The basal temperature chart is normal for a cycle of 30. What does the basal temperature chart look like during ovulation? Measurement of basal body temperature during ovulation

After the completed conception, the female body immediately begins to undergo some changes that occur according to a certain plan. Thanks to clear physiological rules, it is possible to predict possible fertilization even before the delay of menstruation, and also to check whether your pregnancy is proceeding normally. This can be done using the usual measurement of basal temperature (BT). Its level is significantly affected by a sharp surge and a decrease in the concentration of sex hormones. Let's look at the principles of measurement and the rules for deciphering the obtained basal temperature standards from the moment of planning to the end of gestation.

Basal body temperature is called, measured in conditions of complete rest immediately after waking up. Its level changes cyclically during the menstrual cycle under the influence of two main hormones - estradiol and progesterone.

In gynecology, the BBT schedule is considered an indicator of women's health. The study of several graphs can determine whether a woman has a normal hormonal background, whether there are inflammatory pathologies, whether ovulation is normal and whether it exists at all.

At the planning stage, BT allows you to "catch" ovulation without special expensive tests or diagnostic ultrasound. But the effectiveness of the technique is observed with regular measurement of BT with adherence to the prescribed rules for the procedure.

The principle of determining BT is based on temperature fluctuations, based on the phases of the female cycle. As you know, the cycle consists of two phases, and ovulation serves as the equator between them. The essence of observations comes down to the daily entry of temperature indicators into a simple graph. In the first half, the temperature is low, and in the second, under the influence of progesterone, higher.

Ovulation is characterized by a sharp drop in temperature - the temperature drops, and on the second day it rises rapidly. And with the approach of menstruation, it begins to decrease again. If fertilization has occurred, the graph will display a consistently elevated basal temperature during pregnancy, until the delay it will exceed 37⁰С. In the absence of fertilization, BBT before menstruation will drop to 36.7⁰С or even lower.

In obstetric practice, BT scheduling is used if:

• Absence of pregnancy for more than 12 months without obvious reasons.
• It is necessary to establish the correspondence of hormone production with respect to the phases of the menstrual cycle.
• Clarification of the present pathology of the hormonal background of a woman is required.
• It is necessary to calculate favorable days for conception, when it is not possible to constantly live a sexual life.
• There is a suspicion of a latent course of endometritis.
• It is necessary to establish the fact of fertilization before the delay due to the possible threat of interruption against the background of alarming symptoms (brown discharge, pain in the lower abdomen).

Important! If there is no temperature jump in the ovulatory period, and the difference between the average BT of the two phases is less than 0.4⁰С, then the woman has hormonal pathologies and ovulation does not occur.

How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy

Accurate BBT is obtained by rectal insertion of a thermometer into the anal lumen. Manipulation should be carried out daily at the same time. Which thermometer to use is your personal decision, the main thing is to do it according to the rules.

How to measure basal temperature during pregnancy:

• BBT should be monitored in the morning. At the same time, it is forbidden to sit down abruptly, leave the bed. The sleep preceding the measurement should be more than 6 hours. Frequent awakening at night will make the morning temperature uninformative.
• In the daytime, BT changes a lot. This is influenced by activity, feelings, fatigue. Therefore, BBT is measured in the morning, while the body is still “sleeping”. And it is pointless to check the basal temperature during pregnancy in the evening, since the result will be unreliable.
• The duration of the procedure is 5-6 minutes. In the case of using an electronic thermometer, you need to keep it for another 3-4 minutes after the beep.
• It is better to start recording the temperature from the first cyclical day, otherwise it will be impossible to assess the ratio of indicators between the phases. If the measurement is carried out in order to diagnose the hormonal background, it will take at least three months to draw competent conclusions.
• All received figures should be noted on a special chart.

Important! The basal temperature chart during pregnancy will be uninformative if it was compiled during an acute illness, or against the background of stress, alcohol abuse, taking hormonal pills, frequent flights and trips. Also, BBT indicators will be false if they are obtained less than 6 hours after intercourse.

Norms of basal temperature during pregnancy

The whole cycle is based on a certain BT dynamics. To understand whether pregnancy has occurred, you need to navigate in the usual indicators before conception and after it:

• The follicular phase lasts approximately 11-14 days, but this is only a guide, because every woman has a different cycle. To navigate the phases, count two weeks from the last day of the cycle and get the approximate date of ovulation. Under the condition of a normal state of health, BT in the first half ranges from 36.1 to 36.8⁰ C.
• The moment of ovulation is the climax: the egg is released from the proovulated follicle, which is accompanied by a sharp production of hormones. The graph shows a jump in BT to 37.0 -37.7⁰С.
• Then comes the luteal phase, which lasts until the onset of menstruation. At this stage, the temperature remains high, and only a few days before menstruation begins to decrease by 0.3-0.5⁰С. If such a decrease does not occur, there is a high probability that fertilization has occurred.

Advice! The level of BBT during gestation is very individual and in some women pregnancy proceeds well even at 36.9⁰С. For this reason, there are no clear indicators of what the basal temperature should be during pregnancy. Therefore, the only diagnostic criterion is the absence of a decrease in BBT after ovulation.

In order for a fertilized egg to be able to fully implant into the endometrium and develop further, the body creates special conditions for this. To do this, he begins to produce progesterone in large quantities. This hormone provokes a persistently high BBT, which remains elevated until a certain period.

Depending on the characteristics of the hormonal system in different women, the basal temperature during early pregnancy is 37.0-37.4⁰С. Such values ​​indicate that the pregnancy is developing well and there is no threat of miscarriage. In individual cases, BT can even rise to 38⁰С, which is also considered normal.

Pathological basal temperature after conception: causes of deviations

The basal temperature during gestation does not always correspond to the prescribed norms. There are exceptions, because the female body is different for everyone. In some cases, there is no reason to worry, and minor deviations are considered a variant of the norm. Unfortunately, the predominant number of cases of pathological fluctuations in BT is caused by various complications during pregnancy.

Basal temperature with a threat of miscarriage

Instead of an ovulating follicle, a corpus luteum appears. It produces a huge amount of progesterone, which ensures the safety of the fetus. If a woman had hormonal problems even before conception, the resulting corpus luteum may not function correctly. As a result, progesterone deficiency develops, which causes the risk of termination of pregnancy.

On the BBT chart, such a pathology is very difficult to miss: the temperature is kept at a too low level below the 37⁰С line. Therefore, if the basal temperature is 36.9 during pregnancy, it is necessary to determine and eliminate the cause of this condition.

A very high level of BT can also indicate a possible termination of pregnancy. Thus, a temperature of 38⁰С is often caused by an inflammatory process in the uterine cavity, which can provoke egg rejection. A one-time rise is rarely a threat to the fetus, but if such an indicator holds positions for more than three days, you need to see a gynecologist.

Basal temperature during a frozen pregnancy

When the embryo stops developing, the corpus luteum begins to regress and progesterone production stops. As a result, BT gradually drops to the level of 36.4-36.9⁰С. By the way, low temperature does not necessarily indicate the fading of the fetus. There is a high probability of measurement errors or the aforementioned condition of progesterone deficiency. Therefore, do not rush to self-diagnose yourself before visiting the doctor.

Advice! It happens that anembryony (embryo freezing) has occurred, and the temperature is consistently high, so it is not necessary to focus only on BT indicators. With uncharacteristic pains, pathological discharge, poor health, you should immediately visit a gynecologist.

Basal temperature during ectopic pregnancy

A fetal egg implanted in the fallopian tube does not block the work of the corpus luteum. For this reason, progesterone is fully produced and the BT schedule looks quite normal. That is why it is simply impossible to judge an ectopic pregnancy only by the numbers of basal temperature.

However, as the embryo grows, an inflammatory process develops in the fallopian tube, which provokes an increase in BT. On the graph, the temperature can rise even above 38⁰С. But at this stage, other symptoms also indicate the presence of ectopic implantation - acute abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and sometimes internal bleeding.

How to correctly compose and decipher a BT schedule: a detailed guide

It is easy to draw a chart for maintaining a basal temperature on a piece of paper, or you can print a ready-made template.

The graph shows several values ​​at once:

• Menstrual cycle by day (from 1 to 35 days, depending on the length of your cycle).
• Daily temperature readings.
• Special notes (poisoning, stress, insomnia, SARS, etc.)

For the BT record, the table is marked up as follows:

• A checkered sheet is divided into two axes: the X axis is the day of the cycle, the Y axis is the BT indicator.
• An indicator is indicated daily, all points are connected by a line.
• A solid line is drawn through the six upper indicators in the first phase, with the exception of the days of menstruation, then the line continues until the end of the second cycle.
• On the day of the expected ovulation, a vertical line is drawn.

To understand what a temperature chart might look like, see how the basal temperature fluctuates during pregnancy in the photo:

The figure clearly shows ovulation, an increase in BBT in the second phase. On the 21st day of the cycle, a jump in temperature is noticeable as a result of the implantation of a fertilized egg, and from the 28th-29th day the third phase begins - the gestational one. Pregnancy can also occur at a low basal temperature. Even if the BBT does not rise above 36.8⁰С, and the delay has been present for several days, you need to go to the doctor.

This photo shows a graph with full-fledged cycle phases inherent in a healthy woman outside of pregnancy. In the first phase, BT confidently stays below 37⁰С, after ovulation it begins to grow and remains at this level for 11-14 days, and three days before menstruation, it begins to return to its original values.

The next type of BBT schedule is anovulatory. The follicle does not grow, does not ovulate, and the egg, accordingly, has nowhere to come from. Throughout the cycle, it can be seen that BT randomly “jumps” without a regular change in values ​​​​and an ovulatory jump. In appearance, the graph resembles a monotonous straight line, the points of which range from 36.4⁰С to 36.9⁰С. Such a schedule is quite possible once or twice a year and is considered the norm. But if such a picture appears regularly, the woman definitely has gynecological or endocrine problems.

It is possible to determine the deficiency of estrogen according to the schedule. For this reason, in the first phase, there is a pathological increase in BBT up to 37.4⁰С. In the follicular phase, a large amount of estrogens should be produced, which suppress BBT to a level below 36.5⁰С. The lack of estrogen also causes a high temperature in the second cycle (above 37.5 ° C), which is in no way associated with ovulation and conception.

It is not entirely correct to judge the state of women's health or the onset of pregnancy according to the BT schedule, because there is a risk of false indicators if the rules for measuring temperature are not followed. And the influence of all external factors is also impossible to completely exclude. Therefore, plotting serves as an additional diagnostic tool.

Now you know how to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy, so you definitely won’t have any difficulties. Accurately measure BBT, keep a schedule and then you will definitely guess about your pregnancy even before the delay.

Video "Top 5 Rules for Accurate Basal Temperature Measurement"

Norm

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

The menstrual cycle in a woman is divided into 2 phases: follicular (hypothermic) and luteal (hyperthermic). In the first phase, the follicle develops, from which the egg is subsequently released. In the same phase, the ovaries intensively produce estrogens. During the follicular phase, BT is below 37 degrees. Then ovulation occurs - in the middle of 2 phases - approximately on the 12-16th day of the menstrual cycle. On the eve of ovulation, BBT drops sharply. Further, during and immediately after ovulation, progesterone is released and BT rises by 0.4-0.6 degrees, which is a reliable sign of ovulation. The second phase - luteal, or it is also called the corpus luteum phase - lasts about 14 days, and if conception does not occur, then menstruation ends. In the phase of the corpus luteum, very important processes take place - 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. In this phase, the basal body temperature (BT) is usually kept at around 37 degrees and above. On the eve of menstruation and in the first days of the cycle, the basal body temperature (BT) again drops by about 0.3 degrees and everything starts anew. That is, normally, every healthy woman should have fluctuations in basal temperature (BT) - if there are no ups and downs, then we can talk about the absence of ovulation, and as a result, infertility.

Consider examples of basal temperature (BT) graphs, as they should be in normal and pathological conditions. The basal temperature (BT) chart 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, we will end in pregnancy. The black line is the ovulation line. The burgundy line is a mark of 37 degrees, it serves for visualization of the graph.

Now let's try to decipher this chart of basal temperature. 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, BBT drops sharply by 0.2 degrees, which is a harbinger of the onset of ovulation. On the 13-14th day, a rise is visible immediately after the fall - ovulation occurs. Further, 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) is kept until the end of the menstrual cycle and before the start menstruation falls - on the 25th day of the cycle. On the 28th day of the cycle, the line breaks, 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 a woman with a light green line on the basal temperature (BT) chart is most likely pregnant. False-positive results of measuring basal temperature (an increase in basal temperature in the absence of a 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 in a healthy woman is 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 vice versa, longer than 35. This is a reason to contact a gynecologist. Maybe it's ovarian dysfunction.

2. The graph of basal temperature (BT) should always clearly reflect ovulation, which divides the first and second phases. Always immediately after the pre-ovulatory temperature drop in the middle of the cycle, a woman ovulates - on the chart 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 preovulatory decrease in basal temperature (BT) immediately before ovulation, but only see an increase - there is nothing to worry about, 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 have noticed that the second phase is shorter than 10 days, this may be a sign of insufficiency of the second phase and requires a 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 averages 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 BT-basal temperature chart 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 temperature of BT lasts more than 18 days, this may indicate a possible pregnancy (light green line on the graph). If menstruation has nevertheless come, but the discharge is rather meager and at the same time the basal temperature of BT is still elevated, you urgently need to contact a gynecologist and take a pregnancy test. Most likely, these are signs of a miscarriage that has begun.

6. If the basal temperature of BT 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).

Basal temperature is the body temperature at rest, when you can calculate the state of the gonads and the system as a whole. It shows the lowest temperatures that are observed only at rest. This helps many women understand what phase she is in. Correct measurements and schedule during the cycle help determine the period of ovulation, when you can conceive a child or, conversely, have unprotected sex without consequences.

There are three consecutive phases of the menstrual cycle:

1. Follicular.
2. Ovulation.
3. Luteal.

At each stage, a different level of hormones is noted, which is displayed on the basal temperature. To get accurate data, it is necessary to make accurate measurements in the rectum, vaginally or.

Measurement rules

The main measurement rules, which are noted on the site site, are noted as follows:

1. Do a temperature measurement after waking up no more than 30-60 minutes later.
2. The duration of sleep before measurements should be at least 3 hours. A shorter rest period can skew performance.
3. Take measurements at the same time.
4. Measure the temperature in the supine position, do not sit down.

If you measure the temperature later, you can make a mistake. Records should make notes at what time the measurements were taken. Every hour the temperature rises by 0.1 degrees.

The same thermometer should be used throughout the cycle in order to obtain more accurate data. It is better to use a digital thermometer that makes a sound when the measurement is completed. However, when using a mercury thermometer, keep it for 5 minutes. At the same time, it is not advisable to rise or move sharply.

It is better to take measurements throughout the month, including monthly days, in order to make a schedule.

BT chart

The basal temperature (BT) graph is drawn from the beginning of the last period to the start of a new period, and then a new one is drawn. The dividing line is the period of ovulation, when the egg is released from the ovary. She divides the stages into before and after. Ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle - on days 12-16.

The average cycle time is 28 days. This is the period from the beginning of the bleeding of the previous menstruation to the first day of bleeding of the next. In some cases, this period is extended to 35 days. Sometimes the last point in the BT chart is 21 days.

What does the BT chart show?

1. Ovulation days, which allows you to determine when to conceive.
2. Causes of infertility that only a doctor can identify.
3. Causes of delay or alleged menstrual flow.
4. To identify sexual diseases, for example, endometritis.

First phase

The follicular first phase is also called hypothermic, while the luteal is called hyperthermic. By the names it becomes clear that in the first period the body temperature is slightly lower, and in the second - increased. In the follicular phase, a follicle is formed in which the egg matures. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries. The normal temperature during this period is up to 37 ° C. This is favorable for pregnancy.

Elevated temperatures during this period become the reasons why conception does not occur. If in the first phase the temperature is kept at around 37 degrees, and the basal temperature on the 17th day reaches 37.5 degrees, then insemination becomes problematic, even if the sperm has entered the female reproductive system.

Second phase

Ovulation is difficult to detect. In the second phase, the temperature decreases, and the next day it rises by 0.4-0.5°C. She stays like this until her monthly period. On average, the second phase lasts 14 days.

A decrease in basal temperature during implantation indicates the activation of estrogen, hormones that affect the temperature inside the reproductive system. This decrease occurs for several hours, and then rises again.

The duration of the luteal phase can be short - 10-12 days, which indicates its insufficiency and inability to bear the fetus. A longer phase may indicate the occurrence of a cyst in the corpus luteum or the onset of pregnancy. Only a doctor can decipher the data.

Ovulation occurs somewhere in the middle of the cycle. Sometimes it may not happen at all. Its presence is indicated by an increase in temperature.

Indicators in the first phase

In the first phase, estrogens prevail, which control the temperature of the reproductive system. Normal indicators are 36.2-36.5 ° C. If during this period the temperature rises to 36.5-36.8 ° C, then this indicates an insufficient level of estrogen. In this case, gynecologists prescribe hormone therapy.

If the increase in temperature during the follicular period occurred within one day, then you should not worry. No pathologies can occur during such a period. Deviations should not be judged by a single indicator, but by the entire schedule, which is drawn up repeatedly.

Indicators in the second phase

The second phase can also be marked by high temperatures. This is indicative of an estrogen deficiency. After the release of the egg from the follicle, the temperature rises to 37 ° C or more, which prevents conception. The mark of 36.8 degrees is very rare.

Rectal measurements exceed those in the first phase by 0.4 degrees. This is considered normal. Less significant differences indicate the presence of problems that should be addressed.

Every woman's body is unique. It doesn't have to meet exact criteria. Sometimes a high or low temperature is a feature, not a disease. Measurement methods should also be taken into account. Differences of 0.2 degrees are quite normal.

Impact factors

It is necessary to take into account the factors influencing the BT indicators. They are:

• Drinking alcohol.
• Sexual intercourse before dawn or at night.
• Inflammation in the legs.
• Stress.
• Various diseases.
• Sleep with a heating pad under an electric blanket.

These factors should be noted in your notebook, where the BT schedule is kept. Gynecologists advise taking daily measurements for at least 3 months, which will help to reveal more accurate data and features.

If a woman wants to more accurately determine the day of ovulation, then she should take daily measurements and put them in a notebook for six months, or better, a year. In this case, you should refuse to take hormonal drugs and the contraceptive spiral. Only the use of a condom is allowed.

Rising temperature as an indicator of pregnancy

All manipulations are done for the sake of conception. A rising temperature may be an indicator that pregnancy has begun. This becomes clear when there is a high temperature from the moment of ovulation until the onset of menstruation (when they should go). It rises to a mark of 37 ° C or more degrees and does not subside. This indicator becomes unambiguous if such a high temperature is noted in the period before the onset of menstruation and their delay.

In the second phase, BBT can also be high in the absence of pregnancy. It rises to the level of 37 degrees and above and holds. Its decrease occurs the day before the onset of menstruation. Accordingly, if there is a delay, and BT is high, then we can talk about pregnancy. Therefore, one should focus not only on pregnancy tests, but also on internal temperature indicators.

Gynecologists recommend waiting for a delay so that breast disease and high fever before menstruation are not misleading. These factors are normal before normal menstruation. However, a delay in combination with such symptoms may already indicate the onset of pregnancy.

Temperature change in other processes

You should listen to your body. A situation may arise when a change in temperature indicates other processes, for example, a miscarriage. In this case, menstruation is scanty, and BBT is high. You should take a pregnancy test and visit a gynecologist.

An increase in basal temperature on day 22 and the absence of a fall before or on the first day of menstruation may be an individual feature or indicate inflammatory processes in the body.

If BBT falls on day 25, then this indicates an upcoming menstruation. Everything in a woman's body is normal.

Forecast

Basal temperature, of course, can help a woman determine the days of ovulation and even find out in advance that she is pregnant, but such indicators are not always unambiguous. The prognosis largely depends on a combination of many factors, and not just body temperature at rest.

It is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the organism. You can find out about them if you keep a BT schedule for several months. According to the indicators, it will become clear what is inherent in a particular female body in each phase and before menstruation. Also, you should not prematurely rejoice in pregnancy if BBT is high before the onset of menstruation.

Various factors affect a woman's body. The seasonality of the year should be taken into account, which also affects the state of general health. After taking measurements for six months or a year, you can draw some conclusions. It is better to review the schedule with a gynecologist who takes into account many factors. This will help either to conceive a child, or to get rid of female problems that prevent pregnancy.

• Normally, 2-4 days before the onset of menstruation, BT begins to decrease and reaches 37.0-37.1 by the 1st day of the cycle. Then, during normal menstruation, BBT continues to decline, despite the amount of blood released.
• If a woman has a hidden current inflammation of the uterine mucosa (endometritis) or the uterus itself (endomyometritis), then during menstruation, BT will go UP, sometimes reaching 37.5-37.6 at normal temperature in the armpit.
• The rise in BBT in the last 1-2 days of menstruation (if it lasts at least 4-5 days) may indicate inflammation of the tubes or (much less often) the cervix - without affecting the uterus itself.
• A sharp rise in BBT for one day during menstruation does not mean anything: inflammation cannot start and end so quickly.

Is it necessary to measure BBT during menstruation?

BBT measurements can be started both from the 1st day of the menstrual cycle, and on the day the discharge stops (a matter of your convenience).

What should be the BT in the first phase?

• Normally, the temperature of the first phase is kept within 36.5-36.8.
• But often on the graphs, estrogen deficiency is visible, which is expressed by a high level of BT in phase 1. In such cases, doctors prescribe estrogens, such as Microfollin. But only in the case when these suspicions were confirmed by a hormonal blood test.
• Another unusual phase 1 schedule occurs in the presence of inflammation of the appendages. After an exacerbation during menstruation, the inflammation may subside, but from time to time give a small, purely local exacerbation, which is reflected in the basal temperature. BBT can rise to 37.0-37.2 for 1-2 days, and then decrease again.

What could be the reason for unexpected temperature rises in the first phase?

Stress, travel, alcohol intake, colds with fever, sex in the evening (especially in the morning), measurement of BBT at an unusual time, late going to bed (for example, went to bed at 3 o'clock, and measured at 6 o'clock), sleepless night and many other things affect BT. Eliminate "unusual" temperatures by connecting normal readings with a dotted line. Try to establish and note in the graph the possible cause of the deviation.

What should be the BT in the second phase?

• Normally, the temperature of the second phase rises to 37.2-37.3. But more important is the difference in average temperatures (read below).
• A low temperature in the second phase (relative to the first) may indicate insufficient function of the corpus luteum (progesterone). To support the second phase (and pregnancy), an additional intake of progesterone is prescribed (most often - Utrozhestan or Duphaston) - but only if these suspicions are confirmed by a hormonal blood test.
• Approximately 2-4 days before the onset of menstruation, BT begins to decrease and by the 1st day of the cycle reaches 37.0-37.1.
• If BBT rises at the usual time, but then does not fall before menstruation, stays above 37.0 for almost the entire menstruation, and decreases in the last days or after the end of menstruation, then this is suspicious of a pregnancy that aborted during the days of menstruation.
• If BBT in the second phase is not high (36.9-37.0), and by the time of menstruation it begins to rise and stays above 37.0 throughout menstruation, then most likely it is an inflammation of the appendages.

If the temperature of the second phase is not high enough (there is no difference of 0.4 degrees), does this mean that I have a deficiency in the second phase?

Perhaps, but not necessarily. BT does not provide any information about the usefulness of the function of the corpus luteum - neither about the length of the phase (the temperature can rise even a few days after ovulation), nor about the level of progesterone produced by the corpus luteum (the thermometer readings do not allow determining the quantitative level of progesterone in the blood - to assess the level progesterone need to take a blood test a week after ovulation).

On what day relative to the rise in temperature does ovulation occur?

Before ovulation, the temperature drops, and after it, it rises. A rise in basal temperature means that ovulation has already occurred.

A drop in temperature at the time of ovulation occurs only in a very small number of women. Since a sharp drop in temperature is extremely rare, this sign cannot be absolutely reliable in determining the ability to conceive, therefore, it is better to use the other two signs to determine the approach of ovulation.

If the schedule does not show ovulation, does this mean that it was not there or do I have problems with hormones?

The BT measurement method is very unreliable! In no case can you rely on it when diagnosing any disorders or when prescribing hormonal drugs! In cases where there is no obvious second phase on the graphs, it is necessary to carry out ultrasound monitoring, and in the presence of ovulation by ultrasound, take a blood test for progesterone a week after ovulation, if the results of both studies are normal, such graphs can be considered a "feature" of the body and stop measuring temperature, if it is not indicative;

Is there more than one ovulation per cycle?

Cases where two (or more) eggs are released from the ovaries during one cycle constitute a very small percentage of the total number of ovulations. However, this output always occurs within 24 hours. Multiovulation leads to the birth of twins.

If the schedule is perfect, does this mean that there was an ovulation? Does this mean that you can accurately guess the day of ovulation?

The method does not provide accurate information about the presence of full-fledged ovulation even in the presence of two-phase schedules (for example, in the case of premature luteinization of the follicle), as well as accurate information about the timing of ovulation that has occurred (the temperature may rise the next day, and a few days after ovulation - this is in normal range),

What should be the temperature difference between the first and second phases?

• The difference between the average BBT of the second phase and the average BBT of the first phase should be at least 0.4-0.5. Except in cases where a small temperature difference is only a feature of the woman's body, and not an indicator of the presence of any disorders. This is usually checked by additional methods of examination - ultrasound, blood test for hormones, etc.
• If throughout the cycle the temperature on the graph is kept approximately at the same level or the graph looks like a “fence” (low temperatures constantly alternate with high ones), and not two-phase, then this means that in this cycle there was most likely no ovulation - anovulation. To confirm this fact, it is necessary to conduct ultrasound monitoring for several cycles to determine the presence or absence of ovulation. In healthy women, several anovulatory cycles per year are allowed, but if such a picture is observed in all cycles, you should consult a doctor. In the complete absence of ovulation, a woman does not have full menstruation - only "menstrual-like bleeding" (which can be either regular or irregular).

How many days should the ascent be?

Normally, the rise takes no more than 3 days. A more gentle rise reflects a lack of estrogen and weakness, inferiority of the egg. Fertilization in a cycle when BBT is high in the first phase, and the rise takes more than 3 days is very problematic.

What is the duration of the phases and why is the cycle always different?

The first phase (preceding ovulation) can be very different in duration, both in different women, and the same. Usually, the length of this particular phase of a woman's cycle affects the delay in menstruation - for example, if the maturation of the follicle is slower or does not occur at all. The second phase (after ovulation) is not the same for different women (from 12 to 16 days), but is almost constant for the same one (plus or minus 1-2 days).

• The lengthening of the first phase of the cycle is not a typical phenomenon, but this does not affect the normality of the cycle. A cycle with an extended first phase is normal.
• If the second phase is shorter than 12 days, then this is a sign of insufficiency of the second phase, low progesterone levels.

What BT indicates the onset of pregnancy?

• If there is no menstruation, and BT is kept within the second phase for more than 18 days, this indicates a possible pregnancy.
• You can be sure of the onset of pregnancy if the level of high temperatures persists for 3 days more than your usual corpus luteum phase. For example, if it is usually 12 days (maximum 13), but once it lasts 16 days, then almost
• If a third level of temperature appears during a normal two-level cycle, then you are almost certainly pregnant. This third level of temperature occurs due to the additional progesterone in the body of a pregnant woman. Unfortunately, however, not all women have such a three-level schedule.
• If menstruation is scanty or unusual, and BBT is kept at an elevated level, pregnancy is possible against the background of the threat of interruption.
• If BBT rises at the usual time, but then does not fall before menstruation, stays above 37.0 for almost the entire menstruation, and decreases in the last days or after the end of menstruation, then this is suspicious of a pregnancy that aborted during the days of menstruation.

When does implantation take place and how does BT behave at this time?

Implantation of the fetal egg occurs on the 6-8th day. It happens that at this time the temperature drops by 1, a maximum of 2 days. When you see a drop in temperature in the middle of the luteinization phase on your graph, this does not mean that you are pregnant. Moreover, such a picture is not required during pregnancy.

Is it necessary to measure BBT while taking OK or other hormonal drugs?

BBT should not be measured while taking OK - under the influence of the hormones taken, it will not be indicative.

Charting a basal temperature is one of the methods for assessing the work of the reproductive system, which is available to almost every woman.

Maintaining a schedule and deciphering it requires compliance with certain rules and subtleties, otherwise there is a high probability of obtaining distorted results.

Keeping a graph of basal temperature allows you to determine the correct functioning of the female ovaries and identify a number of problems that affect the ability to conceive a child.

The chart can be used to determine:

• egg maturation time;
• in a particular cycle or its absence;
• favorable and unfavorable days for conception;
• the presence of hormonal problems;
• diseases of the pelvic organs;
• the reason for the delay of the next menstruation.

The measurement results will be informative only if the graphs were kept for at least three menstrual cycles.

Some gynecologists observe for at least six months to make an accurate diagnosis. For a correct interpretation it is necessary. Otherwise, the graph data will not be representative.

Building a BT schedule during pregnancy

The method of basal temperature charting is becoming more common due to its availability. All you need is a thermometer, a checkered notebook and a pencil.

Basal temperature is measured in the anus daily, immediately after waking up. The obtained value is entered into the table and marked on the graph.

The graph reflects the daily results of measurements during the menstrual cycle (not a month). A normal cycle is 21 to 35 days. The beginning of the cycle is considered the first day of menstruation (and not its completion, as some people think).

Each menstrual cycle should have its own basal temperature curve.

On the vertical axis of the graph, degrees are marked (1 cell = 0.1 ° C), on the horizontal axis - the days of the cycle and the date corresponding to this day. The obtained temperature value is marked on the graph with the corresponding point, after which the neighboring points are connected to each other. Thus, a curve of basal temperature changes during the cycle is built.

Factors that may affect the reliability of the measurement should be noted against the corresponding day of the cycle.

These include ailments, alcohol intake, sex shortly before measurement, insomnia, stress, moving. Unusual temperature jumps caused by these factors can be eliminated from the curve.

Deciphering the different types of graphs with examples: high, low and normal temperature

The graph reflects the dependence of basal temperature on the phases of the menstrual cycle. In the first phase, which is called the follicular, the maturation of several follicles occurs. This period passes under the influence of estrogen, the temperature value varies between 36.4-36.8 ° C.

The first phase takes about half of the cycle. At this time, one of the several follicles remains, the maturation of the egg occurs in it.

Then the follicle bursts and the egg is released from the ovary, that is, ovulation occurs.

Before ovulation, basal temperature drops to its minimum.

The second phase of the cycle begins, in which a corpus luteum appears in place of the bursting follicle. Its cells synthesize a hormone, under the influence of which there is a jump in basal temperature by 0.4-0.8 ° C. This phase is called the luteal phase.

If conception does not occur during the cycle, the level of progesterone drops, and the basal temperature decreases slightly 2-3 days before the upcoming menstruation.

Normal biphasic schedule

The graph of basal temperature in a healthy woman has clearly demarcated phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular with a low basal temperature and luteal, which is distinguished by an increase in temperature. Before ovulation and the onset of menstruation, there is a drop in temperature.

The graph is divided into phases by the ovulation line. The follicular phase is a curve segment from the first day of the cycle to ovulation, the luteal phase is from ovulation to the end of the cycle. The duration of the first phase of the cycle is an individual feature of each woman and there are no clear requirements for it. The second phase should normally last 12-16 days.

If for several months of observation the length of the luteal phase does not fit into this range, a consultation with a gynecologist is necessary. This may indicate the insufficiency of the second phase.

In a healthy woman, the duration of each phase should not vary significantly with different menstrual cycles.

Normally, the average temperature difference between cycle phases should be 0.4 °C or more.

To determine it, it is necessary to add up all the values ​​​​of the basal temperature in the first phase and divide by the number of days of the phase. Similarly, the average value of the basal temperature in the second phase of the cycle is calculated.

Then the first one is subtracted from the second received indicator; the result obtained characterizes the difference in average temperatures. If it is below 0.4 ° C, this may be a sign of the presence of a hormonal imbalance in the body.

Basal body temperature chart at conception

If conception occurred in the menstrual cycle, then the basal temperature in the second phase behaves somewhat differently. It is known that after ovulation, BBT normally stays above 37 ° C. However, in a cycle when pregnancy occurs 7-10 days after ovulation, the temperature drops below 37 ° C. There is a so-called implantation retraction.

estrogen deficiency

In the case of estrogen deficiency, there is no division of the cycle into clear phases on the graph, since low estrogen levels provoke an increase in temperature in the follicular phase of the cycle. The curve is chaotic, it is impossible to determine the date of ovulation.

Conception in this case is unlikely, it is necessary to seek the advice of a gynecologist. If estrogen deficiency is confirmed after additional examinations, the patient will be prescribed hormonal treatment.

Anovulatory cycle

In the absence of ovulation, the graph looks like a monotonic curve without division into phases. In the second phase of the menstrual cycle, the basal temperature remains low and does not exceed 37 ° C. In such a cycle, the formation that synthesizes progesterone does not occur, so the basal temperature does not increase in the second half of the cycle.

A couple of anovulatory cycles per year is a variant of the norm, but if the situation repeats for several months in a row, you should consult a doctor. Pregnancy without ovulation is impossible, so you need to find the root of the problem together with a gynecologist.

The average temperature difference between cycle phases is 0.2-0.3 °C. If such graphs are built for several cycles in a row, this may be a sign of infertility due to hormonal disorders.

If the corpus luteum does not function effectively and does not produce the required amount of progesterone, the temperature in the second phase of the cycle rises slightly. At the same time, the duration of the second phase is reduced to 10 days and there is no drop in basal temperature before the onset of menstruation.

In case of insufficiency of the corpus luteum, fertilization of the egg is possible, but the risk of its rejection in the same cycle is high.

To confirm the diagnosis, a woman needs to take a blood test for progesterone.

The diagnosed insufficiency of the corpus luteum is corrected by taking artificial analogues of progesterone ("" or "") in the luteal phase of the cycle.

Prolactin is the hormone responsible for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Normally, in a non-pregnant woman, it is absent or its level is extremely low.

If for certain reasons it rises, the basal temperature graph becomes identical. In this case, there may be a lack of menstruation.

Inflammation of the appendages

The presence of an inflammatory process can be suspected by a jump in temperature in the first segment of the graph. There is a high basal temperature in the first phase of the cycle.

It rises sharply to 37 ° C and drops sharply after a few days. Such a jump can be mistaken for an ovulatory rise in temperature, so it can be difficult to determine the onset of ovulation with this type of schedule.

endometritis

Normally, with the advent of critical days, the basal temperature should decrease. With endometritis (inflammation of the uterine mucosa), there is a drop in temperature before the onset of menstruation and its rise to 37 ° C in the first phase of the menstrual cycle.

Basal temperature charting is an affordable and safe method for determining favorable and unfavorable days for conception. But due to its high sensitivity, it requires a responsible and competent approach, otherwise keeping a schedule loses its practical meaning.

Even if the graph is plotted correctly, it must be remembered that the final diagnosis is never made only on the basis of the analysis of the curve data. Any diagnosis must be confirmed by tests and additional studies.