Could it be bt. Indications for measuring basal temperature. Why do you need a basal temperature chart?

Basal temperature - This body temperature at rest after at least 6 hours of sleep. IN different phases menstrual cycle basal temperature a woman constantly changes under the influence 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 in this moment, but also to 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 - favorable moment for conceiving a child - the release of a mature egg capable of fertilization from the ovarian follicle in 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 on early stages with a delay in menstruation.
3. By regularly measuring basal temperature, you can determine the possible cause of missed periods: 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, and whether you hormonal disorders etc.

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 the basal temperature (BT): alcohol intake, flight, stress, acute respiratory infections, inflammatory diseases, increased exercise stress, sexual intercourse the night before or in the morning, reception medicines- sleeping pills, hormones, psychotropic drugs, etc. All these factors can affect basal temperature and make the study unreliable.

Upon admission 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, discharge from cervical canal become 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 follicular phase BT can be 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 reliable sign ovulation. The second phase is the luteal phase, or also called the phase corpus luteum- lasts about 14 days and if conception does not occur, it ends with menstruation. During the corpus luteum phase, very important processes occur - a balance is maintained between low level estrogen and high levels of progesterone - thus the corpus luteum prepares the body for 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 basal temperature (BT) chart that you see below reflects two normal physiological conditions that a healthy woman may 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. Burgundy line-mark 37 degrees, serves for clarity of the graph.

Now let's try to decipher this basal temperature graph. Note, mandatory feature 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 Positives measurements of basal temperature (increase in basal temperature in the absence of the corpus luteum) can be in acute and chronic infections, as well as with some changes higher departments 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 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 graph as an example, the most favorable days For conception there will be 12,13 and 14 days 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 this possible signs lack 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 drops - ovulation does not occur, and accordingly, a woman with such a basal temperature (BT) schedule 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 it must be prescribed in the second phase hormonal drugs- gestagens (Utrozhestan or Duphaston). 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 sharp fluctuations from 36.2 to 37 C (but with such pathology they can be higher). Fertility in such patients is sharply reduced. For treatment purposes, gynecologists prescribe hormone therapy. Having seen such a graph, there is no need to rush to draw conclusions - such a picture can also be observed in inflammatory diseases. gynecological diseases, when everything is in order with estrogens, for example, with inflammation of the appendages. The graph is presented below.

You see in this graph with sharp declines and rises that due to inflammatory process It is problematic to determine when ovulation occurred, since the basal temperature of the BT 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 beginning of menstruation and does not decrease, as can be seen on the graph, it is possible we're talking about about a terrible 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 another picture - the cycle is always lengthened, which is expressed in constant delays menstruation is more than 10 days, but 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.

If a woman is in reproductive age and is capable of conceiving children, then normally her menstrual cycle is divided into two phases: the first - before ovulation, and the second - after it. Ovulation is an important milestone in each cycle, and in addition to the possibility of getting pregnant, it provides a lot of information about the state of women's health.

The processes occurring in a woman’s body before and after ovulation differ significantly in their characteristics and significance, so it is not strange that the body temperature is recorded differently in different phases. Every woman knows that to determine ovulation it is measured (in the rectum).

In the first phase of the cycle, it averages 36.6-36.8 degrees. Immediately before ovulation, it decreases by a few tenths of a degree, and on the day of ovulation it increases sharply - to 37 and above. An elevated basal temperature indicates the onset of ovulation and persists until the end of the second phase, that is, until menstruation begins. On the eve or on the day of the next menstruation, it decreases again.

Why is this happening? From the moment of ovulation, the woman’s body begins to intensively produce, which creates favorable conditions for the potential occurrence, maintenance and development of pregnancy. Due to these hormonal fluctuations, many changes occur. Among other things, increased progesterone levels also affect body temperature, raising it slightly. These indicators persist until menstruation, and if conception has taken place, then during the first four months. A decrease in BT at the beginning of pregnancy may indicate a threat of termination.

An increased basal temperature in the first weeks and months of pregnancy within 37-37.5 degrees is a good sign: a woman’s body produces enough progesterone for the pregnancy to continue and the baby to develop. But don't panic if your readings during pregnancy are lower than indicated.

The onset of ovulation and probable fertilization is indicated by an increase in basal temperature by at least 0.4 degrees compared to the first phase. Such a jump is sufficient and does not give cause for concern. If your basal temperature is below 37, but at least 0.4 degrees higher than the temperature of the first phase of the cycle, then you most likely have no need to worry either. The main thing is that your health and tests are normal. This can reassure women who were pregnant before pregnancy and have something to compare the results with. But what about those who just now, having already become pregnant, began to measure BT for the first time in their lives, because the doctor advised or ordered so?

For starters, also calm down and don’t be nervous. Anxiety and stress definitely do not benefit you and your unborn baby, and everything is not yet clear with basal temperature.

Firstly, BT is considered truly indicative only during the period of egg implantation, which occurs 6-12 days after its fertilization. Although basal temperature should remain elevated throughout the first 4 months of pregnancy, in most cases doctors do not recommend measuring it beyond the first 4 weeks. Less often, gynecologists believe that it is necessary to keep BT levels under control until 12 weeks of pregnancy. But in any case, at such a time frame they are no longer as informative as at the beginning.

Secondly, basal temperature itself means almost nothing. The woman’s well-being, the presence or absence of other signs of miscarriage, test results and the conclusion of an ultrasound, which should be performed if there is an existing threat, all play a role. If everything is in order, the fetus is developing well and the mother feels great, then a low basal temperature during pregnancy should not cause panic.

Moreover, an elevated basal temperature does not yet guarantee a normal pregnancy. Other indicators are extremely important to assess her condition. Therefore, be sure to take all factors into account.

In the end, remember that each organism is individual, and it has the right, among other things, to be different from accepted standards basal temperature. Many women safely bear children with BT levels well below 37 degrees. However, make sure that it does not fall below 36.5.

In addition, consider what thermometer you use to measure your basal temperature. It is known that electronic thermometers show approximately 0.2 degrees less than traditional mercury thermometers. Of course, BT must be measured according to all the rules. If you haven't taken this into account, be sure to study them.

However, it is a completely different matter if the threat of miscarriage is confirmed by other indicators besides low basal temperature. In this case, the doctor will prescribe you hormonal therapy (usually Duphaston or Utrozhestan) to artificially increase and maintain the level of progesterone in the body in order to maintain pregnancy. But keep in mind that it is not at all necessary that the basal temperature rise to 37 degrees or higher. It may remain at low levels - don’t worry.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

ATTENTION!!!
about the presence or absence of ovulation,
quality and duration of the corpus luteum phase
YOU CAN'T JUDGE ONLY BY BASAL TEMPERATURE CHARTS

Measuring basal temperature (BT) can help determine:

• – whether ovulation occurs;
• – when to expect your next menstruation;
• – possible deviations from the schedule in the current cycle;
• – whether pregnancy has occurred due to delay or unusual menstruation.

Advantages of the method:

• - the simplest and available method For home use of all that exist;
• – with regular temperature measurements, it allows you to determine the cause of the delay - late ovulation, lack of ovulation or pregnancy (more than 18 days elevated temperatures), provided that the graphs reflect the real picture.

Disadvantages of the method:

• – does not provide information about the timing of upcoming ovulation, i.e. does not allow one to predict its occurrence;
• - does not provide absolutely accurate information about the timing of ovulation - the temperature may rise both the next day and a few days after ovulation (this is within normal limits), or it will differ little from the picture in the first phase (this is also normal if the results Ultrasound and hormones are normal);
• – does not provide accurate information about the presence of full ovulation even in the presence of two-phase graphs (for example, in the case of premature luteinization of the follicle);
• - does not provide information about 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 of progesterone it is necessary take a blood test a week after ovulation);
• – does not provide accurate information about the absence of ovulation in cases of absence explicit second phases on the graphs (in this case, it is necessary to monitor 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 - you can consider such graphs a “feature” of the body and stop measuring the temperature if it not indicative);

When identifying any “violations”, it is important to remember that they should not be based on basal temperature (BT) charts - even for several observation cycles, not to mention the results of observation in a single cycle. This is how a huge number of false “diagnoses” are made and “treatment” is prescribed, which is not only unnecessary, but can also cause harm. great harm a completely healthy woman.

• You can measure the temperature in any way - in the mouth, in the vagina or in the rectum. Just remember that during one cycle the measurement method must be the same.
• Take your temperature at the same time every morning without getting out of bed and immediately record the readings. Temperature should be measured throughout the entire cycle, preferably during menstruation.
• If you're using a digital thermometer, wait until it rings, usually within a minute. A regular glass thermometer should be held for about 5 minutes. Digital thermometers usually give a clear picture of the rise and fall of temperature, but if you are confused about the results, it is better to use a glass one. It is advisable to use one thermometer throughout the entire cycle. If for some reason you changed your thermometer, make a note about this (measurement errors may differ for different thermometers).
• Try to take measurements at the same time, give or take about an hour. If you sleep longer on weekends, or for some other reason the measurement time differs significantly from normal, be sure to note this fact in the chart. Every extra hour of sleep raises your temperature by one tenth of a degree.
• Take your temperature after at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep. If, for example, you usually get up at 8 o'clock, but one day you had to get up at 6 o'clock to go to the toilet, it is better to take your temperature at 6 o'clock before getting up (and remember to make a note about it in your schedule). Otherwise, you will only get two hours of uninterrupted sleep (from 6 to 8 hours), which will affect the accuracy of the measurements.
• If you are using a glass thermometer, be sure to shake it off the day before (shaking the thermometer immediately before taking a measurement will affect the accuracy of the result).
• It should be noted that for a more accurate interpretation of the graph it is necessary to conduct observations for at least 3 months.

Temperature charting

It is best to record the readings on the chart immediately in the morning. But if this is not possible, then you can leave the matter until the evening, since the readings of the thermometer will not change until you remove them (from a digital one) or shake them off (from a glass one). Just make sure that the thermometer is not left lying in the sun. If the thermometer reading is between two numbers, always record the lower one. All unusual conditions (illness, stress, travel, etc.) must be noted in the “Miscellaneous” column and then taken into account when deciphering the schedule.

If your temperature seems unusual, such as too high (this could be due to illness, bad dream or alcohol consumed the day before), wait until next day and only then draw the connecting line. Eliminate “unusual” temperatures by connecting the normal readings with a dotted line. Try to identify and note in the graph the possible cause of the deviation.

Because basal temperature responds to various factors, interpretation of basal temperature readings requires special attention. Therefore, it makes sense to make special notes about these factors. These include: illness with an increase in temperature (fever), drinking alcohol the day before, stress, a sleepless night. So, if you have had insomnia, specifically note this fact.

The BT entry table looks like this:

DATE	CYCLE DAY	That	DISCHARGES	OTHER
12th of August	14	36.3	sticky, white	woke up early
August 13	15	36.5	egg white	yesterday we celebrated our birthday
August 14	16	36.4	egg white
August 15	17	36.7	dry
August 16	16	36.8	dry
August 17	16	36.9	dry

A detailed form for recording observations greatly helps the woman and her doctor to understand possible reasons failure to become pregnant, cycle disorders, etc.

The “discharge” column includes the state of the cervical fluid. During the period close to ovulation, cervical fluid has the most watery consistency. (Don't confuse seminal fluid after sexual intercourse with the cervical!). You can read more about cervical fluid in Tonya Weschler’s book “The Desired Child?..” (fifth chapter).

The “other” column includes factors that can affect BT: a cold with fever, sex in the evening (and even more so in the morning), drinking alcohol, measuring BT at an unusual time, going to bed late (for example, went to bed at 3 o’clock, and measured at 6 o’clock) and much more.

For clarity, it is better to build a graph on a sheet of plain paper in a box. One sheet displays the temperature for the entire cycle (but not for the month!). One cell corresponds to one day horizontally and 0.1 degrees vertically.

How to determine the moment of ovulation

The main purpose of charting is to determine the time of ovulation in each specific cycle. In order to determine the days of ovulation, carefully study your chart.

Preovulation temperatures are kept low by estrogen, while after ovulation heat-producing progesterone raises them to higher levels. high level. A rise in basal temperature means that ovulation has already occurred. This sign is not evidence of approaching ovulation, unlike the other two signs - cervical fluid and cervical position. You should also know that only a very small number of women experience a drop in temperature at the time of ovulation. Because the sharp drop temperature occurs extremely rarely, this sign cannot be absolutely reliable in determining the ability to conceive, therefore, to determine the approach of ovulation, it is better to use the other two above-mentioned signs.

Temperature rise options:

The standard type of temperature rise clearly shows a level of low temperatures, then a sharp rise of at least two tenths of a degree, followed by a level of high temperatures that remains until the end of the cycle. These types of charts are common for most women. However, there are three more various types ascent schedule:

• Step rise. The temperature rises sharp jump, stays at the same level for three days and makes another sharp jump.
• Gradual rise. The temperature rises gradually. Rising by 0.1 degrees per day. The day of ovulation is determined according to various additional criteria.
• Lift with return. The temperature starts to rise, drops below the dividing line the next day and then rises again.

Important to remember!

A small temperature difference between the first and second phases is not a pathology, but may be a feature of the body if all hormones are normal.

If there is no menstruation, and the temperature remains within the second phase for more than 18 days, this indicates a possible pregnancy. Also, if menstruation is scanty or unusual, and BT remains on elevated level– pregnancy is possible against the background of the threat of miscarriage.

If throughout the entire cycle the temperature on the graph remains approximately at the same level or the graph looks like a “fence” ( low temperatures constantly alternate with high ones), this means that in this cycle Most likely there was no ovulation - anovulation. To establish the presence or absence of ovulation, ultrasound monitoring is required over several cycles. U healthy women The presence of several anovulatory cycles per year is allowed, but if such a picture is observed in all cycles, this is a cause for concern.

Women who monitor their basal temperature levels know that their readings reflect internal processes such as ovulation and pregnancy. What does low temperature mean throughout the entire cycle or during ovulation and how does it affect the ability to get 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, to understand whether there is a chance of getting pregnant, you need to calculate the moment of ovulation. It’s not at all difficult to do this with help.

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

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

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

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

But you should understand that basal temperature is a very individual indicator, and for each woman it can differ significantly from the norm. Therefore, when analyzing a 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 basal temperature. His high concentration in the blood during ovulation leads to a jump in BT. Accordingly, if a woman’s temperature does not rise to this level, most likely the problem lies in disrupted hormonal levels.

There are several other explanations for this phenomenon:

1. Lack of ovulation . Once or twice a year, every woman may experience an anovulatory cycle. That is, the egg does not mature, which means she cannot become pregnant this month. In this case, the BT schedule will be almost uniform, without jumps, and menstrual flow very scarce. If this happens constantly, you should definitely consult a doctor.
2. Implant window . If pregnancy occurs 5-6 years after ovulation, BT decreases as a result of the implantation egg attaching to the uterine wall. This reduction lasts no longer than 36 hours. If pregnancy does not take place, the temperature will remain at around 37 and gradually decrease.
3. In a small number of women The temperature during ovulation, contrary to the norm, 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 good luck with your conception If it is necessary for the temperature to be below 37 degrees, then for the further development of the embryo it is imperative that its level be slightly higher. In almost all pregnant women, in the first weeks after conception it remains at 37.

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

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

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

Reasons for low BT after ovulation:

• Implant window.
• Estrogen and progesterone deficiency.
• The temperature was measured incorrectly.
• Alcohol, stress, jet lag.
• Individual norm.

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

• There is no decrease in BT before menstruation.
• The second phase is too short, less than 10 days.

If the basal temperature has decreased after ovulation, you need to, firstly, eliminate errors when measuring BT, and then carefully study the graph. If there are deviations from the norm, you must first pass all the tests. If the results are within acceptable limits, then this basal temperature relates to the individual characteristics of the body.

Summarizing

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

In most cases, you can get pregnant at a temperature of 36.2-36.9. But immediately after this, BT must necessarily 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 the onset of ovulation or pregnancy; for reliability, additional ultrasound monitoring is necessary.

It’s 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.

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Basal body temperature method

is based on determining the time of rise in temperature in the rectum, by measuring it daily and abstaining from sexual relations in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, including the first three days of rise in temperature after ovulation. It is known that at the moment of ovulation, rectal temperature decreases, and the next day it increases. And if a woman measures the temperature in her rectum every day for several (at least three) months, she will be able to determine when she ovulates.

Rules for measuring temperature

You should always measure your basal temperature in the morning, within 10 minutes, immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed, using the same thermometer and eyes closed, since bright light can, by enhancing the release of certain hormones, contribute to changes in basal temperature. Mark the temperature value on the graph. Do not take into account high temperatures due to fever or other conditions. A regular glass thermometer should be held for about 5 minutes. It is advisable to use one thermometer throughout the entire cycle. If for some reason you changed the thermometer, make a note about it. Take your temperature after at least three hours of uninterrupted sleep. If, for example, you had to get up in the morning (several hours before waking up) to go to the toilet, it is better to take your temperature before getting up (and remember to make a note about this in your schedule). Otherwise, it will affect the measurement accuracy. BBT readings can be affected by a cold with an increase in temperature, sex in the evening (and even more so in the morning), drinking alcohol, measuring BBT at unusual times, going to bed late, etc.

Basal temperature chart

Normally from the very beginning of the menstrual cycle (and its duration is calculated from the first day last menstrual period until the first day of the next one) and before the onset of ovulation, the rectal temperature is below 37 o C and can fluctuate within small limits, for example, from 36.6 o C to 36.8 o C. At the time of ovulation, the temperature decreases slightly (say, to 36. 4 o C), the next day it rises above 37 o C (37.2-37.4). It remains at this level until the start of the next menstruation.

A decrease in temperature and the subsequent jump beyond 37 o C allows you to determine the date of ovulation.

With a 28-day cycle in a healthy woman, ovulation usually occurs on days 13-14 of the cycle. But can only these two days be considered “dangerous”? Not at all. Even having clearly defined your individual ovulation date, you cannot be guaranteed against accidents. If, for example, you are nervous, overtired, have suddenly changed the climate, and sometimes without any visible reasons, ovulation may occur 1-2 days earlier or later normal term. In addition, the duration of viability of the egg and sperm must be taken into account.

Considering that the egg loses its ability to fertilize three days after ovulation, the danger of pregnancy disappears, and the subsequent days of the second phase before the onset of menstruation are safe for pregnancy.

For the purpose of protection: refrain from sexual intercourse from the beginning of menstruation until the evening of the third day after the rise in basal temperature after ovulation.

For the purpose of conception: have sexual intercourse during fertile days.

The inconveniences of the method are associated with the need for daily temperature measurement and rather long abstinence. However, when used correctly, its effectiveness is quite high.

• In women suffering from diseases of the genital organs, the curve rectal temperature does not always have a typical character
• The difference between the average BT of the second phase and BT of the first phase should be at least 0.4-0.5 o. Low, or heat there is no pathology in both phases. It could be individual feature body. But a high temperature in the first phase (in relation to the second phase) indicates a deficiency of estrogens (female sex hormones), which must be taken in this case, and vice versa - a low temperature in the second phase (in relation to the first) indicates insufficient function of the corpus luteum .
• If during menstruation BT does not decrease, but increases, this indicates the presence of chronic endometritis(inflammation of the uterine mucosa), one of the causes of female infertility.
• If there is no menstruation, and BT remains in the second phase for more than 18 days, pregnancy is possible. Also, if menstruation is scanty or unusual, and BT remains at an elevated level, pregnancy is possible against the background of the threat of miscarriage.
• There is no point in measuring BT when taking any OC.
• If during the cycle the BT on the graph remains at approximately the same level, i.e. low temperatures constantly alternate with high ones, and the graph is not biphasic, this means that there was no ovulation in this cycle. It is called anovulation. Even healthy women may have several anovulatory cycles per year.