How much to measure basal temperature with mercury. Change in BT in the early stages. Types of temperature curves

A woman who wants to get pregnant is looking forward to the coveted positive test.

But how to determine pregnancy if the test does not show its presence? In this case, a chart with basal temperature readings can help, which helps to give a 100% result, subject to all the rules. Basal temperature in early pregnancy is a fairly reliable and accurate way to determine conception. A pregnancy test is effective only 3-4 weeks after conception, and the basal temperature shows it almost immediately.

Therefore, many of the fair sex are interested in how to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy. This is not so easy to do, but the effectiveness of the indicators is worth the time spent on drawing up a special schedule.

In order to determine signs such as the onset of ovulation, a violation or change at the hormonal level, as well as the time for conception, it is necessary to measure the basal temperature - this is a low temperature indicator that is determined in the body at rest. Basal temperature is measured rectally, vaginally, or orally.

How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy as correctly as possible?

Before you start keeping a schedule, you need to figure out how it works. The graph of basal temperature during pregnancy, the photo of which is a scale with temperature indicators, will be the most reliable if a number of important requirements are met when measuring it. Any external and internal factors that affect a woman's life, including:

  • changes in diet, lifestyle;
  • hormonal imbalance;
  • bad habits;
  • stress;
  • change of climate zone or relocation;
  • various diseases of internal organs;
  • colds and viral diseases.

In addition, constant measurement over several months allows you to identify possible hormonal abnormalities that prevent pregnancy. This allows you to take timely measures to normalize the hormonal background, which means that the possibility of getting pregnant increases significantly.

So, according to the schedule, you can trace the deficiency of estrogen in the body of a woman. It manifests itself in elevated basal temperature in the period before the onset of ovulation. If on the graph you see a decrease in temperature during the onset of ovulation, then this indicates poor estrogen production. Timely detection of violations of the reproductive function of a woman's body can solve problems with conception. In this case, you need to contact a gynecologist and get adequate treatment.

If the graph contains the same readings that do not change over time, then they indicate the absence of ovulation. In this case, the woman is not able to get pregnant. A gynecologist, based on examination, diagnosis, can give recommendations on how to eliminate violations that negatively affect a woman's ability to conceive a child. The basal temperature chart during pregnancy is not only a great opportunity to find out about your pregnancy, but also a reliable way to detect violations in the genitourinary function of a woman.

Basal temperature in early pregnancy will be most accurate and correct if the measurement is carried out:

  • early in the morning, before the woman got out of bed;
  • at the same time, while the error between daily measurements should not exceed half an hour;
  • at the same measurement site, so one measurement method must be selected in advance, such as oral or vaginal.

In order not to get out of bed in the morning, you need to put a thermometer so that it is always at hand. In this case, the duration of sleep should be at least 5 hours a day. This means that getting out of bed at night in order to drink water is undesirable, as the readings will be distorted. To get the correct readings, in this case, you need to take them after the first awakening of the night.

If you are interested in the question of what should be the basal temperature during pregnancy in the first few weeks, then this indicator varies between 37.1 o C - 37.2 o C. These indicators may change if the woman took alcoholic drinks the day before, had sexual contact, suffered from insomnia or suffered from any disease, including colds, acute respiratory infections.

Also, the basal temperature readings are significantly affected by the intake of hormonal drugs, so the graph will be uninformative. Any factor can distort the data, so if you want to get accurate information, you must exclude all factors that affect the hormonal background.

There are several nuances with each measurement method. For example, with the oral method of introducing a thermometer, it must be kept under the tongue for at least 4-5 minutes. If the temperature is measured rectally, then the thermometer must be inserted into the rectum by 5 centimeters, while it must be lubricated. With the vaginal method, you need to insert a thermometer halfway into the vagina. An ordinary thermometer should be kept for 5-8 minutes, and an electronic one for at least 10-15 seconds or until the signal.

Basal temperature during early pregnancy: indications and definition

To determine the onset of ovulation, temperature measurement must begin at the beginning of menstruation. On the 4th day after the onset of menstruation, the basal temperature is in the range of 36.4 o C - 36.8 o C. Such indicators indicate that there are all the necessary conditions for the maturation of the egg.

The period that lasts until the onset of ovulation is characterized by a decrease in temperature, and during ovulation, it jumps sharply to 37.4 ° C. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy there is an increased production of progesterone, which ensures full and normal growth and development eggs. At the same time, progesterone increases the basal temperature, which suggests the onset of pregnancy.

Pregnant basal temperature graphs are characterized by an increase in temperature during and after ovulation, if conception does not occur, then the readings begin to decline. At the same time, progesterone will begin to be produced in smaller quantities and will reduce the basal temperature on the chart to a minimum value, which will be observed until the next menstruation.

It helps to determine the onset of pregnancy before the delay of menstruation. If you, having measured the basal temperature during ovulation, find increased indicators that will have stability over the next two weeks, then you can be congratulated on your pregnancy.

How to chart your basal body temperature correctly?

First, you need to figure out what data is needed for the chart. To obtain reliable information, the following data is required:

  • day of the beginning of the cycle;
  • date of the day of measurement;
  • the indication of the thermometer, which was used to measure the basal temperature;
  • the presence of secretions, as well as their nature;
  • a list of provoking factors that could change the readings.

The basal temperature during pregnancy before the delay should be increased. At the same time, you can track its growth using a special graph, which reflects all the data and indicators. To make it right, you should adhere to clear rules.

So, during the maintenance of the schedule, the discharge from the vagina may change in a woman. For example, they can be bloody, viscous or mucous, with yellowness, as well as their complete absence. Taking notes on the nature of the discharge is necessary in order for a complete picture to be presented. So, during ovulation, a woman has watery discharge from the vagina.

In addition, when drawing up a graph, you need to mark all the factors that can change the temperature. If a woman did not sleep well, had sexual intercourse immediately before measuring the temperature, then such moments must be reflected on the graph. At the same time, the basal temperature during the day during pregnancy is unreliable, since the measurement must be carried out in the morning, before the woman gets out of bed.

Making a schedule is easy, the main thing is to do it right. All that is needed for drawing up is a sheet of paper on which you need to mark two lines: vertical and horizontal. Thus, a coordinate axis is created. On the first axis, the days of the menstrual cycle are indicated, and on the other, the degree of basal temperature. Degrees are indicated on the basis of - 1 cell of the sheet is equal to 0.1 o C. On the sheet with the graph, the measurements obtained must be indicated daily.

To obtain the most reliable and correct information, the schedule must be maintained for at least 2-3 months, if necessary, this period can be extended. This will help to understand if there are any deviations in the woman's health and how the nature of the basal temperature and secretions changes.

What do you need to know to make the right schedule? First, a healthy woman has a menstrual cycle of 21-35 days. If it is shorter or longer than the specified norm, then this is a good reason to consult a gynecologist, since a woman may have ovarian dysfunction or other disorders of the genitourinary system, diseases.

The graph reflects the onset of ovulation, which divides it into two phases. In this case, the middle of the graph is ovulation. The most optimal time for conceiving a child is the day of ovulation and a few days after it. There are situations when, during the preovular period, the value does not decrease before ovulation, but increases. You should not worry about this, as this phenomenon is normal. Most likely, the onset of ovulation has already occurred.

Want to know what is the basal temperature during pregnancy. Each woman is individual and has her own menstrual cycle, so these values ​​​​can be observed within 37.1 o C - 37.3 o C. In this case, you need to pay attention to the difference in basal temperature between the phases. If it exceeds 0.4 o C, then these increased values ​​​​indicate a violation of the hormonal background. Therefore, you need to take a blood test for the level of progesterone and estrogen, which will help identify the cause of the deviation, which means increasing the chances of conception.

Frozen pregnancy is extremely rare. But such a thing happens. If you follow the readings of the graph in the early stages, then there are significant visual differences between normal and missed pregnancy. So, when the development of the embryo stops, the level of progesterone decreases, which means that the basal temperature will be significantly reduced. If it fell to 36.9 ° C and below, then this indicates a missed pregnancy.

It can occur due to many adverse factors, including:

  • the presence of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
  • hormonal imbalance, due to which the level of progesterone decreases;
  • increased production of male hormones;
  • stress;
  • bad habits;
  • in vitro fertilization.

Not all women manage to get pregnant quickly after getting married. And the test can not always show the fact of conception in the early stages. One hundred percent readings can be given almost immediately by measuring the temperature in a certain way. How to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy and will be discussed today.

Correct measurement of basal temperature

For the sake of the effectiveness of the indicators, you will have to spend time on drawing up a certain schedule. Basal temperature (BT) also shows the onset of ovulation and various changes in hormonal levels. It is measured at rest by methods such as rectal, vaginal, or oral.

First you need to understand the mechanism of the graph (scale with temperature indicators).

These numbers are influenced by many factors, such as drastic changes in diet or lifestyle, but not only:

  • deviations in hormonal levels;
  • if you smoke or abuse alcohol;
  • being in constant stress;
  • change of residence or change of climate zone;
  • pathologies of internal organs and colds.

Important: with constant temperature measurement, it is possible to detect a problem at the level of hormones that prevent pregnancy, and accordingly, promptly take measures to restore it.

To obtain the most reliable indicators, it is necessary to measure correctly - in the morning immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed. Every day, these manipulations should be carried out at the same time - an allowable error of 30 minutes. And one more rule - to carry out measurements in one of the three chosen ways, that is, if you did it orally on the first day, then all subsequent days should be carried out only in this way.

What thermometer to use

If we talk about a thermometer for such measurements, then any one is suitable - digital or mercury. If we compare them, then a mercury thermometer gives more accurate information, but a digital one (the error is 0.2-0.3 degrees) is more convenient to use.

You will receive complete information when measuring basal temperature for 3-4 cycles.

How long to measure

It is not advisable to get out of bed at night for any needs - the measurement is done after you wake up and immediately. If this happened at night, then you are measuring at this moment. But remember that the next day you will need to wake up at about the same time, otherwise the information will be distorted.

The measurement time depends on the selected measurement method:

  • by oral 4 to 5 minutes under the tongue;
  • rectal up to 8 minutes by inserting a thermometer into the rectum by 5 cm;
  • vaginal mercury lasts up to 8 minutes;
  • electronic 10-15 seconds or until the signal, entering the vagina halfway.

Perhaps you are interested in the question - is it possible to measure the basal temperature in the evening? It is better not to do this, since at this time of day the indicators are always higher than in the morning. With constant nighttime wakefulness, measure BBT during the day immediately after waking up, but sleep should last at least 5 hours in a row.

What the measured values ​​show

Regularly measured BBT lets you know how hormone levels fluctuate throughout the cycle, how it deviates, shows the day of ovulation and conception. The basal temperature chart also helps to identify the reason for the delay in menstruation.

With the help of such measurements, it is possible to identify disorders in the body due to a malfunction in the hormonal system. If you are protected by the calendar method, then this method is also shown. It is also possible to plan the gender of the unborn child if BT data is used. With unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant and if infertility is suspected, a similar method can help.

How to chart your basal temperature

Basal temperature is an indicator recorded at rest, which is not affected by external factors, heat, stress, and so on. The results are taken every day in the morning after at least 6 hours of sleep. It is best to do this rectally, which will give the most reliable indicators.

Bring down the thermometer to 34-35 degrees and insert into the anus at the required distance. After the specified time, remove it, and write the result in a notebook, making notes about existing violations, for example, alcohol taken the day before, bad sleep, and so on. And so every morning.

In the first phase of the cycle, the temperature will be from 36.4 to 36.6 degrees. Ovulation raises this level to 36.9-37.1. The day of ovulation, or when the temperature drops, is the most favorable for conception. If the temperature is too high or low, we can talk about existing violations, to identify which you need to contact a gynecologist.

It will be possible to talk about accurate diagnostics after temperature measurements for three cycles in a row.

Important: drinking in the evening before measuring alcohol affects the results. Certain medications work the same way.

And if you drink hormonal contraceptives, then such manipulations are generally meaningless, since any useful information will be missing.

Early indications and definitions

An important hormone for attaching a fertilized egg to the uterine wall is progesterone, and it is most abundant during ovulation. It is thanks to this process that BT in the early stages of pregnancy reaches values ​​from 37 to 37.3 degrees.

BT during pregnancy: norm and deviations

The above figures will indicate the normal development of the process. Although it happens that the temperature reaches up to 38 degrees, which is explained by the individual characteristics of the woman's body. But just in case, with such indicators, you need to visit a doctor.

The determination of BT is also carried out in the morning after waking up at the same time. Eating, emotional overload or physical, greatly affects the basal temperature, which is why it makes no sense to do this in the afternoon or evening.

If there is a low temperature in phase 2, then there is a risk of miscarriage. Similar indicators in a non-pregnant woman will indicate possible infertility.

An appeal to a specialist will be required if the numbers are less than 37 degrees or more than 38. In the first case, this is a lack of progesterone, which is dangerous for the baby, and in the second, the development of some kind of inflammatory process.

Diagnosis of pathologies using BT

There are a number of diseases that directly affect the BT schedule, for example, with endometritis, the temperature rises to 37 degrees, keeping it that way even when menstruation occurs.

Adnexitis will also show an elevated temperature for several days in a row, then returning to normal values. The same result indicates the inability of the egg to fertilize.

Jumps in indicators when measuring BT will indicate the death of the egg due to stress, the use of pharmaceutical drugs or other factors.

If menstruation does not occur on time and BBT is reduced, then most likely it is ovarian dysfunction, to confirm which you will need to visit a gynecologist and undergo additional examinations.

Elevated temperatures in the proliferative phase mean a lack of estrogens, and low progesterone and corpus luteum.

Indicators for a frozen pregnancy

Unfortunately, pregnancy does not always end in childbirth, miscarriages, premature births and missed abortions occur. This happens in 15% of women, which is difficult to determine. It can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but most often during the initial period, up to 13 weeks.

And it is the measurement of basal temperature (low rates) that helps to see this process in a timely manner, when it can still be prevented. The causes of this condition can be infectious diseases and the endocrine system, disruption of hormonal levels, alcohol and nicotine abuse, as well as age after 30 years.

It happens that the basal temperature is kept at 37 degrees, and the development of a missed pregnancy has begun. This can be judged then by the sharp disappearance of all symptoms - suddenly the toxicosis disappeared, the chest does not hurt, you began to look at any food normally without any special changes. In this case, the lower abdomen may begin to hurt and blood may appear in the secretions. All this should force you to immediately consult a doctor.

If nothing can be done and the pregnancy has stopped, then the only treatment is an abortion, but if the period is long, then curettage. Before the next fertilization after such procedures, it is necessary to wait six months, which will allow you to fully recover and conceive safely.

Regular and correct measurement of basal temperature will not only help you get pregnant, but also identify various abnormalities in your body. Health to you and your loved ones!

Basal temperature is the lowest temperature inside the body, measured after a long rest. Fluctuations in this temperature reflect the processes that occur in the female body. Measurement of BBT indicators and its fluctuation graph helps to find out the day of ovulation in women and use this information to plan or prevent conception.

The accuracy of determining ovulation will depend on the correct measurement. Consider how to measure the temperature.

BBT should be measured without getting out of bed, immediately after sleep. The main condition is not to make any movements, not to raise the body to a vertical position, not to stand up. Any movement activates blood flow and increases the temperature inside the body. It is for this reason that the temperature is higher in the evening.

It is required to determine the minimum temperature, which is formed only due to the work of internal organs. Therefore, it is necessary to measure BT immediately after waking up, before washing and going to the toilet.

The following conditions must be met:

It should be borne in mind that the following factors can affect the temperature indicator:

  • lack of sleep;
  • diseases of the digestive organs (inflammation of the liver and pancreas, intestinal disorders);
  • stress, nervous experiences, mental overload;
  • alcohol taken in the evening.

The above factors reduce the effectiveness of the graph, as they violate the rules of measurement.

BBT indicators and measurement technique

The thermometer must be inserted into any open body cavity (anus, vagina, mouth). According to the technique that was developed by Professor Marshal, basal temperature is measured through the anus. This is often done if the temperature needs to be measured in a newborn baby. It is not possible to keep the thermometer under the arm, because it is inserted into the anus.

For women, determining the temperature in the vagina or anus allows you to find out fluctuations in tenths of a degree. It is fractions of degrees that show significant jump in ovulation basal score.

Meaning of measured indicators

The BBT measurement method is designed to determine ovulation. Ovulation is the exit from the shell of the follicle of the egg, which occurs after its maturation. The egg begins to exit the fallopian tube and travel to the uterus. These changes accompany an increase in temperature by tenths of a degree. BBT before ovulation initially decreases slightly, and then increases sharply. Since the release of the egg, conception is possible.

Daily temperature measurement makes it possible to know the day of ovulation. This, in turn, allows you to take appropriate measures to prevent pregnancy or, conversely, to try to get pregnant on these days.

BT chart

The measured indicators are entered into a table and begin to keep a graph. In addition, additional factors should be recorded in the table, affecting measurement accuracy(presence of headache, infection, cold).

The graph looks like a broken line. At the beginning of the monthly indicator is approximately at around 36.9-37.1C (fluctuations of 0.1-0.4C are possible).

After menstruation, the degrees decrease to the lowest levels - 36.6-36.9C. This temperature is required for the maturation of the egg. The ripening period can take up to 2 weeks, so in the next decade the graph will begin to fluctuate around one indicator - from 36.7C, down or up by 0.1-0.3C.

The day before ovulation, the degree decreases (by 0.3-0.5), then sharply increases by 0.4-0.7C and reaches 37C.

temperature during ovulation

BBT during ovulation is a slight decrease before increasing to 37C. By the way, the highest probability of conception on this day is 35%. Therefore, if you are not planning a pregnancy, then you need to limit sexual intercourse or use protection (a condom or other contraception).

After ovulation, basal body temperature is e rise to the upper level ( with slight fluctuations at the top of the graph).

The subsequent schedule will depend on whether the body is preparing for menstruation or pregnancy has occurred. If pregnancy has taken place, then the basal rate will be at a high level. In the female body, progesterone is produced, which maintains a high temperature.

If conception did not occur, then the hormonal background normalizes, the indicator decreases. This is noted a week before menstruation (BT decreases by 0.4-0.7C).

This ovulation BBT schedule is usually found in healthy women. With some violations, the normal broken graphics get lost, the jump becomes not so pronounced. Then the biological method of contraception is ineffective. Pregnancy can occur despite the pronounced absence of a temperature jump.

Diagnosis of diseases by BT

The whole cycle of changes during the month makes it possible to identify the causes of infertility and other disorders. The most common cause of infertility in women is the lack of ovulation. Temperature measurement makes it possible to determine which days of the cycle are easiest to get pregnant and whether the release of the egg begins.

In addition, BT indicates the presence inflammatory process in other organs and systems. This affordable method helps to examine yourself for the identification of hidden diseases completely free of charge, independently and simply.

Days of desired conception and safe sex

Monthly measurements of BBT make it possible to determine a typical graph of temperature changes in the body. According to the schedule, with a high probability it is possible to predict the days when pregnancy is possible and the days when conception is impossible under any circumstances. This data can be used as a warning of pregnancy, or to conceive a child. Consider when conception is possible and how to use this method as a contraceptive.

The days of possible conception are two days immediately after the release of the egg from the follicle. And also 2-3 days before the start of ovulation.

These days, the egg cannot yet be fertilized. However, spermatozoa remain viable for several days. Therefore, getting into the uterus through the vagina, they stay in it for 2-3 days and fertilize the egg immediately when it leaves the follicle. That is, a few days before ovulation can be added to the days of probable conception.

The time of ovulation, as well as the days before it (about 4-6 days) are called fetal. If you are not planning a pregnancy, then it is better to refrain from sex. If you have planned a child, then you need to have sex the day before ovulation. How to find out about the release of the egg, which BT should be measured in the vagina during ovulation?

The day of ovulation according to the schedule is a slight decrease in temperature, and after a few days - a sharp jump up. These two days must be considered fertile (who wants to get pregnant) or "dangerous" (for opponents of conception).

The time after ovulation is called absolute infertility. The life span of an egg after release is one day. And. unfertilized egg after this is destroyed, the possibility of becoming pregnant after ovulation after two days is minimal.

The above division of days into periods of impossible and possible conception is not fair for all women. The protection system will only work if the menstruation is stable. For others, this method is ineffective.

Deviations and the norm

Any changes in the BBT indicator are the result of a hormonal disorder. In a woman's body, all vital processes are determined by hormonal changes. Therefore, pregnancy occurs due to changes in BBT.

During pregnancy, BT is at a high level (more than 37.3C). The presence of increased BBT creates the hormone progesterone, which is intensively formed in the first 4 months of gestation. Therefore, the BT indicator is high at this time. After the amount of progesterone decreases, at the same time B.T. decreases. Therefore, after three weeks of pregnancy, it is pointless to measure its value.

In the first term of pregnancy, BT is the main sign, by which conception is judged even before the delay of menstruation. But this is an ambiguous sign. Preservation of a high level of temperature may accompany the use of certain drugs, exercise, inflammatory diseases. Therefore, a test can definitely tell you about pregnancy. And high BT - indirectly.

Pregnancy definitions with BT

Attention should be focused on two main conditions:

  1. BBT is measured at the same time in the morning (a difference of no more than 20 minutes is acceptable).
  2. BT is measured without getting out of bed. In order to measure the temperature correctly, the thermometer must be left on a table near the bed, where it can be reached by hand, without turning the torso.

You don't need to take your temperature throughout the day. BT during the day will not be able to show important changes in the body. Only daily measurements in the morning will reflect the real level of hormones.

Graph of the basal temperature of a healthy woman during pregnancy

The BBT chart during pregnancy looks like a broken line, fluctuating in the range of + 37.5C. A decrease in the indicator by less than 36.9C indicates that the progesterone content has decreased in the body. This means the likelihood of a miscarriage, a missed pregnancy, or a threat of a breakdown. A doctor's consultation is required.

But this diagnosis is also ambiguous. Probably, you have heard enough stories about difficult childbirth or overwork has affected. Any experiences, overloads and stresses reduce the BT indicator and lower hormone levels. Try to just bounce back and leave your nerves for later.

The maximum value of BT during pregnancy can reach up to + 38C. If your BBT level is higher, you should consult your doctor. This indicator is often accompanied by inflammation, internal infections.

What should be BT before menstruation? And why is this indicator important? Temperature measurement before and during menstruation makes it possible to determine the presence of an inflammation process in the body. If the temperature during menstruation jumps above 38C, then this means that there is a hidden source of inflammatory disease inside.

  1. BT before menstruation - high. During menstruation, the amount of progesterone decreases, therefore, a decrease in the basal rate begins. From higher rates (37.8C on the first day of menstruation), it decreases to 37.1C (by the 4th-5th day of menstruation).
  2. BT during menstruation is the average between the elevated temperature of the previous period and the lowered rate after menstruation. During menstruation, BBT remains at a level of approximately 37C or slightly lower.
  3. BT after menstruation is the lowest indicator of the cycle (except for the day of ovulation, when the indicator additionally decreases by several degrees).

Why is it necessary to know which BT is before menstruation? Measurements are required for early diagnosing pregnancy. If you have had sexual intercourse without a contraceptive, then you will be able to detect the presence of pregnancy even before the delay in menstruation. Why measure B.T. If the basal rate does not decrease, then it means that there is a pregnancy.

If you follow all the rules for determining the basal temperature, you can discover a lot of new things for yourself. But do not forget that you should not draw certain conclusions yourself, taking into account the obtained graphs. This can only be done by a qualified gynecologist and only after additional examinations.

Attention, only TODAY!

Ovulation is a key event in a woman's menstrual cycle. If you accurately determine the day when it occurs, it is possible not only to plan conception, but also to slightly influence the sex of the unborn baby.

To get information about when the egg leaves the ovary, various methods allow: ultrasound of the ovaries or determining the concentration of sex hormones several times during the cycle. But the simplest and free method that every woman is able to carry out at home has been and remains the conduct of basal thermometry. A careful analysis of how the basal temperature changes daily will make it possible to study the work of the ovaries, to understand whether ovulation occurs or not, to determine pregnancy before the test can show it.

The essence of the method of basal thermometry

The key role in the management of the female body is played by sex hormones: progesterone and estrogen, prolactin, gonadotropic hormones of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The balance between them is reflected in many processes, including body temperature, which is called basal.

Basal temperature is the lowest temperature indicator, indicating the actual temperature of the internal organs. It is determined immediately after rest (usually after a night's sleep), before the start of any physical activity that will create a measurement error. For its establishment, only departments that have communication with body cavities are suitable. These are the vagina (it is connected with the uterus), the rectum (it is directly connected with the large intestines) and the oral cavity, which passes into the oropharynx.

The hormones estrogen and progesterone set the level of the basal rate. They "dictate" what basal temperature a woman should have during ovulation.

The normal amount of estrogen in itself does not affect the temperature. The task of this hormone is to prevent progesterone from affecting the thermoregulatory center located in the hypothalamus (this is the area associated with the brain).

In the first half of the cycle, estrogen dominates. It keeps your basal body temperature from rising above 37°C. During the period of ovulation, when an increased amount of estrogen first enters the bloodstream, there is a decrease in the temperature index by about 0.3 ° C. When the egg leaves the follicle, and in its place a corpus luteum appears, producing progesterone, the thermometer shows 37 ° C or more. At the same time, the graph of basal thermometry becomes similar to a bird with open wings, whose beak symbolizes the day of ovulation.

Further, when the corpus luteum dies (if conception has not occurred) and the amount of progesterone decreases, the temperature drops. During menstruation, the indicator stays at 37 ° C, then decreases and everything repeats again.

If pregnancy occurs, more and more progesterone is normally produced, so the temperature does not decrease, as before menstruation, but, on the contrary, increases.

What will determine the day of ovulation

Knowing on what day the oocyte leaves the follicle, a woman can:

  • plan pregnancy: after 3-4 months of scheduling, you can practice sexual intercourse not “approximately”, counting 14 days from the expected start of the next menstruation, but knowing exactly the day of ovulation;
  • plan the gender of the unborn baby (the method is not 100%). If you want a boy to be born, then it is better to plan sexual intercourse on the day of ovulation (basal temperature decreases on this day and vaginal leucorrhoea acquires the color and texture of raw chicken protein). If the dream is to give birth to a girl, it is better to have sex 2-3 days before the expected ovulation;
  • knowing when ovulation occurs, you can, on the contrary, avoid conception, since a few days before it, the day the egg is released and the day after are the most “dangerous” days;
  • the graph will show if there are hormonal problems, inflammation of the reproductive organs or lack of ovulation (), which is why conception does not occur.

In addition, drawing a graph of basal thermometry in some cases will allow you to determine pregnancy without buying a test. And if you continue to lead it for the first time after conception, you can see the threat of miscarriage in time and take the necessary measures.

How to properly conduct basal thermometry

It is very important to know how to correctly measure basal temperature to determine ovulation. After all, a woman's body is extremely sensitive to minimal changes in external conditions, and the units of measurement in which the graph is maintained are tenths of a degree (it is here that a fluctuation of 0.1-0.05 ° C can be important).

Here are the basic rules, under which the temperature graph will become as informative as possible:

  1. Measurements are taken either in the rectum (optimal), or vaginally, or in the mouth (this requires a special thermometer).
  2. The thermometer should be inserted 2-3 cm and lie down quietly, taking measurements, for 5 minutes.
  3. Before taking measurements, sit down, spin, get up, walk, eat. Even shaking the thermometer can give false readings.
  4. Choose a good quality thermometer (preferably a mercury one) that will take your temperature daily for 3-4 months.
  5. Put on a table (shelf) near the bed, which you can reach in the morning without getting up, 3 things: a thermometer, a notebook and a pen. Even if you start keeping your schedule on a computer - in online or offline programs, it is best to read the thermometer readings and immediately write it down with the number.
  6. Take measurements every morning at the same time. Plus or minus 30 minutes.
  7. Be sure to sleep for at least 6 hours before taking measurements. If you got up at night, take measurements later so that 6 hours have passed.
  8. Thermometry should be taken at 5-7 am, even if you can sleep until noon. This is due to the daily biorhythms of the hormones of the adrenal glands and the hypothalamus, which affect the basal temperature.
  9. The accuracy of measurements is affected by travel, alcohol intake, physical activity, sexual intercourse. Therefore, try to avoid these situations as much as possible during the basal thermometry, but if they happen, mark them on the chart. And if you get sick and a fever develops, all measurements for the next 2 weeks will be completely uninformative.

When to start measuring basal temperature?

From the very first day, menstruation, that is, from the first day of the cycle.

How to schedule?

You can do this on paper in a box by drawing 2 lines: on the horizontal line (along the abscissa) mark the day of the month, draw the vertical (y-axis) so that each cell indicates 0.1 ° C. Every morning, put a dot at the intersection of the thermometry indicator and the desired date, connect the dots together. You don't need to take your temperature in the evening. Under the horizontal line, leave a space where you will take daily notes about highlights and events that have occurred that could affect the indicators. On top of the measurement results, from day 6 to day 12, draw a horizontal line. It is called covering and serves for the convenience of deciphering the graph by a gynecologist.

We also suggest using the ready-made template of the basal temperature chart below by saving it to your computer and printing it out. To do this, hover over the image and use the right-click menu to save the image.

Note! If you are taking birth control, you do not need to take a thermometer. These drugs specifically disable ovulation, which makes them contraceptives.

Read also about other methods for determining ovulation in ours.

What the basal temperature graph looks like during ovulation (that is, during a normal ovulatory cycle):

  • in the first three days of menstruation, the temperature is about 37 ° C;
  • by the end of the monthly temperature indicators fall, amounting to 36.4-36.6 ° C;
  • further, within 1-1.5 weeks (depending on the length of the cycle), thermometry shows the same numbers - 36.4-36.6 ° C (it can be lower or higher, depending on the metabolic processes in the body). It should not be the same every day, but fluctuate a little (that is, not a straight line is drawn, but zigzags). The 6 values ​​connected by an overlapping line should be followed by three days when the temperature is 0.1°C higher or higher, and on one of these days it is higher than 0.2°C. Then after 1-2 days you can wait for ovulation;
  • just before ovulation, the thermometer shows the basal temperature lower by 0.5-0.6 ° C, after which it rises sharply;
  • during ovulation, the basal temperature is in the range of 36.4-37 ° C (according to other sources - above 37 ° C). It should be 0.25-0.5 (on average, 0.3 ° C) higher than at the beginning of the menstrual cycle;
  • what should be the basal temperature after ovulation depends on whether conception has occurred or not. If pregnancy does not occur, the numbers decrease gradually, totaling approximately 0.3°C. The highest temperature is observed on the 8-9th day after the release of a mature oocyte. Just on this day, the implantation of a fertilized oocyte into the inner uterine membrane occurs.

Between the average figures of the two halves of the cycle - before and after ovulation - the temperature difference should be 0.4-0.8 ° C.

How long does basal body temperature last after ovulation?

Before the onset of menstruation. Usually it is 14-16 days. If 16-17 days have already passed, and the temperature is still above 37 ° C, this most likely indicates pregnancy. During this period, you can do a test (the main thing is that 10-12 days have already passed after ovulation), you can determine hCG in the blood. Ultrasound and examination by a gynecologist are still uninformative.

These are indicators of the norm of basal temperature during ovulation, as well as before and after it. But not always the menstrual cycle looks so perfect. Usually, the numbers and the type of curve raises many questions among women.

High numbers in the first phase of the cycle

If, after menstruation, the figures of basal thermometry are above 37 ° C, this indicates an insufficient amount of estrogen in the blood. In this case, an anovulatory cycle is usually observed. And if you subtract 14 days from the next menstruation, that is, look at phase 2 (otherwise it is not visualized), then there are sharp jumps in temperature indicators, without their gradual increase.

The syndrome is accompanied by various unpleasant symptoms: hot flashes, headaches, heart rhythm disturbances, increased sweating. This type of temperature curve, together with the determination of low levels of estrogen in the blood, requires the doctor to prescribe drugs - synthetic estrogens.

Progesterone and estrogen-progesterone deficiency

If after ovulation the basal temperature does not rise, this indicates progesterone deficiency. This situation is a common cause of endocrine infertility. And if conception does occur, then there is a danger of an early miscarriage, until the placenta is formed and takes over the function of producing progesterone.

The insufficient work of the corpus luteum (a gland formed at the site of the opened follicle) is indicated by a decrease in temperature indicators already 2-10 days after ovulation. If the length of the 1st phase of the cycle can still vary, then the second phase should be the same and average 14 days.

Progesterone deficiency can also be assumed when the numbers rise to only 0.3 ° C.

If you already have a low basal temperature for 2-3 cycles after ovulation, contact your gynecologist with this schedule. He will tell you on which days of the cycle you need to donate blood to determine progesterone and other hormones in it, and based on this analysis, he will prescribe treatment. Usually, the administration of synthetic progesterones is effective, and as a result, the woman is able to become pregnant and bear the child.

Estrogen-progesterone deficiency

This condition, when the ovaries do not produce sufficient amounts of both hormones, is indicated by a temperature graph that does not have significant fluctuations (there are large areas with straight lines, not zigzags). This condition is also indicated by an increase in temperature indicators of only 0.3 ° C after ovulation.

Anovulatory cycle

If it is already day 16 of the menstrual cycle, and there is no characteristic decrease, and then an increase in temperature, most likely, there was no ovulation. The older the woman, the more such cycles she has.

Based on the foregoing, basal thermometry is a simple and budgetary method for determining the optimal days for conception, as well as the reasons why pregnancy may not occur. It requires only 5-10 minutes of time in the morning. Whatever indicators you see in yourself, this is not a reason for panic or self-treatment. Contact the gynecologist with your schedules for several cycles, and you will be assigned a diagnosis and treatment.

Those women who are waiting for motherhood can not wait to find out early whether conception has occurred or not. There are various ways to. Some people know that measuring basal body temperature (BT) will help to find out if fertilization has taken place. But in order to perform this procedure, it is necessary to take into account some factors.

What is basal body temperature?

First, it will be useful to understand what should be understood by such a term. This concept refers to the lowest body temperature that is maintained during sleep or rest. Most often, its measurements are carried out in the rectum. Its values ​​fluctuate, on the basis of which it is possible to draw conclusions about the processes occurring in the body. Daily measurements should be recorded in the BBT chart.

After critical days, the basal temperature can be in the range of 36.2 ° C-36.9 ° C and gradually decreases. In the middle of the cycle during ovulation, it reaches 37.2-37.4 ° C, and this is explained by the increased production of progesterone. If fertilization has taken place, then the level of the hormone remains high and the temperature is also at elevated levels. In the case when conception has not occurred, the thermometer readings fall.

During pregnancy, before the delay on the BT schedule, there should be a sharp decrease in temperature for 1 day. This is called implantation depression. During this period, there is a sharp release of estrogen, which accompanies the implantation of the egg.

Rules for measuring basal temperature

This method is affordable and quite simple, but it still requires the fulfillment of certain conditions, because various external factors can influence the indicators. Therefore, for those who want to know how to measure basal temperature to determine pregnancy, you should pay attention to these tips:

  • measurements should be taken without getting up in bed, because the thermometer is best placed in close proximity to the place of sleep;
  • uninterrupted sleep before manipulation should exceed 4-6 hours;
  • taking certain medications can affect the results and distort the picture, therefore it is better to clarify such nuances with your doctor;
  • All measurements must be taken with one thermometer.

Also, for those who want to figure out how to correctly measure the basal temperature during pregnancy, it is important to remember that the manipulation should be carried out in the early morning, immediately after waking up. It is believed that the most optimal time for the procedure will be 6-7 in the morning. If a girl oversleeps one day and decides to take measurements at 9.00, then the result will already be indicative. It is better to set an alarm every day for the required time.

Various external factors strongly influence BT. Of course, no one is safe from them, so we can recommend entering information about them into the schedule. It is useful to make notes about such influences:

  • severe stress;
  • hypothermia, overheating;
  • poor health, exacerbation of chronic diseases, colds;
  • a change in the usual climate, for example, a trip on vacation;
  • great physical activity;
  • alcohol intake.

If a girl on the graph saw signs of an onset pregnancy, and at some point she began to notice that the temperature began to gradually decrease, then she should consult a doctor. This may signal problems leading to

If a woman cannot evaluate the results herself, she has difficulties and questions, then also do not be shy to ask questions to the doctor. He will help analyze the schedule and explain what's what.

The results can be recorded on paper or saved on your phone or tablet. Today, various applications have been developed for the Android and iOS platforms that allow you to enter the data you have received, build visual graphs, and even give information tips. Here are a few of these applications: Eggy, Lady's Days, Period Сalendar and others.