribe hormonal therapy. Having seen such a graph, there is no need to rush to draw conclusions - such a picture can also be observed with inflammatory gynecological diseases, when everything is in order with estrogens, for example, with inflammation of the appendages. The graph is presented below.

You can see in this graph with sharp declines and rises that, due to the inflammatory process, it is problematic to determine when ovulation occurred, since the basal BT temperature can increase both during inflammation and during ovulation. On the 9th day of the cycle, we see a rise, which can be mistakenly taken for an ovulatory rise, but this is most likely a sign of the onset of an inflammatory process. This basal temperature (BT) chart once again proves that you cannot draw conclusions and make diagnoses based on the basal temperature (BT) chart of one cycle.

We remember that at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the basal body temperature is lowered. If the temperature at the end of the previous cycle decreased, and then sharply rose to 37.0 with the onset of menstruation and does not decrease, as can be seen in the graph, we may be talking about a serious disease - endometritis and you urgently need treatment from a gynecologist. But if you have a delay in your period and your basal BT temperature remains elevated for more than 16 days from the start of the rise, you are probably pregnant.

If you notice that during 3 menstrual cycles you have stable changes in the graph that do not correspond to the norm, you need to consult a specialist.

So, what should alert you when compiling and deciphering basal temperature (BT) charts:

Charts of basal temperature (BT) with low or high temperature throughout the entire cycle;
- cycles less than 21 days and more than 35 days. This may be a sign of ovarian dysfunction, clinically manifested by bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Or there may be a different picture - the cycle is always lengthened, which is expressed in constant delays in menstruation by more than 10 days, while there is no pregnancy;
- if you observe a shortening of the second phase according to the graphs;
- if the graphs are anovulatory or the manifestations of ovulation are not clearly expressed on the graph;
- graphs with high temperature in the second phase for more than 18 days, while there is no pregnancy;
- monophasic graphs: the difference between the first and second phase is less than 0.4 C;
- if the BT charts are absolutely normal: ovulation occurs, both phases are full, but pregnancy does not occur within a year with regular unprotected sexual activity;
- sharp jumps and rises in BT in both phases of the cycle.

If you follow all the rules for measuring basal temperature, you will discover a lot of new things. Always remember that you do not need to draw any conclusions on your own based on the obtained graphs. This can only be done by a qualified gynecologist, and then only after additional research.

Obstetrician-gynecologist, Ph.D. Christina Frambos.

It is useful for every girl who is planning a pregnancy to know how to keep a basal temperature (BT) chart. This is not difficult, but the process requires a lot of patience, because you will have to mark your BT every day for at least two to three months. It is better to analyze the resulting graphs together with a gynecologist. However, using this method, even without a doctor, you can learn a lot about your health and ability to conceive. Our article, written together with an obstetrician-gynecologist, will help you with this.

What is basal temperature

Basal temperature and body temperature are not the same thing. BT is measured not in the armpit, but in the vagina, mouth or (most often) in the anus. This is not the temperature of the surface of the body, but the temperature of the internal organs. Basal temperature changes noticeably even with slight changes in the level of some female hormones.

Body temperature depends little on the day of the monthly cycle, but BT changes noticeably when changing phases of the cycle. That is why obstetricians-gynecologists and women themselves have been drawing up BT charts for several decades to find out how the reproductive system works.

The method was invented in the 50s of the 20th century in Great Britain. Professor Marshall discovered that the hormone progesterone (one of the main hormones of the female reproductive system) can significantly influence the temperature of the female body. Basal temperature can be used to accurately determine fluctuations in hormone levels. And since the amount of progesterone changes throughout the cycle, using the BT schedule you can understand at home how the ovaries work.

BT will even help tell you whether conception has occurred. Of course, you will receive a clear answer to this question only after a delay with the help of special tests or analyses. But the chart will tell you that pregnancy is not excluded.

However, you should not think that a “thermometer in the butt” is a mandatory part of the program for all women who want to get pregnant. Not at all. When planning a pregnancy, measuring your basal temperature is completely optional. It is much more important to undergo at least a minimal medical examination by a gynecologist and therapist - tests for infections, levels of major sex hormones, a general blood test, etc.

But there are situations when the method of measuring basal temperature will be really useful:

1. If you fail to get pregnant within 6-12 months. If the “experience” is less, there is absolutely nothing to worry about yet. You just have to keep trying. If it is more, we can already talk about infertility, and you need to undergo a serious examination by a doctor. But in this time period, the chart will help you navigate when ovulation occurs (and specifically “work” on a future pregnancy on these days). BT will also help you make sure that your reproductive system is working correctly.
2. If your doctor recommended that you measure your BT. This method is not the main one in diagnosis, but as an auxiliary method it has been used for a long time and successfully. For example, it will help your doctor figure out whether your dominant follicle is maturing and whether you are ovulating. However, as a rule, the doctor asks the patient to supplement the BBT measurement with ovulation tests. And keep in mind that no doctor has the right to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment only on the basis of BT charts! This is an additional research method, but nothing more;
3. If you are in a hurry to get pregnant and want to know exactly when your fertile days are.

Should I trust this method?

Let’s make a reservation right away: many modern doctors consider this method outdated. Just 10 years ago, scheduling BT was a mandatory part of the examination of patients who had difficulty conceiving.

Now a number of doctors have abandoned this study in favor of other - more accurate and less painstaking - methods. For example, (special ultrasound) and ovulation tests.

Indeed, in some situations the BT chart will be inaccurate and may be misleading:

• If you measure the temperature incorrectly;
• If you measure BT for only one month. The only graph is uninformative. It is necessary to carry out measurements at least three cycles in a row;
• If you have a chronic or acute disease (not necessarily related to gynecology);
• if you have hypo- or hyperthyroidism (thyroid disease);
• You are taking sedatives or hormonal medications

and in some other situations.

However, if done correctly, BT can still serve as a free but valuable diagnostic tool.

Of course, you yourself should not make any diagnoses or take medications based on the BT schedule. This is an inaccurate method, and self-medication is unacceptable!

How to measure basal temperature correctly

There are three main ways to measure basal temperature:

• in the mouth (orally);
• in the vagina (vaginally);
• in the anus (rectally).

Each of them has its pros and cons, while the third method is considered the classic and most accurate. Refrain from experiments: if you start measuring in your mouth, continue until the end of the cycle. In the next cycle, if the measurement method seems inconvenient, it can be changed.

You can measure basal temperature with either a regular (mercury) thermometer or an electronic thermometer, but it must be of high quality and accurate. After all, if you have, for example, a sore throat, then it doesn’t really matter what your temperature is - 38.6 or 38.9. But when measuring BT, every tenth of a degree carries a lot of meaning. The mercury thermometer is held for 6-7 minutes, the electronic one - until the signal is given, plus 2-3 minutes, this will be more accurate. You should not change the thermometer during one cycle. For hygiene reasons, the thermometer should be wiped with alcohol after measurement.

BT is measured early in the morning immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed and without even moving (the thermometer must be shaken off in advance and placed on the nightstand next to the bed, but not under the pillow). It is important that you get at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep (without going to the toilet or getting water) before waking up.

The main rule for measuring basal temperature is to keep the thermometer in a lying position, in a relaxed state, almost half asleep, without moving. Write down the result (graph) immediately - it’s easy to forget.

If you couldn’t measure it in the morning, there’s no point in doing it in the afternoon. After all, during the day the basal temperature is unstable, it jumps depending on the emotional state, physical activity, food, etc.

Why does the schedule go wrong?

Some conditions can affect your basal temperature and make the chart unreliable. Continue measuring BT, but note those days when the following circumstances were in effect:

• ARVI or other viral and bacterial diseases with fever;
• taking certain medications, such as hormonal or sedatives. When taking oral contraceptives, ovulation is suppressed, so measuring BBT is generally pointless;
• injuries, surgical interventions, including minor ones (for example, you had a tooth pulled out);
• stress, insomnia;
• drinking alcohol;
• indigestion;
• moving, flying, especially with a change in time zones;
• sexual intercourse

When analyzing the graph, you need to make adjustments for these factors.

How to build a graph

To plot your basal temperature chart, click on this template and save it to your computer (and fill it out right there) or print it.

Click to enlarge the template. Download it to your computer and fill it out right there. Or print and fill out by hand.

The numbers in the top column are the days of the menstrual cycle (not to be confused with the days of the month). Every day after measuring your temperature, put a dot in the appropriate box. To create a graph, at the end of the cycle, connect the points sequentially with a line.

After the graph is completed, you need to draw a closing line. To do this, you need to look at the temperature values ​​on days 6 to 12. A line is drawn above them. This line is a service line, it is needed only for clarity.

Below, in the empty field, you can make notes. For example, “from 12 to 15 dc - a tooth hurt, the temperature rose.” “Day 18 of the cycle is very stressful.”

What should be a normal basal temperature?

Normally, basal temperature changes throughout the entire cycle, and the graph turns out to be two-phase.

The duration of the cycle and the length of each phase are different for each woman, so we give approximate, indicative figures.

During menstruation, BT is usually 36.7-37 degrees. When the bleeding stops, the temperature drops slightly. In the first phase of the monthly cycle (from 1 to 10-15 days), a woman has high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. Immediately after menstruation, the normal basal temperature is low. In a healthy woman it rarely rises above 36.6.

Before ovulation it may decrease slightly. And after ovulation it rises to 37 and above. The difference between the phases is 0.4-0.8 degrees.

Normally, basal temperature may drop slightly before your period. If this does not happen, this may indicate both individual characteristics and a possible pregnancy.

Here is an example of a basal temperature chart.

If your graph is similar to the one in the picture, then most likely you are ovulating and your ovaries are working correctly. If there are deviations, if there is no clear rise in temperature in the second phase of the cycle, this may indicate (although not necessarily) some hormonal problems.

How to determine ovulation on a schedule

By how the basal temperature changes, you can calculate ovulation - that important moment when the egg is released from the ovary and fertilization is possible. A normal basal temperature chart involves fairly sharp fluctuations. Before ovulation, BT decreases slightly, and then, during ovulation, it rises quite sharply. On the graph, at least three points in a row must be above the covering line. The ovulation line is drawn vertically - it separates low temperatures from high ones.

If, for example, BT was 36.5, and then the basal temperature was 37, then this means that ovulation occurred. If you are planning to conceive, you should have sex two days before, during, and two days after ovulation.

But keep in mind that you should not use this information as a method of contraception. The “dangerous days” method is extremely unreliable. It gives a high percentage of spontaneous pregnancies. If you use contraception only on “dangerous days,” be prepared for the fact that you will become pregnant within a year with a probability of 10-40 percent (this variation is due to the fact that the risk was analyzed using different methods).

The unreliability of the “dangerous days” method is due to the fact that viable sperm can “survive” in the female genital tract for several days. And wait for the ovulated egg. In addition, the method of measuring basal temperature cannot determine ovulation with one hundred percent accuracy.

BT for various pathologies

Basal temperature can tell you whether a woman is healthy and even help with making a specific diagnosis.

We publish examples of basal temperature charts with explanations.

Anovulatory cycle

If the graph is monotonous, if there is no rise in temperature in the second phase, we can talk about the absence of ovulation and that this cycle and. That is, the dominant follicle does not mature or matures, but for some reason does not burst. Accordingly, a mature egg is not released, and conception cannot occur in this cycle. Normally, each woman has from 2 to 6 anovulatory cycles per year (the older the woman, the more there are). But if such a picture is observed for several months in a row, this may be a source of problems with conception. We need to see a doctor.

Estrogen-progesterone deficiency

If there is a rise in temperature, but it is small (01-0.3 degrees), this may indicate a deficiency in the corpus luteum phase (estrogen-progesterone deficiency). In this situation, ovulation occurs, fertilization may even occur, but the level of hormones is insufficient to support pregnancy. This condition is corrected with hormonal medications (they must be prescribed by a doctor).

Short second phase

(after ovulation) is normally 12-16 days. If it is shorter than 10 days, this may indicate a failure of the second phase. A ovulated egg, even if fertilized, will not be able to penetrate the endometrium, and pregnancy will not occur. In this case, deciphering the basal temperature chart will not be difficult: pregnancy is problematic. See your doctor.

The duration of the first phase is not so important: it depends on the individual characteristics of the woman and has little effect on the ability to conceive.

Estrogen deficiency

If BT is high in the first phase (36.7-37 degrees), this may mean that you lack estrogen - important female hormones. If this condition is confirmed by tests, then it needs to be corrected with special medications.

Inflammation

Also, high temperature in the first phase can be triggered by inflammation of the appendages or other gynecological inflammatory diseases.

Signs of an inflammatory disease

Attention: these graphs can only suggest problems! This is not a diagnosis or a reason to take medication.

What abnormalities should you report to your doctor?

monotonous graphs, when the temperature is higher or lower than 37 throughout the entire cycle, with temperature differences being less than 0.4 degrees;

• too short monthly cycle (21 days or less);
• the monthly cycle is too long (more than 36 days);
• if there is no clear ovulation on the chart, and this picture is observed for several cycles in a row;
• if sharp, unsystematic jumps in BT are observed during the cycle. However, this condition can be explained by various external and internal factors that affect temperature (alcohol intake, stress, somatic diseases, etc.);
• if the schedule is normal, but the desired pregnancy does not occur within 12 months.

BT during pregnancy

If at the very end of the cycle the temperature does not decrease, but remains high (37 degrees or above), there is a chance that you are pregnant. Normally, it will remain at a level of 37-37.5 throughout the first trimester. A sharp decrease may be random, or may mean complications during pregnancy. There is no need to panic, but it is better to contact your gynecologist.