The menstrual cycle is divided into phases that successively replace each other. Depending on the phase, the content of hormones in the woman's body can either increase or decrease, along with this, the indicators change. basal temperature.
Basal temperature values
The body of each person has individual characteristics. Therefore, each woman's normal basal temperature is different. In this case, the main criterion is not the temperature indicator, but the difference in temperature values \u200b\u200bbetween the phases of the cycle.
If the female body is functioning normally, the minimum difference between temperatures in the first and second phases is at least 0.4 degrees.
Normally in follicular phase (immediately after menstruation) the level of estrogen in the blood rises, as a result of which a basal temperature of 36.7 degrees is determined. In some situations, the values \u200b\u200bmay be slightly lower, for example, the basal temperature of 36.4 degrees in the follicular phase is not a violation. However, if during this period the basal temperature is 36.1 degrees, this is already a pathology that requires consultation with a specialist.
Before the onset of ovulation, the basal temperature is 36.6 degrees. What does a basal temperature of 36.8 mean during this period? Basal temperature 36.8 at this stage of the cycle is also normal rate... On the day of egg maturation, temperature values \u200b\u200bincrease, and a basal temperature of 36.9 is determined.
What does it mean? This suggests that the level of hormones has increased, and the body is ready to fertilize and fix the ovum in the wall of the uterus. At the time of ovulation, temperature indicators can reach 37.2 degrees. After ovulation, the basal temperature is 36.9 degrees.
Then a decrease in temperature values \u200b\u200bis observed. But here, too, everything is individual - in some women, others have a basal temperature of 36.9 in the second phase. Sometimes just before menstruation, the basal temperature is 36.9 degrees - this also does not go beyond the normal range.
However, in some cases, a basal temperature of 36.9 degrees before the onset of menstruation can talk about pathology, so a consultation with a gynecologist will not be superfluous.
Low basal temperature
As noted above, the basal temperature is a purely individual indicator and there is no strict standard. So, for example, a basal temperature of 36 degrees and a basal temperature of 36.5 degrees is a normal individual phenomenon, provided that the difference between the phases is at least 0.4 degrees.
If the difference in temperature values \u200b\u200bis less than 0.4 degrees or the average basal temperature is at a low level, this may indicate a violation.
For example, low temperature indicators are observed with such pathologies:
Basal temperature data during pregnancy
During pregnancy, basal temperature is the most important indicator with which you can identify possible violations on early stage, up to the threat of miscarriage. Temperature indicators are of particular importance when menstruation is delayed.
A basal temperature of 36.7 with a delay, as a rule, means that conception has not occurred. The reason for the absence of menstruation in this case may be a gynecological disorder. A symptom of a violation may be a basal temperature of 36.8 with a delay.
However, the cause of the delay is not always pathology. A shift in the menstrual cycle can be associated, for example, with climate change. Therefore, all factors must be considered when plotting temperature values.
If conception has occurred, the temperature indicators will be 37 degrees or more. In a normal state, a basal temperature of 36.7 cannot be during pregnancy. During the carrying of a child, the content of progesterone is increased, which means that the temperature indicators are also increased. However, in certain situations, the temperature may be colder.
It should be noted that it is precisely a persistent decrease in temperature values \u200b\u200bthat is meant. If a basal temperature of 36.8 during pregnancy was detected once, this is not yet a symptom of a disorder. A similar phenomenon rather speaks of the general state of the woman's body.
The expectant mother should be alerted to the low temperature values \u200b\u200bthat have been determined for some time. Basal temperature 36.6 during pregnancy, in most cases, indicates a threat of miscarriage.
In such a situation, it is necessary to immediately contact a medical institution, especially if low temperature readings are accompanied by symptoms such as pain, persistent uterine tone, bloody discharge.
Basal temperature of 36.9 during pregnancy may be associated with a deficiency of sex hormones. A decrease in the production of progesterone in the body of the expectant mother can lead to a miscarriage.
After all, it is progesterone that prevents uterine contractions and, as a result, detachment of the ovum.
To establish an accurate diagnosis, a blood test is mandatory. If the reason for the decrease in temperature indicators is a deficiency of progesterone, the expectant mother is prescribed special medications containing progesterone.
With the timely detection of deviations and carrying out appropriate medical manipulations, pregnancy can be saved in most cases.
In order to obtain accurate data, the temperature must be measured taking into account the following recommendations:
When should you see a specialist?
If, under the condition of correct measurements of temperature indicators, significant deviations from the norm are observed for a long time, you should consult a gynecologist to perform an additional medical examination and make a correct diagnosis.
A specialist consultation is necessary in such situations:
Basal temperature control is an effective diagnostic method when planning pregnancy.
Also, graphs of temperature indicators allow you to identify hormonal disorders in a woman's body (provided that the temperature is measured correctly). Therefore, many specialists today use this simple, but at the same time reliable method of research.
Many women want to know about pregnancy as early as possible. In most cases, this is very difficult to do before your period is delayed. However, sometimes you can notice some patterns that allow you to draw certain conclusions. One of the useful ways to determine the onset of pregnancy is the basal temperature chart. Today we will talk about one of the most common types of BT chart - a three-phase chart.
A typical BT schedule is two-phase. The temperature curve in this type of graph has a clearly defined division into a zone low temperatures in the first phase of the menstrual cycle and the zone high temperatures in the second phase.
The three-phase graph has three stable temperature shifts. The third shift usually occurs 7-10 days after ovulation. It is characterized by a further rise in temperature.
The reason for the shift in temperature that occurs after ovulation is an increase in the level of progesterone that the corpus luteum begins to produce. In some cases, after implantation occurs (the attachment of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus), progesterone levels rise even more. As a result, another temperature shift can be seen on the graph.
How to determine the third phase on the BT chart?
Most often it is very easy to define the third phase, if it exists at all. In the second half of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, the temperature suddenly rises above the previous few days by 0.2-0.4 degrees and will not fall. However, on some charts, it is not easy to identify the presence of the third phase, because there is no significant increase. Nevertheless, if you see a slow and steady rise on the graph, followed by another, albeit small, but steady rise in basal temperature, then we can talk about a three-phase schedule.
Sometimes you can also see a graph in which a steady rise in temperature is observed after ovulation, but then, approximately in the middle of the second phase, there is a sharp drop in temperature by 0.3-0.6 degrees, then the temperature returns to its previous high values \u200b\u200band then rises even more. ... In this case, along with the third phase, we observe implantation depression on the basal temperature graph.
Does a three-phase chart always indicate pregnancy?
Unfortunately, not always. A three-phase BT schedule can indeed be one of the first signs of pregnancy. But with the same probability, he may not talk about anything. The three-phase schedule is not common, but it occurs even when there was no conception. Therefore, we cannot speak of it as a serious indicator.
In addition, it is worth noting that no serious research has been conducted on this topic. So if you are trying to get pregnant and you have a three-phase graph on your chart, this may be a good sign, but you should not draw one hundred percent conclusions based on it. You should still wait for the delay in menstruation and do a pregnancy test. And, only if he shows a positive result, it will be possible to talk about the onset of pregnancy.
Allows you to solve several problems:
- check how correctly the ovaries release hormones during the phases of the menstrual cycle;
- determine whether the egg is maturing and when it happens (respectively, highlight the "dangerous" days in order to protect, or vice versa, the possibility of getting pregnant);
- find out if pregnancy has occurred in case of delay or unusual menstruation;
- suspect the presence of endometritis - inflammation of the uterus.
Basal temperature, that is, the temperature measured in a woman's anus, reflects fluctuations associated with changes in the tissue reactions of the internal genital organs, depending on the production of certain hormones. These temperature fluctuations are local in nature and do not affect the temperature measured, for example, in armpit or in the mouth. However, a general increase in temperature as a result of illness, overheating, etc. naturally affects the BT readings and makes them unreliable.
Therefore, the RULES FOR MEASURING basal temperature are quite strict:
- The temperature should be measured at approximately the same time on weekdays and holidays.
- A medical thermometer should be prepared in advance, put in the immediate vicinity of the bed.
- Without getting up, without sitting down, without showing much activity in bed, take a thermometer and insert its narrow part into the anus.
- Lie motionless for 5 minutes.
- Remove the thermometer, write down the indicator in the table.
The basal temperature recording table is as follows:
This form of recording greatly helps the woman herself and her doctor to understand possible reasons infertility, cycle disorders, etc.
The column "special marks" includes some deviations that can affect BT: common disease with an increase in temperature, diarrhea, intercourse in the evening (and even more so in the morning), drinking alcohol, measuring BT at an unusual time, going to bed later (for example, went to bed at 3 o'clock, and measured at 6), taking sleeping pills, etc. ...
For clarity, it is better to build a graph on a sheet of plain paper in a box. One sheet contains the temperature for the entire cycle (but not for a month!). One cell corresponds to one day horizontally and 0.1 ° C vertically. Typically a horizontal line is drawn at 37.0 ° C.
Normally, BT looks like a flying gull: in the 1st half of the cycle it is below 37.0 ° C, and in the 2nd half - higher. The NORMAL cycle graph for a FERTILIZED woman has the following parameters (the average cycle duration is conventionally taken - 28 days).
- From the 1st day of the cycle until the end of menstruation, BT decreases sequentially from about 37.0 to about 36.3 ° C – 36.5 ° C.
- Until about the middle of the cycle (in longer cycles - until about the day 2 weeks before the start of the next menstrual period) the OVAG RAPES, and therefore BT rises to 37.1 ° C - 37.3 ° C within 3-4 days. (For many women, BT may drop by 0.1 ° C to 0.2 ° C before a 1–2 day increase).
- During phase II, BT is kept within 37.0 ° C - 37.4 ° C.
- 2–3 days before the onset of menstruation, BT begins to decrease, reaching about 37.0 ° C by the beginning.
- The difference between the average BT of the second phase and BT of the first phase should be at least 0.4 ° C – 0.5 ° C.
Described is an ideal that is rare enough. Deviations can be varied, with each feature indicating certain violations.
- During menstruation, BT does not decrease, but increases - the presence of chronic endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining). One of the reasons for the high BT in phase I (36.6 ° C and above) is the low content of estrogens (female sex hormones), the reason for the immature egg cell in this cycle.
- The rise of BT in the middle of the cycle lasts more than 3 days - the egg is either not matured or not viable. Pregnancy in this cycle is questionable.
- Phase II less than 12-14 days - phase II failure, the egg is not mature, or weak. Fertilization is questionable.
- In phase II, BT has one or several depressions (decreases below 37.0 ° C) - the ovum has died.
- The decrease in BT before menstruation lasts more than 3 days - the egg was weak, conception is doubtful.
- Menstruation is absent, and BT is kept within the framework of phase II for MORE than 2 weeks - a likely sign of pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are needed.
- Menstruation is absent, but BT has dropped below 37.0 ° C - pregnancy is very doubtful, most likely we are talking about ovarian dysfunction.
- Menstruation is scanty or unusual, and BT is kept above 37.0 ° C - pregnancy is possible against the background of the threat of termination. Pregnancy tests are needed.
- The difference between the mean BT of phases 1 and II is less than 0.4 ° C - the egg does not mature.
- In the middle of the cycle, there is a double rise: BT rises, for example, to 37.1 ° C for 1 day, then decreases to 36.8 ° C for 1-2 days, and then rises to 37.2 ° C - 37.4 ° C and so it lasts until the end - usually a sign of extraneous influence at 1 ascent (illness, diarrhea, etc. - see special marks).
- In the middle of the cycle, there is a double rise: BT rises, for example, to 37.2 ° C for 2-3 days, then decreases to 36.8 ° C for 1-2 days, and then rises and stays above 37.0 ° C, but not as stable as usually - the egg died immediately after maturation.
With a cycle longer or shorter than 28 days, phase I is lengthened or shortened (before the temperature rises), and phase II in any case should be at least 12-14 days.
To calculate "dangerous days" with calendar protection, it is necessary to measure BT for at least 3-4 cycles. "Dangerous days" are calculated as follows: from the day on which the temperature crossed the 37 ° C line, count 6 days back and forth. With a PERFECT cycle, this will be: the maturation of the egg occurred on day 14.
- 14–6 \u003d 8 (“dangerous days” began on the 8th day from the beginning of menstruation).
- 14 + 6 \u003d 20 (on the 20th day from the beginning of menstruation, the "dangerous days" ended).
Thus, from 1 to 7 days of the cycle and from 21 to the end, you can live without protection.
"Dangerous days" are made up of 2 factors: about 6 days, sperm can live in the uterus, waiting for the maturation of the egg; for about 6 days (editor's note from 12 to 24 hours), the egg lives, waiting for fertilization.
ATTENTION! If in different cycles the day of crossing the 37 ° C level "walks" (for example, the egg matures on days 12, 18, 13), then to determine the "dangerous days" subtract 6 from the LESS indicator (in this case, day 12) and add 6 to BIG (in this case - day 18). Thus, in the above example, “dangerous days” are from 6 to 24 days. Of course, in this state of affairs, the physiological (calendar) method of protection is of little use.
The same is true for short cycles. For example, if the cycle lasts 21 days, then the maturation of the egg begins on the 7th day. "Dangerous days", respectively, from 2 to 13, if the day of ripening does not "walk".
HIGH TEMPERATURE IN PHASE I
(for example, 36.8 ° C in the usual phase II - 37.2 ° C - 37.4 ° C) indicates a LACK of estrogens, which must be taken (for example, Microfollin 1 tablet per day from 1 day of the cycle until the temperature rises).
LOW TEMPERATURE IN PHASE II
(for example, 37.0 ° C - 37.1 ° C with normal phase I - 36.3 ° C – 36.5 ° C) indicates a LACK BODY INSUFFICIENCY, which is compensated, for example, by Progesterone (1.0 1% solution intramuscularly every other day) or Turinal ( 1 tablet per day before the onset of menstruation, and in case of pregnancy - up to 10-12 weeks).
HIGH TEMPERATURE IN BOTH PHASES
(for example 36.8 ° C and 37.6 ° C) while maintaining a difference of at least 0.4 ° C is not a pathology. This condition is called hyperthermic and is a normal individual symptom.