Ovulation chart example and interpretation of results. Basal temperature chart: significant indicators for monitoring the cycle, conception and pregnancy. What indicators are considered normal?

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

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

Why do you need a basal temperature chart?

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

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

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

How to measure basal temperature (BT) correctly

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

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

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

Basic rules for measuring basal temperature (BT)

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

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

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

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

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

When taking oral contraceptives, measuring BT makes no sense!

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

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

Date Day mts BT Highlights Notes

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

Normal basal temperature chart

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

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

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

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

Important to know when charting your basal temperature!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Obstetrician-gynecologist, Ph.D. Christina Frambos.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thermometer for measuring BT

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

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

Correct BT measurement

Accurate and effective plotting requires compliance with certain rules:

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

BT information table

The table for determining BT should include the following items:

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

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

Changes in BT relative to the cycle

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

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

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

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

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

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

Explanation and examples of BT charts

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

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

Effects of ovulation

To determine ovulation, you need to use standard rules:

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

Duration of the second phase

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hormonal deficiency: progesterone estrogen

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

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

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

Hormonal deficiency: estrogens

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

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

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

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

Basal temperature allows you to determine the time of ovulation, early pregnancy, and the presence of inflammatory gynecological pathologies. With correct and regular measurements and scheduling, you can identify the most favorable days for conception; any deviations indicate a malfunction in the body.

What does basal temperature mean?

Basal temperature (BT)- the lowest temperature of the human body at rest. Measurements can be taken orally, in the armpit, but the most accurate values ​​are rectal, when the thermometer is inserted into the rectum.

Why do you need to measure BT:

• – the method is suitable for long, short, standard and irregular cycles;
• you can determine pregnancy even before the delay;
• identify inflammatory pathologies of the pelvic organs in the early stages before symptoms appear;
• for pregnancy planning.

To measure BT, it is better to use a regular mercury thermometer and use the same thermometer throughout the entire cycle.

How to measure BT?

In order to correctly draw up a schedule and avoid errors, when measuring basal temperature, you must strictly follow the sequence of actions.

Measurement Rules:

1. In the evening, prepare a thermometer, knock it down, put it next to the bed so that you can easily reach it.
2. In the morning, without getting out of bed, insert the tip of the thermometer 5 cm into the rectum.
3. Measure the temperature for 5-7 minutes, try not to get nervous, breathe evenly and calmly.
4. Before taking your temperature, you should have at least 5–7 hours of restful sleep.
5. BT must be measured at the same time; deviations of 1 hour up or down are allowed. The indicators are recorded from the first day of the menstrual cycle, the data is entered into a special chart.

You can measure BT during the day after 4 hours of sleep, but such data is often unreliable. The method is suitable for women who have been working at night for many months; their body has had time to adapt to a new sleep and wakefulness pattern.

With the correct schedule, after 3 cycles you can learn to plan a pregnancy at home; signs of the inflammatory process will be noticeable after 1–2 months. In gynecology, average BT temperature values ​​are used to assess the state of the reproductive and genitourinary systems, but deviations often occur that are caused not by pathologies, but by the individual characteristics of the body.

How to build a graph correctly:

1. Draw 2 lines on a checkered sheet of paper; they should start from the same point and be perpendicular.
2. On the vertical axis, make markings for temperature indicators - write down the numbers from 36, 0 to 37.5, each cell is equal to 0.1 degrees.
3. You need to mark the days of the calendar on the horizontal line.
4. At the level of 37 degrees, draw a red horizontal line, draw a vertical line between 12-14 days, it conditionally divides the two-phase cycle into periods I and II.
5. Every day, place a dot at the intersection of the date and temperature values; when they are connected, a curve of the monthly cycle is formed.
6. On the graph, the day of ovulation is the highest point.
7. The optimal difference in indicators in phases I and II is 0.4–0.5 units.
8. The length of the cycle is also clearly visible on the graph; normally it is 28 days; doctors do not consider pathologies if the interval between menstruation is 21–35 days. But a long or short cycle may be a sign of ovarian failure.

Thanks to the BT chart, you can understand how well your menstruation is proceeding

Decoding the BT schedule allows the woman, and, if necessary, the gynecologist, to check how normally the cycle is proceeding, whether maturation and ovulation are occurring, and whether pregnancy has occurred.

In addition to temperature indicators, the graph should display the amount and nature of discharge and general well-being. If the day before a woman drank alcohol, had sex, was very nervous, or showed signs of a cold, all these factors are also recorded in the table, since they can distort the BT values.

How does the BT indicator change?

Changes in basal temperature indicators are influenced by the state of hormonal levels, so fluctuations in values ​​​​in different phases of the cycle are normal.

BT value by day of the cycle

When measuring BT, the length of the cycle is also important; the ideal duration is 28 days, but intervals between menstruation of 21–35 days are considered normal. The length of the first phase may vary, but the normal luteal period should always be 12–14 days.

Basal temperature phases

When drawing up a BT schedule, several types of curves are distinguished, which makes it possible to assess the state of the reproductive system.

Types of curves:

1. I – temperature indicators in the second phase increase by at least 0.4 units, the luteal period lasts 12–14 days, the values ​​decrease before ovulation and menstruation. This schedule corresponds to a normal two-phase cycle lasting 28 days.
2. II – luteal phase lasts 12–14 days, during this period the temperature rises by no more than 0.2–0.3 degrees, and decreases slightly before the release of the egg from the follicle and before the onset of menstruation. Such a curve indicates a lack of estrogen and progesterone, which often causes infertility; special tests will help to assess the level of hormones in each phase of the cycle.
3. III – an increase of 0.4 degrees is observed only shortly before menstruation, the second phase lasts 10 days or less, and BT does not drop before menstruation. Such a graph indicates luteal insufficiency, which is fraught with the development of infertility and miscarriage; correction is carried out using hormonal therapy.
4. IV – there are no ups and downs on the curve, the entire cycle, the rectal temperature is in the range of 36.1–36.7 degrees, there is no ovulation, the cycle is considered anovulatory. In a healthy woman of fertile age, such a deviation occurs 1-2 times a year, if more often, it is necessary to undergo hormonal tests.
5. V – the BT curve looks chaotic; an increase and decrease in values ​​occurs regardless of the phase of the cycle. This graph indicates low estrogen levels, and the chances of getting pregnant are minimal. Single jumps in indicators can occur due to stress, after a long flight, or during exacerbation of any chronic diseases.

Knowing the exact day of ovulation, you can plan the sex of the unborn child - if fertilization occurs directly on the day the egg is released, there is a high probability of giving birth to a boy. Girls are born after sex, which took place 48–72 hours before ovulation.

Reasons for deviations from the norm

Minor fluctuations in BT values ​​occur during stress, climate change, after sexual intercourse, and while taking certain medications. Strong deviations of the curve from the norm are a sign of endocrine pathologies, inflammatory processes; using the graph, the primary cause of infertility can be established.

Uterine fibroids are one of the causes of basal temperature failure

Why deviations occur:

1. Problems in the luteal phase - ovarian diseases, pathologies of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polyps and tumors in the genital organs. Progesterone deficiency is observed during inflammatory processes in the uterus and appendages, diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, after exhausting diets and excessive physical activity.
2. Frequent anovulatory cycles are observed in adolescence, indicating the approach of menopause, endocrine diseases, and ovarian pathologies.
3. An increase in temperature before menstruation to 38 degrees or more – endometritis, adnexitis, endometriosis, cystitis, intestinal infections, ectopic pregnancy. Additional symptoms are sharp pain in the lower abdomen, discharge mixed with pus, discomfort when emptying the bladder, vomiting, weakness.

During pregnancy, an increase in BT indicates inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs and infectious pathologies in the body. A decrease in indicators occurs with a miscarriage or frozen pregnancy.

Measuring BT is a simple and accessible method for self-diagnosis of the state of the reproductive system and hormonal levels, allowing you to track disorders of various origins in the early stages. Minor and short-term deviations from the norm occur under the influence of external factors - overwork, stress, regular fluctuations indicate endocrine and inflammatory diseases.

Ovulation is a process that takes place in the body of a healthy woman, which is associated with the release of an egg into the fallopian tube for further fertilization. Knowing when ovulation begins can help you plan your pregnancy or prevent unwanted conception. There are several methods for determining it, but the most accessible and simplest is measuring basal body temperature.

What is this?

Basal body temperature (BBT) is an indicator that is measured in a state of complete rest, in the anus, immediately after waking up in the morning. It is a reflection of a woman’s hormonal background and allows us to identify problems in the functioning of the sex glands. However, BTT is more often used to determine days favorable for conception.

Many gynecologists advise women to keep their basal temperature chart. Especially for those who are planning to expand their family. The basal temperature chart during ovulation has its own characteristics. It allows you to calculate the most suitable day to get pregnant. Basal temperature directly depends on hormonal processes in a woman’s body.

and its phases

Created for procreation, therefore all processes occurring in it are aimed at ensuring conception and preparing the body for pregnancy and childbirth. The menstrual cycle consists of three successive phases: follicular, ovulatory and luteal.

The first phase begins with menstrual bleeding, then the formation of a follicle in the ovary and the formation of a new endometrium. Its duration can be determined by the basal temperature chart. Its normal duration is 1-3 weeks. Phyllicle-stimulating hormone and estrogen play a role in this phase. It ends with the maturation of the follicle.

The second phase is ovulation itself. The walls of the follicle rupture, and the egg passes through the fallopian tube towards the sperm. The phase lasts about 2 days. If fertilization occurs, the embryo attaches to the endometrium; if not, the egg dies. On the normal day of ovulation it is at the lowest level for the entire cycle.

In the third phase, progesterone production begins. It is produced by the corpus luteum, which forms at the site of a ruptured follicle. Basal temperature after ovulation changes upward - by 0.4-0.6 °C. During this period, the female body prepares to bear and preserve the fetus. If conception does not occur, then the concentration of female sex hormones decreases, and the circle closes, the follicular phase begins. Its normal duration for all women is about 2 weeks.

Why do temperature fluctuations occur?

Measuring basal temperature during ovulation as a method characterizing hormonal changes in a woman’s body was proposed in 1953 by scientist Marshall. And now WHO has approved it as an official method for detecting fertility. Its basis is a natural change in the concentration of progesterone in the blood. This hormone affects the thermoregulatory center in the brain, which causes a local increase in temperature in the organs and tissues of the pelvis. That is why a sharp increase in temperature in the anal region occurs during the luteal phase.

Thus, ovulation divides the menstrual cycle into two parts: in the first, the average temperature is approximately 36.6-36.8 ° C. Then it drops by 0.2-0.3 °C for 2 days, and then rises to 37-37.3 degrees and remains at this level almost until the end of the cycle. The normal basal temperature pattern during ovulation is called biphasic.

Measuring BBT can help determine with high accuracy the day that is successful for conception. According to statistics, it is known that the greatest chance of getting pregnant will fall on the day before and after the temperature rise - 30% each. 2 days before the jump - 21%, 2 days after - 15%. Pregnancy can occur with a 2% chance if fertilization occurs 3 or 4 days before the temperature rises.

What is this method used for?

If you constantly draw up a graph of basal temperature, the norm and pathology begin to be traced literally after 2-3 cycles. The resulting curves can answer many questions. Therefore, gynecologists strongly recommend this method to solve the following problems:

• Determining a favorable day for conception.
• Early diagnosis of pregnancy.
• As a method of contraception.
• Detection of problems in the functioning of the gonads.

Basically, basal temperature is measured to calculate the day the ovulatory phase of the cycle begins. This is the easiest and cheapest way. Determining ovulation by basal temperature is very easy if you regularly take measurements and follow all the rules.

Correct measurement is the key to the effectiveness of the method

For the results of the method to be true, it is necessary to follow all instructions when measuring BBT, because it is very important that the basal temperature chart during ovulation includes only accurate and reliable data. There is a set of basic rules:

• Temperature measurement is carried out daily at the same time (optimally - 7.00-7.30) in the rectum.
• You must sleep at least 3 hours before the procedure.
• If a woman needs to get out of bed before the measurement time, then the readings must be taken before assuming a vertical position.
• The thermometer must be prepared in advance and placed near the bed. It is better to shake it off before going to bed.
• Temperature can only be measured in a horizontal position, lying motionless on your side.
• During the cycle, you cannot change the thermometer.
• It is better to enter readings into the graph immediately after the measurement.

Both a digital and a mercury thermometer are suitable for measurements. But an infrared thermometer is absolutely not intended for this method, since it has a high probability of error in the results. Since the basal temperature before ovulation and on the day it begins differs by only 0.2-0.3 °C, such a thermometer may not show this difference. An electronic thermometer produces large errors if you do not follow the instructions for its use. The most accurate readings can be obtained using a mercury thermometer, but it requires special care when handling.

When the obtained indicators may be incorrect

It must be remembered that basal temperature during ovulation, the norm of which is individual for each woman, can fluctuate depending on the influence of various factors. Often external influences on the body lead to the fact that BBT indicators are greatly distorted and have no informative value. These factors include:

• Flights, transfers, business trips.
• Stress.
• Excessive alcohol intake.
• Taking psychotropic and hormonal drugs.
• Inflammatory processes in the body, fever.
• Increased physical activity.
• Short sleep.
• Failure to follow measurement instructions.
• Sexual intercourse several hours before measurement.

If anything from the above list happened, then you should not trust the measurements. And the day on which the violation occurred may not be taken into account in the construction of the schedule.

How to plot basal temperature

To build a basal temperature chart, you need to take measurements every day and make notes in a specially designated notebook. The graph represents the intersection of two lines at right angles. The vertical axis contains temperature data, for example, from 35.7 to 37.3 ° C, and the horizontal axis contains the days of the menstrual cycle. Each cell corresponds to 0.1 °C and 1 day. After making the measurement, you need to find the day of the cycle on the graph, mentally draw a line up and put a dot in front of the desired temperature. At the end of the cycle, all the points of the graph are connected, the resulting curve is an objective reflection of hormonal changes in the female body.

It is worth indicating the current date in the schedule and creating a column for special notes. To ensure that the data is sufficiently complete, you can describe your well-being, symptoms or situations that could be reflected in changes in basal temperature.

If a woman doesn’t quite understand how to chart her basal temperature, then a gynecologist from the antenatal clinic will definitely explain how to do this, and will also help decipher the data received.

Now there are many programs with which you can create an electronic schedule that will always be at hand. In this case, the woman simply needs to enter the temperature readings. The program will do the rest.

Decoding the graph

In this method of determining fertility, it is important not only to construct, but also to decipher basal temperature graphs. The norm is individual for each woman. However, there is an approximate form of the graph that should be obtained if the gonads are working properly. To analyze the resulting curve, you need to construct the following elements: overlapping line, ovulation line, duration of the second phase.

The overlapping (middle) line is built over 6 points of the follicular cycle without taking into account the first 5 days and days when the indicators deviated greatly due to the influence of external factors. This element has no semantic meaning. But it is necessary for clarity.

The basal temperature decreases on the day of ovulation, so to determine the day for successful conception, you need to find successive points that are under the overlapping line. In this case, the temperature values ​​of 2 of the 3 points must differ by at least 0.1 °C from the center line, and at least 1 of them must have a difference of 0.2 °C from it. The next day after this, you can observe a jump in the point upward by 0.3-0.4 degrees. This is where you need to draw the ovulation line. If you have any difficulties with this method, you can use the “finger” rule to construct a graph. To do this, it is necessary to exclude all points that differ by 0.2 degrees from the previous or subsequent indicator. And based on the resulting graph, build an ovulation line.

After ovulation, the basal temperature in the anus should remain above 37 °C for 2 weeks. Deviations in the duration of the second phase or a small jump in temperature indicate disruption of the ovaries or low productivity of the corpus luteum. If 2 cycles in a row, the duration of the second phase does not exceed 10 days, then it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, since this is the main sign of progesterone deficiency in the luteal phase.

The basal temperature chart during ovulation must also correspond to the norm for such a parameter as the difference in temperatures between the follicular and luteal phases. This indicator should be more than 0.4 °C.

What does the graph look like in the presence of ovulation and pathologies?

A normal ovulatory schedule has two phases. In the first, you can observe an average temperature of 36.5-36.8 °C for 1-3 weeks, then a drop of 0.2-0.3 °C and a sharp rise to 37 °C and higher. In this case, the second part of the schedule should be no shorter than 12-16 days, and before the onset of bleeding, a slight decrease in temperature is observed. Graphically it looks like this:

You should also give examples of basal temperature graphs that show pathology. The curve will differ from the norm in various ways. If this occurs, the temperature jump will be no more than 0.2-0.3 °C. This condition is fraught with infertility, and therefore requires referral to specialists.

If the second phase on the graph is shorter than 10 days, then this is a clear sign of progesterone deficiency. Usually, there is no decrease in temperature before the onset of menstrual bleeding. In this case, pregnancy is possible, but under threat of termination.

If there is a lack of estrogen in a woman’s body, then the schedule will be chaotic, strikingly different from the norm. This may also be due to the influence of external factors (flights, excessive alcohol intake, inflammation, etc.).

When the curve does not have sharp jumps in temperature and is a monotonous graph, then this is called This happens in healthy women, but not more than 1-2 times a year. If this is repeated from cycle to cycle, then this may be a sign of infertility.

If after the second phase there is no decrease in temperature, then most likely the woman is pregnant.

Deciphering basal temperature charts, examples of which are presented above, requires specialist knowledge. Therefore, you should not draw conclusions on your own, diagnose yourself and prescribe treatment.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

The advantages of the method are its absolute accessibility, simplicity and complete absence of costs. When a woman regularly keeps a chart of basal temperature during ovulation, this makes it possible to determine the days of ovulation, recognize early pregnancy in time, or detect hormonal abnormalities and consult a gynecologist.

However, there are also disadvantages to the method. This method is not very accurate due to the individual characteristics of each organism. Here are its main disadvantages:

• Does not make it possible to predict when the ovulatory phase will occur.
• Does not provide accurate information about when ovulation occurred.
• Even if there is a normal two-phase schedule, it does not guarantee that ovulation actually occurred.
• Cannot provide specific information about the quantitative content of progesterone in the blood.
• Does not provide data on the normal functioning of the corpus luteum.

To know exactly how informative the method is, you need to take blood tests for female hormones and do an ultrasound in the first couple of cycles. If the data from the chart and the studies coincide, it means that the woman can safely keep a chart of her basal temperature. The norm and deviations displayed on the curve in this case will correspond to reality.

This method is convenient, simple and does not require financial expenses. If you follow all the rules exactly and know how to decipher the basal temperature chart, then finding out the day of ovulation and planning conception is very easy. However, if there are any deviations from the norm, you should consult a specialist to prevent the development of pathological processes.

Not many women know how to correctly measure and chart basal temperature, but all representatives of the fairer sex should have this skill. After all, measuring basal temperature is necessary not only for any pathology, but will help you understand your body and shed light on many questions.

What does the term “basal temperature” mean?

Basal temperature is the lowest body temperature that was recorded after a long state of rest, that is, sleep. Basal temperature is measured in the rectum, vagina or mouth. Unlike true temperature, basal temperature is always slightly higher (just a couple of tenths of degrees). Gynecologists believe that the most indicative is the basal temperature measured in the rectum, which is why its other name is rectal temperature.

The need to measure basal temperature

Measuring basal temperature and charting it is one of the functional diagnostic tests. And although this method has been used for a long time, it has not lost its relevance to this day, since measuring basal temperature not only helps in diagnosing gynecological diseases, but the method itself is simple and cheap.

In what cases is basal temperature measurement indicated:

• desire to get pregnant, and this requires setting the day of ovulation;
• protection against unwanted pregnancy, that is, the definition of so-called safe days;
• as an additional diagnostic method for inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
• disruptions in hormonal regulation (, recurrent miscarriage, ovarian dysfunction);
• infertility (it doesn’t matter which partner is “guilty”);
• establishing the duration of the phases of the menstrual cycle and ovulation;
• delay of menstruation and establishing its cause (possibly pregnancy);
• threatened or incipient miscarriage (assessment of the effectiveness of treatment and positive/negative dynamics);
• calculate the time of the next menstruation;
• desire to become pregnant with a child of a certain gender.

In order for the compiled basal temperature chart to be as informative as possible, its measurement must be carried out over (at least) three menstrual cycles and without a break (the temperature was recorded one month, but not the next - incorrectly). Firstly, this need is due to the fact that during the course of a year, even a healthy woman can experience one or two anovulatory cycles, and, secondly, it is possible to identify the influence of certain circumstances in one cycle, which, accordingly, makes the graph non-indicative ( and for comparison there are several other menstrual cycles).

But the main thing that every woman should know is that measuring basal temperature while taking hormonal contraceptive pills is an absolutely waste of time, since the artificial hormones contained in the pills suppress both ovulation and the production of their own hormones.

How to measure basal temperature correctly

In order for the compiled graph to display the correct results, and therefore be able to help in diagnosing pathology, you need to know how to measure basal temperature correctly. The main condition for measuring temperature is responsibility and discipline. The list includes a few simple rules:

• temperature measurement is carried out immediately after waking up (preliminary “trips” to the toilet, drinking water, etc. are excluded);
• The duration of sleep should be at least 3 hours, and preferably 6;
• once the thermometer is installed, you should not move or reduce movements to a minimum for the duration of the measurement (physical activity increases the temperature);
• temperature measurement must be carried out at a certain time (plus or minus an hour);
• A mercury thermometer is preferable for measuring basal temperature;
• the thermometer should be “at hand” (on the bedside table or table);
• when measuring temperature in the mouth or vagina, the measurement time is at least 5 minutes, and when measuring in the rectum, at least 3 minutes;
• Temperature measurements are also carried out on menstruation days;
• Shake the mercury thermometer in the evening;
• record temperature data immediately after measurement;
• carry out the measurement using one method (if it was carried out in the rectum, continue to measure the temperature rectally;
• There must be only one thermometer; replacing it is not allowed.

What thermometer is used to measure basal temperature?

There are 2 types of thermometers. The first – “old” version – is mercury, and the second – modern – electronic. Many believe that it is better to measure basal temperature with a modern electronic thermometer, and they would be wrong. An electronic thermometer shows temperature with errors and is good only for a one-time temperature determination, but basal temperature must be measured for at least three months and errors can blur the existing picture. Therefore, to measure basal temperature, you must use a regular mercury thermometer.

When determining the temperature in the rectum with an electronic thermometer, you should follow the rules for using the device. When the temperature measurement process is completed, the thermometer beeps, indicating the need to remove it. The final value should not be recorded immediately after extraction, but after 0.5 - 1 minute, because the temperature on the scale will continue to rise for some time.

How to chart your basal temperature

For convenience, both drawing up and reading a graph of basal temperature, it should be placed on a double notebook sheet in a cage. The days of the menstrual cycle and the date are marked horizontally, and the basal temperature readings vertically. From the point of 37 degrees horizontally, draw a red line parallel to the line of the days of the cycle. This is a control line that will make it easier to read the graph and highlight the phases of the menstrual cycle and ovulation.

“Selections” should be entered in a separate column (below, under the horizontal line). The quality and quantity of vaginal discharge is associated with the phase of the menstrual cycle. For example, on the eve and day of ovulation they are liquid, abundant and look like egg white, and in the second phase the discharge is thicker and has a milky color.

Even lower, the “miscellaneous” column is highlighted. This column includes any force majeure circumstances: air travel, alcohol consumption, business trip, sex at night or in the morning, short sleep, colds, etc.

The points that are plotted on the graph daily and indicating temperature values ​​are connected to each other. This creates a broken line.

In a healthy woman, the menstrual cycle is divided into 2 phases: follicular and luteal, which is clearly visible on the graph, since the curve will be broken, at first the temperature stays below 37 degrees, then it jumps sharply and becomes above 37. In the follicular phase, estrogens are active, under by which the main follicle matures, so the graph will display a curve below 37 degrees. The follicular phase lasts about 12 – 14 days. On the eve of ovulation, the temperature drops by 0.2 - 0.4 degrees (preovulatory relapse), and with its onset the temperature soars and becomes 0.2 - 0.4 degrees above the 37-degree line. Then the luteal phase begins, which lasts for 14 days, and the graphic line will be above 37 degrees. This increase in temperature in the second phase is explained by the action of progesterone, which affects the thermoregulation center. Before menstruation, progesterone levels drop, which means the schedule will decrease. If the temperature remains the same (above 37), and menstruation does not begin, this indicates a possible pregnancy.

Measuring basal temperature during pregnancy

A basal temperature chart may be the first sign of pregnancy before your period is missed. As mentioned above, basal temperature data fluctuates and depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle, which is determined by sex hormones. If in the follicular (first) phase the temperature should normally be below 37 degrees, then in the luteal or second phase the temperature will rise above 37 and remain at this level for about 14 days (plus or minus 2 days). On the eve of ovulation, its retraction occurs, and immediately after the release of the egg from the ovary, it increases by 0.4 - 0.5 degrees and begins to decrease only before the start of the next menstruation. If the temperature does not decrease on the eve of the expected menstruation and still remains above 37 degrees, then pregnancy can be assumed. The absence of menstruation on time plus an increased basal temperature requires a pregnancy test, which in 99% of cases will be positive.

The method of determining a probable pregnancy by basal temperature only works for ovulatory cycles that were previously confirmed either by a basal temperature chart, or by ovulation tests, or by ultrasound. But if there is no ovulation, then no matter how long the temperature is raised, this does not indicate that conception has occurred, even if there is no regular menstruation. For example, with hyperprolactinemia, when the pituitary gland produces an increased amount of prolactin, which is responsible for milk production, both signs may be present: a basal temperature above 37 degrees and the absence of menstruation.

From the above it becomes clear that basal temperature during early pregnancy remains high until the expected menstruation and does not decrease the rest of the time (against the background of delayed menstruation and subject to confirmed ovulation in previous cycles).

Implantation retraction

Speaking about the graph of basal temperature during pregnancy, one cannot remain silent about such a phenomenon as implantation retraction. Implantation is the process of implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine lining. That is, until this moment, even with the fusion of the egg and sperm, it is premature to talk about pregnancy. Only when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall and establishes a connection with the mother’s body can we assume that conception has occurred and the pregnancy continues to develop.

Against the background of implantation retraction, a small (0.1 - 0.3 degrees) drop in temperature occurs in the second phase of the cycle (the woman does not yet know about the pregnancy and is expecting her period). If the moment of ovulation is clearly visible on the temperature graph, since the difference between ovulation and the beginning of the luteal phase of the cycle is 0.5 degrees, then implantation retraction is characterized by slight fluctuations, so it is quite difficult to notice it. This phenomenon is observed approximately 7–9 days after the release of the egg from the ovary. This sign does not serve as a 100% guarantee of pregnancy. Additional criteria for this phenomenon are implantation bleeding (1–2 drops of pink or reddish color on underwear), which is also not observed in all women.

Ectopic pregnancy

Many women believe that basal temperature during ectopic pregnancy doesn't rise. In reality this statement is false. It doesn’t matter where the fertilized egg is implanted, in the uterus, in the tube or somewhere else, progesterone and hCG will be produced in any case.

Therefore, the basal temperature during an ectopic pregnancy will be above 37 degrees. From which it follows that it is impossible to determine the location of the embryo from the basal temperature graph.

Normal basal temperature readings

It is not recommended for all women to measure basal temperature, and even more so, it is not measured throughout the entire period of pregnancy, but only up to 12 weeks. As a rule, the doctor recommends keeping a temperature chart for women at high risk for miscarriage (difficult working conditions, complications of past pregnancies, such as miscarriages, premature birth, etc.).

Basal temperature during pregnancy is normally in the range of 37.1 - 37.3 degrees, but higher values ​​(up to 38) are not considered pathological. Any deviation from the norm requires immediate consultation with a doctor.

Decrease in basal temperature

An unfavorable sign is a decrease in basal temperature in the first trimester of pregnancy. This indicates a threat of termination or a frozen pregnancy. Moreover, a drop in basal temperature is possible even before the appearance of clinical manifestations (bloody discharge, aching or nagging pain in the lower abdomen and/or lower back). A drop in basal temperature is said to occur when it reaches 37 degrees or below. The same sign - a low temperature - is also observed during an ectopic pregnancy, on the eve of or at the time of rupture of the fallopian tube or tubal abortion.

Increase in basal temperature

If the basal temperature is above 38 degrees for several days, this also indicates trouble in the body. Inflammatory processes of the genital organs, colds and other diseases are not excluded.

But elevated temperature can also be caused by other factors:

• violation of measurement rules;
• taking medications;
• motor activity before and at the time of measurement, and others.