Because of what the basal temperature rises. Basal body temperature chart. The essence of the method of basal thermometry

The graph of basal temperature during pregnancy reflects the direct dependence of rectal indicators on the influence of hormones in different periods menstrual cycle.

  1. Follicular - the first half proceeds under the influence of estrogen. During the period of maturation of the egg, temperature fluctuations are allowed within the range of 36.4–36.8 ° C.
  2. Luteal - ovulation occurs. That is, the bursting follicle is replaced by the corpus luteum, which synthesizes progesterone. An increase in hormone production provokes an increase in temperature by 0.4–0.8 ° C.

In a normal state (before pregnancy), the basal temperature drops slightly before menstruation. A jump in indicators to a minimum downward is noted before ovulation.

An example of a normal two-phase temperature graph:

normal example

The middle (or overlapping) line serves to make the curve easier to read. It is carried out at the points of six temperature values ​​​​before ovulation in the follicular phase.

The first 5 days of menstruation, as well as situations in which external factors influenced, are not taken into account. Consider a photo that shows what a finished chart looks like with real temperature readings during pregnancy:

The woman celebrated every day

The curve shows that BBT does not decrease before menstruation. If against the background of increased rectal temperature there is a delay in menstruation, then the pregnancy took place.

To confirm the findings, it is necessary to conduct a test and come for a consultation with a gynecologist. Be sure to show your temperature chart to your doctor.

Signs of pregnancy and its absence on the BBT chart

At conception, the basal temperature rises. The indicators do not decrease before the onset of menstruation and remain throughout the entire gestation period.

You can determine pregnancy according to the schedule by the temperature jump on the 7-10th day after ovulation - this is the moment the fertilized egg is introduced into the inner lining of the uterus.

Sometimes early or late implantation is observed. This process cannot reliably trace even the most informative survey ultrasound.

A sharp decrease in temperature on the graph in the second phase is called implantation depression. This is one of the first and most frequent signs, which is marked on the basal map with a confirmed pregnancy.

This phenomenon is due to two reasons.

  1. The increased production of progesterone increases the temperature, which gradually decreases closer to the middle of the luteal phase. At conception, the corpus luteum begins to actively synthesize the hormone, which leads to fluctuations in values.
  2. If pregnancy occurs, then there is a release a large number estrogen, which causes a sharp decrease in temperature in the diagram.

Connecting hormones to different functions leads to a shift, which manifests itself in the form of implantation retraction on a personal map.

This phenomenon cannot be reflected by any other study other than the basal temperature curve. Example:

Implant retraction

Please note that with a completed pregnancy, starting from the 26th day of the menstrual cycle, the schedule becomes three-phase. This is due to the increased synthesis of progesterone after implantation of the egg.

Confirmation of the introduction of the embryo may be a slight discharge that disappears in 1-2 days. This is implantation bleeding, which is caused by damage to the endometrium.

Nausea, breast swelling, intestinal disorders and other similar signs are not reliable. There are cases when, even with severe manifestations of toxicosis, pregnancy did not occur.

And, on the contrary, without a single sign, the woman stated the fact successful conception. Therefore, the most reliable conclusions are considered to be a persistent increase in basal temperature, implantation retraction. Another sign is a delay in menstruation, subject to sexual contact during the period of ovulation.

A decrease in temperature before menstruation is a sign of the absence of pregnancy. Fluctuations in rectal numbers can be interpreted in different ways. Not always heat is a sign of pregnancy. This is possible due to inflammation of the appendages.

Each case must be compared with all the changes in the body and confirm your observations in the gynecologist's office.

It is important to record data regularly

Normal basal temperature chart during pregnancy

Keeping a BT calendar is relevant only at the very beginning, that is, in the early stages of gestation. For normal development The fetus in the first trimester needs favorable conditions.

For this, the body of a pregnant woman begins to intensively produce progesterone. This hormone raises the temperature in the reproductive system to create a "warm" environment for the embryo.

Normally, after the onset of egg implantation, the basal temperature figures on the diagram should be in the range of 37.0–37.4 ° C.

However, in some cases, a drop to 36.9 ° or an increase to 38 ° is allowed. Such values ​​may be considered acceptable.

Unusual BT schedules during pregnancy

Normally, the temperature difference between the first and second phases should fluctuate within the allowable 0.4 ° C and above.

How to determine average BT? To do this, it is necessary to add up all the temperature numbers obtained during the measurement, first in period I, dividing the sum by the number of days. Then similar calculations are carried out with indicators of phase II.

Let's look at a few examples that are most common.

Anovulatory cycle

This graph shows a uniform curve without division into periods. It can be seen that BT in the luteal phase remains low, not exceeding 37°C.

In the absence of ovulation, formation is impossible corpus luteum which activates the synthesis of progesterone. There is no upswing.

If a anovulatory cycle repeats periodically, no more than 1-2 times a year, then this is the norm. However, if the situation occurs in a row for 60 days or several months, then it will be difficult to get pregnant on your own.

Next example:

Need to consult a doctor

With estrogen-progesterone deficiency, the rectal temperature chart remains low after ovulation, up to the 23rd day of the cycle. The difference between the average values ​​is a maximum of 0.2–0.3°.

A similar curve built over several MCs indicates a lack of production of hormones important for the development of pregnancy. The consequence of the pathology may be endocrine infertility or the threat of miscarriage in the early stages.

Next example:

Possibly a disease

Endometritis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the body of the uterus. With this disease, the temperature curve reflects a decrease in indicators before menstruation and a sharp rise in values, uncharacteristic for the first phase.

Next example:

The chart is useless here.

This chart shows high performance up to 37° in the first phase. Then there is a sharp decline, which is often mistaken for an ovulatory rise. With inflammation of the appendages, it is difficult to correctly determine the moment of release of the egg.

By examples, it can be understood that it is easy to identify pathologies using a personal basal map. Of course, twins or one embryo can only be shown by ultrasound, but the conception on the BT map is determined accurately.

Graph of basal temperature for ectopic and missed pregnancy

With anembryony (death of the fetus), elevated rectal values ​​decrease to 36.4–36.9°C. The decrease in temperature on the graph is due to the regression of the corpus luteum and the stoppage of progesterone production.

Low values ​​in the second phase are possible due to a lack of hormones. Sometimes, with a frozen pregnancy, there is a sharp rise in temperature against the background of decomposition of the embryo and inflammation of the endometrium.

Ectopic conception by rectal indicators can not be detected. With ectopic fetal development, progesterone is produced as during normal gestation of the first trimester.

However, against the background of the growth of the embryo, there are symptoms that you should immediately pay attention to. It's spicy pain syndrome in the abdomen, discharge, vomiting, etc.

On the days of ovulation

Can develop at the same time inflammatory process, which is usually manifested by a sharp rise in temperature to 38 ° and above.

Do not self-diagnose. Any suspicious changes in the rectal temperature chart should be reported to a doctor.

Reviews

The opinion of women on the application of the method of measuring basal temperature will help to conduct an experiment when planning a pregnancy.

Anyuta Stepanova:

Olga Maslova:

My husband and I have a terrible dislike for condoms. I have been highly fertile since I was young, so it is important for me to know when dangerous days. I can say that the basal temperature map has never made a mistake.
We have two children, I have not had a single abortion. I am very positive about the method. Your temperature charts are an aid to conception planning or contraception.

Thanks 0

gynecologist, pediatrician

Not really

You will be interested in these articles:

Basal body temperature (BBT) shows a woman when pregnancy and ovulation can occur. They measure it in a certain way: early in the morning, just waking up, at rest. Any thermometer is suitable for measurements, the time required is 3-6 minutes. Everything is simple, and the results clarify many points.

What is basal temperature and how to measure it

BBT is body temperature, which is measured in the rectum early in the morning, without getting out of bed. This will allow you to find out whether ovulation or egg maturation is currently taking place, on which days conception is possible. The basal temperature will indicate fast offensive menstruation, changes in the cycle, will help in planning and detecting pregnancy or diagnosing certain gynecological problems in the body.

How to measure correctly basal body temperature at home:

  1. It is necessary to measure BBT from the first day of the arrival of menstruation.
  2. The thermometer should be placed in the rectum, not in the vagina. The rectal method gives accurate data.
  3. The device should be held for 3 minutes.
  4. Measurements must be taken daily for 2-3 months at one hour.
  5. It is better to do it in the morning, after waking up, right in bed. BBT may differ by 1 degree if you measured it in the evening.

Why you need to measure basal temperature

When menstruation occurs, the hormonal background of a woman undergoes changes. The increase in the amount of progesterone is immediately displayed in numbers on the thermometer:

  • When the egg matures high level estrogen), BTT is low.
  • After this phase, it rises again.
  • On average, an increase in thermometer readings reaches 0.4-0.8 degrees Celsius and indicates that ovulation has occurred.

The days before and during ovulation are favorable for conception. You need to know how to correctly measure basal temperature to determine ovulation. It is important to first clarify all the points for yourself in order to keep a schedule, entering indicators into it with the necessary regularity. Such records will help the doctor to get a picture of what is happening, and over time, the woman herself will understand the numbers.

How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy

How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy? The measurement should be made during the period of maximum rest, which is sleep. Since this is impossible, you need to get as close to the ideal as possible and measure it early in the morning when you are extremely calm. It makes no sense to find out the data if you are taking hormonal drugs or antidepressants, and also while drinking alcohol.

What thermometer to measure basal temperature

There are three types of thermometers for these purposes: electronic, mercury and infrared. The latter are least suitable for such a measurement. With mercury, you should be extremely careful, because during the measurement early in the morning, being sleepy, you can break it. It is unacceptable to change the measuring device, otherwise errors cannot be avoided. Do you want to use a regular thermometer or change it to a more advanced one? No problem, but choose the device for a long time.

How to measure basal temperature with a mercury thermometer

Accurate data can be achieved using a mercury thermometer, but even in this case it is possible to measure incorrectly. The thermometer can be entered incorrectly or removed too quickly. Given the danger of mercury, this type of thermometer is less commonly used. How to measure basal temperature with a regular thermometer:

  • the tip of the thermometer can be lubricated with ordinary oil (vegetable) or petroleum jelly;
  • then gently insert the device into anus;
  • wait 5 minutes lying down with eyes closed in a state close to sleep.

How to measure basal temperature to determine ovulation with a digital thermometer

Electronic devices are easy to use, but have a bad reputation because they are considered not to measure accurately enough. For achievement desired result follow the instructions: so, using the oral method, close your mouth as tightly as possible so that the thermometer does not show a value less than it actually is. As a rule, the end of the measurement is indicated by a sound signal.

greatest merit of such devices (and the reason for doctors' recommendations) is their safety:

  • If you are in sleepy state, drop it or it will break in your hands, it will not cause you any harm.
  • The flexible tip makes the instruments comfortable to use, they are waterproof and take measurements faster.

How long does it take to take a temperature

Regardless of the method you choose, the time for this process will remain the same. How to measure basal temperature correctly? It's simple:

  1. The thermometer lasts 5-7 minutes. All this time you should remain motionless.
  2. The thermometer itself must be prepared in advance and placed near the bed so that in the morning you do not make any unnecessary movements that could affect the data.
  3. The time when the temperature will be measured must be observed to the nearest quarter of an hour.

Rules for measuring basal temperature for charting

How to measure the basal temperature, so as not to be mistaken when drawing up a schedule? The main thing is accuracy, it must be measured at the same time. If you violated this rule, then you should start measuring again as soon as the next menstrual cycle occurs. The results should be recorded in a table for the convenience of subsequent identification of dependencies, and everything that can change the indicators should be noted there. You cannot change the type of thermometer if you want accurate data, but you need to write them down right away.

Video: how to measure basal temperature

Women who monitor their basal body temperature know that it reflects internal processes such as ovulation and pregnancy. What does he say low temperature throughout the cycle or at the time of ovulation and how it affects the ability to become pregnant.

How does the temperature change throughout the cycle?

A woman can become pregnant only when she is ready for fertilization. This period is called ovulation. Accordingly, in order to understand whether there is a chance of getting pregnant, you need to calculate the moment of ovulation. It's not hard to do this with help.

Whole monthly cycle women are divided into three main stages, each of which corresponds to a certain temperature:

If you look at the graph of the curve, then in the middle of the cycle a jump in temperature will be clearly visible, which lasts 1-3 days. These are the few days that are favorable for conceiving a child.

When the temperature rises to 37 and above, the chance of getting pregnant is greatly reduced. Since at this moment the egg dies, and pregnancy can only occur in the next cycle.

Attention! A woman can become pregnant at a time when the level of BT in the middle of the cycle has not yet reached 37 degrees.

But it should be understood that basal temperature is a very individual indicator, and for each woman it can differ significantly from the norm. Therefore, during the analysis of the chart, you need to look not so much at the indicators as at their ratio. The temperature difference between the first and second phases should be 0.4-0.5 degrees, that is, during ovulation, BT should be higher than during menstruation .

What does a temperature below 37 mean?

In fact, the hormone progesterone is responsible for increasing the basal temperature. His high concentration in the blood during ovulation leads to a jump in BBT. Accordingly, if a woman's temperature has not risen to this level, most likely, the problem lies in a disturbed hormonal background.

There are several other explanations for this phenomenon:

  1. Lack of ovulation . Once or twice a year, every woman can experience an anovulatory cycle. That is, the egg does not mature, which means that she cannot become pregnant this month. In this case, the BT schedule will be almost uniform, without jumps, and menstrual flow is very scarce. If this happens constantly, you should definitely consult a doctor.
  2. Implant window . In the event of pregnancy 5-6 after ovulation, BBT decreases as a result of the attachment of the implantation egg to the uterine wall. This decline lasts no longer than 36 hours. If the pregnancy did not take place, the temperature will stay at around 37 and gradually decrease.
  3. In a small number of women the temperature during ovulation, contrary to the norms, may decrease.

Also, you need to understand that in the first phase of the cycle and immediately before the onset of menstruation, the basal temperature does not exceed 37 degrees.

What happens if pregnancy occurs at a low basal temperature?

If for a successful conception it is necessary that the temperature be below 37 degrees, then for the further development of the embryo it is extremely necessary that its level be slightly higher. In almost all pregnant women in the first weeks after conception, it is kept at 37.

During ovulation, the basal temperature should be 37.1-37.3, a deviation from the norm by 0.8 degrees up or down is already alarm signal. A low temperature indicates an insufficiency of the corpus luteum phase, which is responsible for the production of progesterone.

The corpus luteum is a temporary gland, thanks to which the embryo in the first weeks of pregnancy receives all the necessary substances to maintain life.

Accordingly, even if pregnancy occurs at a low temperature, the fetus will not be able to survive.

Causes of low BBT after ovulation:

  • implantation window.
  • Estrogen and progesterone deficiency.
  • The temperature measurement was taken incorrectly.
  • Alcohol, stress, jet lag.
  • individual norm.

The following signs may indicate a lack of progesterone in the blood:

  • Before menstruation, there is no decrease in BBT.
  • The second phase is too short, less than 10 days.

If the basal temperature has decreased after ovulation, it is necessary, firstly, to eliminate errors in measuring BBT, and then carefully study the graph. If it has deviations from the norm, you must first pass all the tests. If the results are within acceptable limits, then such a basal temperature refers to individual characteristics organism.

Summarizing

The method of measuring basal temperature is based on the calculation exact date ovulation, during which sharp rise temperature. However, in order to become pregnant, a woman needs to start not from the temperature itself, but from its dynamics throughout the entire cycle.

In most cases, you can get pregnant at a temperature of 36.2-36.9. But immediately after that, BT should definitely increase.

You need to understand that the basal temperature can be different for each woman, which means that this method of pregnancy planning is considered not very reliable. It is not necessary to judge by it about the onset of ovulation or pregnancy; for reliability, additional ultrasound monitoring should be carried out.

It is definitely not worth making any decisions on your own, based only on the basal temperature chart. Only a doctor can interpret the results of the graph.

Measurement of basal body temperature (BBT or BBT) - home diagnostic method, which allows you to get information about the phase of the menstrual cycle, the approach and onset of ovulation, the state hormonal background, confirms pregnancy and gives an idea of ​​the nature of its course. It is also used as natural way contraception. BT is the lowest temperature mark that the body reaches in a state of complete rest, in particular during sleep.

Today, the measurement of basal temperature and the analysis of the graphs obtained during ovulation in medical practice used infrequently. Modern equipment, the availability of ultrasound reduce the relevance this study. However, the method is suitable for self-control, is easy to use at home. Reviews of women confirm this.

What is the method based on?

The body temperature of a woman depends on many factors, the main of which is the change in the concentration of sex hormones during the menstrual cycle. Moreover, fluctuations can be observed not even by weeks, but by hours and minutes.

  • First phase of the cycle. It is caused by the work of estrogen, under the influence of which the egg matures. During ovulation, levels of these hormones, regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), peak. As a result, a mature egg leaves the follicle for fertilization. Elevated estrogen levels inhibit metabolic processes. Accordingly, the temperature in the tissues of the pelvic organs decreases.
  • Second phase of the cycle. regulated by progestins. After ovulation, the concentration of these hormones increases and affects the formation of the endometrium. Also, progesterone is responsible for the normal course of the gestation period, for which it received the name “pregnancy hormone”. It stimulates thermoregulatory processes, which causes an increased basal temperature during pregnancy, before menstruation.

By measuring your basal temperature regularly over several months, you can determine how the phases of the menstrual cycle change, when ovulation occurs and the most probable days conception. And also to find out if it took place.

For this, BT indicators are recorded every day in a special schedule. You can compose it yourself or use separate calendars, electronic applications.

Basal temperature indicators are quite relative, since the concentration of sex hormones is constantly changing in absolute values. But that doesn't stop this method be one of the most common when planning pregnancy due to its availability and information content. Also, knowing how the basal temperature changes, a woman can calculate “safe” for intimacy days. Of course, subject to the stability of the cycle.

What does basal temperature show?

BT data are informative not only for the patient, but also for doctors. With the correct interpretation of the basal temperature graph, pregnancy can be determined, as well as:

  • the relative concentration of estrogens and progestogens;
  • approaching and onset of ovulation;
  • deviations in the menstrual cycle;
  • gestation pathology in the 1st trimester:
  • suspicion of infertility;
  • inflammatory processes in the genital organs.

6 rules for accurate results

Basal temperature is a very sensitive indicator, it can be affected various factors. Therefore, the reliability of the conclusions depends only on the accuracy of the measurements. To achieve this, it is necessary to prepare for the construction of a BT schedule. Here are the main recommendations:

  • limit sex - a few hours before measuring BBT;
  • avoid stress- physical and emotional at the time of measurements;
  • follow a diet - it is useful to limit the consumption of salty, fatty, fried foods;
  • rest - before measuring basal temperature, you need to sleep for at least three hours.

It is necessary to measure basal temperature to determine ovulation by adhering to the following six rules.

  1. Measurement frequency. Temperature readings should be recorded every day at the same time, marking them in a special graph (table). BBT measurement before and during menstruation should also be carried out.
  2. Method . BTT is measured rectally - in the rectum. oral and vaginal methods are not standard for this procedure, do not give accurate results.
  3. Times of Day . The procedure is carried out in the morning. Before her, a woman must be in a state of complete rest (preferably sleep) for at least three hours. If there was a night shift at work the day before, a note should be made, as this may affect the result. It is pointless to conduct research in the evening - it is not informative at this time. Any physical actions. It is not even recommended to shake the thermometer before taking a measurement. Any activity changes the readings of the basal temperature, so the procedure is carried out at the moment of waking up and before getting out of bed.
  4. Thermometer. Measurements should be carried out with the same thermometer, without changing mercury to electronic and vice versa. The most reliable evidence is mercury thermometer. It must be brought down to the minimum mark the night before, so as not to make efforts immediately before the procedure.
  5. Duration. It is acceptable if a woman does not ovulate every month, especially closer to 40 years. Therefore, measurements should be carried out over a long period of time (at least 12 weeks). During pregnancy, it makes sense to measure up to the 2nd trimester, in the 3rd - the hormonal profile "at its discretion" changes the temperature.
  6. Fixing indicators. It is best to mark the result immediately in the graph: since the difference in performance can be tenths of a degree, it is easy to forget or confuse them. As the points-marks of the basal temperature are put down, it is recommended to connect them with each other with lines. The graph should also note any factors that could affect the changes and validity of the data.

BT indicators: normal ...

Exist relative norms basal temperature, according to which it is possible to calculate without the help of a specialist what phase the cycle is in and the days of the highest female fertility.

  • First phase (downgrade). Regulated by estrogen. It falls on days 1-13 of the cycle. Immediately after menstruation, the basal body temperature drops to 36.6-36.2°C.
  • Ovulatory phase (oscillations). Peak activity of estrogens, FSH and LH. Lasts up to three days. A day or two on the eve of ovulation, BBT reaches 36.6-36.7 ° C. Basal temperature during ovulation rises by 0.1-0.4 ° C. After the rupture of the follicle and the release of the egg, the indicator is 37-37.4 ° C.
  • Second phase (upgrade). It is regulated by progesterone and falls on days 16-28 of the cycle. During this period, BT is increased, its indicators vary between 37-37.4°C.

A few days before the onset of menstruation after ovulation, the level of progesterone rapidly decreases and a low basal temperature is again noted (within 36.8-36.6 ° C).

… and deviations

The basal temperature chart is a kind of indicator of a woman's health status. Deviations from the norm of BT indicators may indicate the following.

  • Inflammation . If an elevated basal temperature is recorded before and during menstruation, this may indicate an inflammatory process in the organs of the reproductive system.
  • The disadvantage of the second phase. BBT indicators in the luteal phase of the cycle below the norm indicate a progesterone deficiency.
  • Individual characteristics of the body. Small deviations (in tenths of a degree), which persist throughout the cycle, may be individual manifestations of the body's work.
  • Offset ovulation. Moving the BT jump horizontally according to the chart (to the right or left side) indicates an early or late ovulation. Only a specialist can judge its success.
  • double ovulation. It is characterized by two peaks of temperature increase. Moreover, the second one is possible in the late second phase, it is superimposed on the main value and therefore it is difficult to notice it.

no ovulation

If the cycle passed without ovulation, there are several options for basal temperature charts.

  • High temperature in the first phase. When in the first half of the cycle the temperature is more than 36.6 ° C, this indicates that the level of estrogen is lowered. They are not enough to keep the temperature down, so the egg cannot mature.
  • Smooth, not rapid rise in temperature. Such dynamics of BT during ovulation indicates the inferiority of the egg, which is why the follicle does not rupture.
  • Sudden drop and then rise in temperature. In the second phase, this indicates that the egg has died.
  • Consistent temperature readings throughout the cycle. Complete absence jumps in basal temperature indicate the absence of ovulation.

Application hormonal drugs(for example, Duphaston, oral contraceptives) changes the basal temperature. Jumps depend on what type of hormones were used.

Values ​​during pregnancy

Often women resort to the method of measuring basal temperature in order to increase the chances of conception. Many rely on BBT readings to determine if a pregnancy has taken place and how it is progressing. This method is effective (including with twins, triplets), but only in the early stages - already from the 2nd trimester, more modern and reliable methods diagnostics.

Basal temperature during pregnancy may have the following indicators.

  • Successful pregnancy. If fertilization has occurred, after ovulation, until the delay in menstruation, an increase in basal temperature is observed, which will continue to be kept at a high level. This is due to the influence of progesterone. If menstruation does not occur, and the temperature value has decreased, this indicates a cyclic failure. The norm of basal temperature in the early stages of pregnancy is in the range of 37-37.5 ° C.
  • Frozen pregnancy. If the fact of conception is established, but there is a sharp decrease in BT during early pregnancy, which subsequently remains at the same level, this indicates the death of the embryo.
  • Ectopic pregnancy. Most often, in the early stages, such cases do not affect the basal temperature and the schedule corresponds to the developing pregnancy.
  • Risk of miscarriage . Often the cause of a miscarriage is progesterone deficiency, as indicated by a low basal temperature both before and after the delay. If at the same time there were bloody issues, you need to sound the alarm and seek medical help.

Many factors can affect the basal temperature chart during pregnancy, so it should only be an auxiliary, and not the main method of monitoring health during this period.

Surely many of the fair sex have heard about this medical term as "basal temperature". But not everyone understands what in question. While this definition is directly related to the preservation of women's health. And now everything is in order: what is basal temperature, for what purpose it is measured and how to do it correctly.

Basal temperature - what is it?

how general concept, basal temperature is the lowest body temperature measured at rest. But special meaning the observation of such indicators is for the fairer sex, since such a temperature reflects hormonal cyclic changes in a woman's body. So, observing BT, it is possible without analyzes and medical examinations take care of your reproductive health.

If we talk about what a woman's basal temperature is, then we can formulate the following definition: these are temperature fluctuations that occur as a result of the production of certain hormones by the ovaries.

Why measure BT?

Analyzing the definition of basal temperature, it is easy to conclude that the thermometer readings change during the month in a certain way, depending on the phase of the cycle. Regularly monitoring such changes in the body by measuring BT, at home, without tests and complex diagnostic tests, you can watch women's health. What exactly can be found out by conducting such an observation:

  1. The presence or absence of ovulation in a woman.
  2. Determine the most favorable days of the cycle when the likelihood of conceiving a child is high.
  3. Assess the viability of the menstrual phases during the cycle, and therefore, detect deviations in the hormonal background.
  4. Confirm pregnancy on your own early term.
  5. Find out the cause of infertility.

BT as a method of contraception

What does basal temperature mean as a method of protection against unwanted pregnancy? It is known that the conception of a child can occur directly on the day of ovulation or within 48 hours after it. And, as mentioned above, it is the method of measuring BT that determines the ovulatory day. To do this, you need to conduct regular observations of temperature changes and display the data on a graph. After ovulation is marked on the curve, it will not be difficult to calculate the days on which the conception of a baby is most likely - these are 2 days before and 1 day after the marked indicator. During this period, you should refrain from intimate relationships or use other methods of contraception.

Basal temperature when planning pregnancy

When planning a couple to conceive a baby, you can also use the method of monitoring the basal temperature. By regularly measuring indicators, a woman can determine the favorable days of the monthly cycle, in which the likelihood of fertilization increases significantly.

In order to get the right indicators, self-control and discipline are required. Since such a temperature should be measured strictly in the morning, without getting out of bed, preferably without even changing the position of the body after waking up, it is very important to follow all the recommendations, since any violation of them will lead to a distortion of the indicators. What should be done:

  1. Preferably use mercury thermometer. It is this type of device that will show the most reliable results.
  2. Take measurements rectally or intravaginally. The first way is preferable.
  3. Measure temperature after continuous sleep (at least 6 hours).
  4. It is necessary to carry out the procedure at the same time every day.
  5. The results obtained should be immediately recorded and then transferred to the basal temperature chart (you can read about how to do this correctly in the corresponding section of the article).
  6. When interpreting the data obtained, the day should be taken into account. menstrual phase. Basal temperature directly depends on this factor.

Factors affecting BT indicators

In order to obtain reliable data on BT indicators, it is important to exclude, if possible, factors that can lead to false results. Namely:

  • taking medications, especially hormonal ones;
  • the use of oral contraceptives and the uterine spiral;
  • lack of sleep;
  • alcohol consumption;
  • sexual relations less than 6 hours before measurements;
  • stress;
  • overwork;
  • diseases, including viral;
  • elevated body temperature.

What indicators of BT are considered the norm?

In order to correctly decipher and analyze the obtained measurement results, one should compare them with the norms established in medicine. What should be the basal temperature in a healthy non-pregnant woman, read below.

There are three phases female cycle: follicular, ovulatory and luteal. In each such period, the ovaries produce certain hormones that contribute to the normal conception and childbearing of a woman.

In the follicular phase, the maturation of the egg occurs due to the increasing levels of the hormone estradiol. During this period, BT fluctuates from 36.2 to 36.8 degrees. The phase ends with a "pre-ovulatory fall" - sharp decline indicators by approximately 0.3 degrees before the release of the egg from the follicle. This is what the basal temperature should be during ovulation.

In the luteal phase, due to an increase in the level of progesterone in a woman's body, BT indicators also increase. During this period, the thermometer will show from 37.0 to 37.4 degrees. And only a few days before the onset of menstruation, the temperature will drop to the level follicular phase. It is this cycle of basal temperature that a healthy woman should have.

How to determine ovulation?

By measuring the temperature regularly, you can calculate the day of ovulation. On the chart, this day will normally be displayed as follows:

  1. The first 12-16 days of the menstrual cycle will have indicators up to 36.7 degrees.
  2. Then there is a drop in temperature by 0.3-0.5 degrees, which indicates the release of the egg from the follicle. This usually happens on the 12-16th day of a woman's cycle.

BT to determine pregnancy

In addition to determining ovulation, using the temperature measurement method, you can confirm pregnancy at the earliest possible date. In the presence of conception, progesterone levels only increase. This means that the thermometer will record high BBT in the second period of the cycle. If a basal temperature of 37.1-37.6 is noted at the end of the luteal (second) phase, and there are no monthly menstrual flows, then it is likely that the woman is pregnant.

In addition, a pregnant woman's chart will record an implantation temperature drop approximately a few days after ovulation. This drop is caused by the attachment of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. fixed low rate only 1-2 days, and then the temperature rises again and reaches marks above 37 degrees.

Is it necessary to measure the basal temperature during the period of a woman carrying a child?

Often, women monitor their rectal temperature readings after sleep in order to calculate the most auspicious days cycle to conceive a baby. After the desired fertilization has been confirmed, expectant mothers stop paying attention to measurements of this kind. After all, the goal has been achieved and there is no more point in doing it. Let's figure out what basal temperature is during pregnancy and whether there is a need to measure it during this period.

In fact, doctors recommend continuing to measure BBT, since this diagnostic method often allows timely detection of hormonal abnormalities during pregnancy. It is worth remembering that any unreasonable decrease in performance is an occasion for an unscheduled visit to the doctor. In this case, it is better to play it safe and do additional tests and surveys.

What should be the basal temperature during pregnancy? Indicators should not be below 37 degrees. AT otherwise low temperature may indicate a threat of miscarriage, missed pregnancy, anembryony.

Thus, by measuring BBT, it is possible to suspect violations in the process of pregnancy development even before the onset of symptoms, contact a specialist and receive timely medical care. Often something as simple as taking your temperature after sleeping can help prevent serious complications or even save a life.

Deviations from the norm

In the event of a deviation from established norms, especially if this situation occurs for several months in a row, the possibility of influencing the results should be assessed external factors and then see a doctor for additional examination. It is especially important to visit a specialist in a timely manner if there are other complaints, or the woman is pregnant.

When to see a doctor:

  • in the first half of the cycle, the temperature is above 37 degrees;
  • there is no preovulatory drop in performance;
  • in the second half of the monthly cycle, a low basal temperature is recorded;
  • between the phases, the temperature difference is less than 0.3 degrees.

It is important to understand that it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on basal temperature alone.

How to build charts?

For the convenience of interpreting the measurement results and the clarity of the obtained indicators, it is recommended to keep a graph of basal temperature. To do this, you can select a special notepad. It must be drawn in the following columns:

  • basal temperature;
  • cycle day;
  • menstrual flow;
  • additional information.

The Y-axis in such a graph will be the basal temperature (from 35.5 to 37.8), and the X-axis will be the days of the cycle. In the column " menstrual flow» indicates the corresponding days of the cycle. And in the "Additional Information" various information is noted that may adversely affect the reliability of the results of BT measurements, for example, reception medicines. An example chart is provided below.

Curve types

In medicine, it is customary to classify the curves obtained as a result of measuring BT on a graph - this simplifies the decoding of indicators and speeds up the process of determining deviations from the norm. There are two types of curves:


We talked about what “basal temperature” is and why it is measured. But it is important to note that this diagnostic method is only additional remedy observation of own health available to every woman. It is by no means possible to make diagnoses on your own, and even more so to engage in self-treatment, based only on the results obtained. If abnormalities are found, consult a doctor for the correct interpretation and evaluation of the results.



Liked the article? Share it
Top