Tracking your Basal Body Temperature or BBT is a very important tool for regulating and treating infertility. We use BBT charting in our clinic regularly and it helps us treat and diagnose issues of fertility.
HOW DO YOU TRACK YOUR TEMPERATURE ON A BBT CHART?
You will need to use a thermometer that tracks temperature changes to a tenth of a degree; this is called a digital BBT thermometer. Your temperatures are graphed on the charting paper or by also using a mobile app. Your BBT pattern helps us identify any imbalances in your body and create a more effective treatment strategy.
Take your temperature before anything else in the morning. Put your BBT thermometer within reach so you can take your temperature first thing in the morning. Any task you do, big or small, can raise your temperature and it will no be longer considered your basal body temperature.
Day 1 is the first day of your cycle. Start charting on your first day of menstrual cycle.
Record your temperature as close to the same time every morning. Be consistent when taking your temperature. It should be taken around the same time every morning with no more than within a half-hour difference. Adjust your temperature by 0.1 for every 1/2 hour difference, up to 0.2 degrees per hour. Your temperature will be lower if you take your temperature early and higher if you take it later on. Remember to note any adjustments in your chart.
Get at least 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep. This is to make sure you get the most accurate reading. Interrupted sleep affects the pituitary gland, which regulates reproductive hormones and influences your BBT.
Take your temperature vaginally, orally, or rectally. Stick with the same method for the entire cycle. Place the thermometer the same way every day; the same depth vaginally, the same part of your mouth, and rectally. Usually, temperatures are taken orally.
Bring your graph to each acupuncture appointment and have your acupuncturist analyze your chart.
LIST OF SOME BODY BASAL TEMPERATURE APPS YOU CAN USE
Ovia Fertility
Kindara
Clue
Glow
Period Tracker
Natural Cycles
Fertility Friendly
Flo
Pink Pad
Period Tracker Lite
**you can use any thermometer as long as it tracks your temperature in the 10th digit
HOW ACCURATE IS A BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE CHART?
There are a few things that can offset your BBT reading. Drinking alcohol, stress, illness, insomnia, and interrupted sleep patterns can affect it too. Noticing a rise in your BBT doesn’t necessarily mean that an egg was just released. You can ovulate without your BBT going up too. You will need to take your temperature every morning for at least a few months to pinpoint a pattern.