What should be the rectal temperature. Indications for measuring anal temperature. Features of rectal temperature in women

The body should adhere to the following rules:

  • control measurement should take place daily, always at the same time;
  • indicators should be measured immediately after waking up;
  • sleep should be more than 3 hours;
  • it is necessary to measure indicators no later than 8 am;
  • a medical thermometer must be prepared in advance, leaving it somewhere next to the bed;
  • it is better to use the same thermometer;
  • before taking the temperature, you must not get out of bed, sit down, or engage in any physical activity;
  • the temperature should be measured for at least 5 minutes in a stationary position;
  • the received data is marked on the graph;
  • the schedule is maintained for three to four cycles.

Such a schedule helps women to better navigate the processes taking place inside her body. It is worth remembering that due to some factors, the schedule runs the risk of being inaccurate. Errors can be introduced by:

All data must be recorded, calendar kept. The degree scale is usually marked from 35.7 ° C to 37.2 ° C.

Graph dynamics is normal

Statistics say that a healthy woman's menstrual cycle averages 28 days. Indicators basal temperature with the following:

  • 36.3 ° C - one day before the end of menstruation;
  • 36.6 - 36.9 ° C - during the follicular phase, until the middle of the cycle;
  • 37.0 - 37.4 ° C - during ovulation;
  • 37.0 ° C - a few days before the onset of menstruation;
  • the difference between the follicular and ovulation periods is 0.5 ° C.

Decreased production of estrogen hormones at the beginning of the phase results in the body. At this time, the necessary conditions are created for the maturation of the egg. The chances of getting pregnant during this period are very low.

If the menstrual cycle has certain differences from the average statistical indicators, the changes are reflected in the phase before the start of the increase in the thermometer indicators, it either lengthens or shortens. In this case, the ovulation period will last about 2 weeks (with an error of 2 days).

If the rectal temperature before menstruation is above 37 ° C, this may indicate pregnancy. You can be convinced of this when the mark remains above the number 37 for several days longer than the phase characteristic of the body from the moment after ovulation to the onset of menstruation.

To do this, you should follow the dynamics of the graph of the second phase of the cycle.

Pregnancy can be indicated by the stability of the graph when the graph shows high temperatures for 18 days.

What should be the rectal temperature before menstruation, you can understand by following the graph. A few days before their start, his indicators gradually decrease. Rectal temperature during menstruation (by the time they begin) drops to 37 ° C.

Dynamics of the graph for diseases

The indicators of the basal temperature measurement graph may indicate diseases in the woman's body. Among them:

  • inflammatory diseases in the uterus (endometritis) - during menstruation, the temperature remains at levels above 37 ° C, but before the first day of its onset, a slight decrease in indicators is characteristic;
  • hormonal insufficiency is indicated by a slow (at least three days) increase in indicators with a difference of less than 0.4 ° C. The second phase becomes shorter by up to ten days. Menstruation occurs earlier than expected. The temperature rise persists for at least a week;
  • a possible pregnancy is characterized by a rectal temperature of at least 37 ° C degrees for two weeks, without a decrease. The period of menstruation is late. If discharge begins at the same time, this may indicate a possible threat of miscarriage;
  • inflammation in the appendages is reflected on the graph as follows: in the follicular phase, the temperature rises several days before the 37 ° C mark. It does not fall before menstruation, during it it remains above 37 ° C.

If the dynamics of the graph indicates some possible health problems of a woman, you need to consult a gynecologist.

It is very difficult to diagnose the disease on your own, because in most cases it is necessary to conduct additional examinations: take smears, do ultrasound, blood tests, etc.

  • Indications for measuring rectal temperature
  • Features of rectal temperature in children
  • What Causes Fluctuations in Rectal Temperature in Women
  • Basal temperature measurement rules for women
  • How to determine pregnancy by measuring the temperature in the rectum
  • How to determine ovulation by measuring the temperature in the rectum

The temperature in the rectum, the norm and rules for its measurement is a relevant topic for people who are concerned about their state of health or have to take care of the sick. The lumen of the rectum is a cavity closed from the outside by the anal sphincter, which normally has a constant temperature regime. Fluctuations in rectal temperature can be an indicator of the presence of certain pathological conditions.

Indications for measuring rectal temperature

An increase in temperature indicators is a natural reaction of the human body to infectious agents, and rectal ones are no exception. Temperature readings in the rectum, exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, are considered elevated and in some cases may indicate an inflammatory and infectious process, therefore, it is necessary to measure the temperature at the slightest symptoms of malaise.

Measurement of temperature in the rectum is indicated under conditions such as:

  • thermoneuroses;
  • extreme physical emaciation (the lack of soft tissues in the armpit area makes it impossible for a sufficient girth of the thermometer);
  • hypothermia of the body;
  • lesions on the surface of the skin or inflammation in the armpits and on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity;
  • unconsciousness of the patient;
  • childhood.

It is necessary to measure rectal temperature while lying on your side, bringing your hips to your stomach as much as possible. Before inserting a rectal thermometer into the anus, rinse it with water, rinse off the antiseptic, or wipe it with alcohol, then wipe it thoroughly and shake it so that the height of the mercury column does not exceed 35 degrees Celsius.

Vaseline or any vegetable oil is applied to the end of the thermometer, after which it is injected at a distance of about 5 cm. After 5-6 minutes, the thermometer is removed, the results are recorded.

When assessing the result, you need to understand that the normal temperature in the anal canal exceeds the axillary temperature (in the area armpit) by 0.5-1 ° C and should be at least 37.3 ° C and not more than 37.7 ° C.

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Features of rectal temperature in children

Even a slight rise in temperature in young children, as a rule, indicates the presence infectious diseases... Temperature readings in an infant, which are below normal, may also be a serious cause for concern for parents. Health care required in the following cases:

  1. Temperature jumps in the rectum in a newborn child under the age of three months over 38 degrees, even in cases where there are no painful symptoms.
  2. If a child is older than three months, the temperature measurements in the rectum exceed 38.9 degrees.
  3. In the case of low temperature indicators in the rectum in newborns (36.1 ° C or less).
  4. If the child's temperature rise persists for 1-3 days.
  5. If the reason for the rise in temperature was unfavorable external factors that contribute to overheating of the body (prolonged exposure to the sun, in a closed car, etc.).

It is necessary to consult a doctor if the temperature rise is accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • severe pain in the head area;
  • laryngeal edema;
  • rashes on the skin;
  • stiffness of the neck muscles, accompanied by pain when the head is tilted forward;
  • increased sensitivity of the eyes to light stimulus;
  • confusion of consciousness;
  • constant vomiting, which does not stop for a day or more;
  • pain in the abdomen during urination;
  • difficulty breathing or painful sensations in the chest area;
  • lethargy or, conversely, increased irritability;
  • other atypical manifestations.

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What causes rectal temperature fluctuations in women

Analysis of changes in rectal temperature indicators is the most reliable method for determining the onset of the ovulatory cycle, due to which this study has found widespread use in the field of gynecology.

A woman's menstrual cycle consists of three phases: follicular, ovulatory and luteal. Each of them is characterized by a change in the concentration of certain hormones, which is the cause of fluctuations in rectal temperature.


By measuring the basal temperature, they determine the moment of maturation of the eggs, the presence of ovulation, the onset of conception, calculate the date of the next menstruation and determine the presence of pathologies of the endocrinological or gynecological sphere.

With the help of a combination of measurements of temperature indicators in the rectum and in the cervical canal, a high contraceptive effect is achieved, and the absence of an ovulatory cycle, which is the true cause of infertility, is revealed.

The temperature in the rectum changes as a result of the following factors:

  • drinking alcoholic beverages;
  • inflammatory or infectious diseases;
  • sexual contact;
  • stressful situations;
  • taking hormonal or sedative drugs;
  • bowel disorders;
  • intense physical activity;
  • sleep deficit.

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Basal temperature measurement rules for women

It is necessary to correctly measure the temperature.


  1. A woman should start keeping a schedule for measuring the temperature in the rectum on the first day of her period.
  2. The thermometer should remain in the anal canal for at least three minutes.
  3. The measurement is taken in the morning, immediately after sleep, without getting out of bed.
  4. The duration of sleep before measurement should be at least six hours.
  5. A reliable result can be obtained if basal temperature measurements are taken at a specific time.
  6. It is recommended to shake the mercury thermometer before going to bed, as shaking it before the morning measurement can lead to errors.
  7. Measurement indicators should be recorded in a graph.
  8. Measurement of basal temperature is meaningless if a woman uses hormonal contraception.
  9. The basal temperature measurement schedule must be drawn up for at least three months.

Before menstruation, the body of girls and women undergoes changes. A woman's mammary glands increase in size, the emotional background becomes unstable. Basal temperature readings change. Finding out what rectal temperature before menstruation is considered normal, you will simplify your life in such an important matter as planning a pregnancy. With the help of rectal indicators, you will be able to calculate the "golden" days for conceiving a baby. You will also learn about impending ailments, having noticed significant deviations in the values \u200b\u200byou are used to.

What do hormones decide ...

How can the body temperature "tell" the patient about the disease? Why is the conventional measurement format considered less reliable than studying temperature in delicate places? These questions concern many modern girls.

The patient's basal rates depend on hormones - estrogen and progesterone. These substances "work" for ovulation and conception. The girl's sex glands begin to actively produce progesterone when the egg moves into the abdominal cavity. In response to these processes, the woman's basal temperature rises. If this does not happen, the doctor talks about possible hormonal abnormalities.

You can find out the basal values \u200b\u200busing rectal measurement. For this purpose, a thermometer is inserted into the rectum. You can also measure basal values \u200b\u200bby placing the meter in your mouth or vagina. The latter option is not very convenient for a woman when her period begins. Therefore, gynecologists advise girls to measure the temperature rectally. This method is informative. In addition, monitoring the state of health does not require financial costs or significant physical effort from the girl. All you need is a thermometer, a notebook and your own discipline.

Who benefits from measuring "delicate" values?

Many girls and women will benefit from keeping a “health diary” that includes rectal readings.

Recall who needs to record basal rates with special care:

  • Patients who are unsuccessfully trying to conceive a baby.
  • Girls suffering from hormonal diseases.
  • Ladies who do not want to get pregnant and want to calculate "quiet" (in terms of hormonal activity) days.

What to do if during the measurement you notice any deviations from the generally accepted indicators? Do not rush to come up with a diagnosis of "infertility". Only an experienced physician can judge your prospects for motherhood.


Simple rules

For Eve's daughters, it is natural that the basal temperature rises sharply shortly before the critical days. A couple of days before menstruation, it decreases. To trace a clear pattern between temperature and "special" days, you should take measurements for at least three months. This will clarify the big picture. If a woman misses at least one day, the likelihood of calculating the most successful period for conception will decrease.

Let's name the conditions necessary for measuring basal values:

      • Measuring "delicate" indicators should become an everyday ritual;
      • You need to rest for more than four hours;
      • Do the procedure in the morning as soon as you wake up;
      • Prepare the thermometer in the evening. Let it lie on the coffee table. The main thing is that you can easily take it;
      • It is not recommended to get up and move before checking the baseline data;
      • Take at least five minutes to measure;
      • All information should be marked on the graph.

It doesn't matter which thermometer you decide to use - electronic or mercury. Both devices are highly accurate.

Do not rely on a good memory in such a delicate matter as measuring rectal temperature. All values \u200b\u200bshould be recorded in a notebook. You can show such a calendar to the gynecologist. Focusing on the values \u200b\u200bof rectal indicators at certain intervals of the cycle, the doctor will understand how high the chances of a successful conception are.


Ladies and girls for whom pregnancy is not a dream can also benefit from monitoring basal rates. By learning which days of your cycle are the least successful for conception, you can plan an intimate date.

Recall how the degree scale is marked. Typically, the scale is labeled from 35.7 C to 37.2 C. Gynecologists advise patients to keep a schedule for three cycles. If at least one period is missed, start over.

Events that will confuse you

In some cases, patients should not rely on objective indicators of basal temperature. What rectal temperature you should have before menstruation depends on the state of the body.

Let's list the situations that distort the results of your "research" activities:

      1. Flu.
      2. Cold.
      3. Strong physical fatigue.
      4. Sleep lasting two to three hours.
      5. Jar of Hearts.
      6. Sexual contact that happened shortly before the "event".
      7. Stormy party with strong drinks.
      8. Taking antibiotics.
      9. Changing climatic conditions.

Food poisoning and trauma can also affect the overall picture of measurements.

What will you learn by tracking your basal rates?

The duration of the menstrual cycle is twenty-eight days. You will probably be interested in how the basal rates change over the period. As long as you have these days, the temperature will be thirty-seven degrees. The day before the cessation of menstrual flow, the basal temperature decreases. As a rule, its value during this period is 36.4 C.

We know that the menstrual cycle has three phases. Follicular phase doctors call the period of time when the development of the dominant follicle occurs. The basal rate during this period averages 36.5 C. When the woman's body enters the ovulatory phase, the temperature rises slightly above thirty-seven. Two to three days before the onset of menstrual flow, the temperature will drop again.

Measuring your metrics carefully can help you learn more about your own health. You will understand how harmoniously your body enters the ovulatory period.


How will a woman understand that “everything worked out”?

The human body is a complex and interesting "microcosm". All processes in it are closely interconnected. Observing changes in your own body is useful and instructive.

Many ladies were able to find out about the conception that had occurred before the delay in menstruation. Of course, the speech is not in the telepathic abilities of the patients. Tracking that the rectal temperature for fourteen days is kept at around thirty-seven, a woman can assume that conception has taken place.

An additional argument in favor of your special situation will be a delay in your period. In order not to be lost in conjectures "whether it worked or not," you can apply a pregnancy test.

Several reasons for alarm ...

Some patients notice that their temperature is high before ovulation. And before the critical days, it decreases. This feature signals that the patient's gonads are producing too little estrogen. It's too early to talk about a lady's chances of conceiving.

The situation is not entirely favorable when, after ovulation (before "special" days), the basal temperature indicators are lower than those values \u200b\u200bthat were traced before ovulation. This nuance indicates a progesterone deficiency. Probably, the ailments and discomfort did not have time to bother you. But without competent hormonal correction, you will not be able to conceive a baby.

If, during the critical days, the temperature of the mucous membranes did not fall below 37.1 C, the doctor suspects that the woman's body is exhausted by inflammatory processes.

Having learned what rectal temperature before menstruation differs from the "canons", the gynecologist will prescribe hormonal tests for her. Some patients may need an ultrasound examination of the reproductive organs. Only after these measures will the doctor prescribe the necessary medications. After therapy, you will need to keep a rectal temperature diary again.

The easiest and most effective way to identify the onset of pregnancy is rectal temperature. Tests are sometimes wrong, and the discharge continuing after fertilization can generally mislead a woman. At the same time, the rectal temperature will not deceive and a woman with regular temperature monitoring increases the chances of pregnancy.

Lack of menses and elevated rectal temperature for three days clearly indicate fertilization. Rectal temperature is also important if you are not planning on getting pregnant. It is recommended to keep a special diary, where you will record all the indicators with the obligatory clarification of the reasons that influenced the changes in the rectal temperature indicators.

  • physical exercise;
  • sleep, the duration of which is less than four hours, while you should not trust the temperature readings, they will definitely be untrue;
  • having sex, just before the very temperature measurement;
  • colds and infectious diseases.

The rectal temperature in the rectum is measured. During the first 20 weeks from the onset of pregnancy, temperature readings will be around 37 degrees and above. And all because of the ongoing physiological processes that regulate the hormones of the second half of the menstrual cycle.

Modern examination methods today can easily do without rectal temperature measurements during pregnancy, but sometimes doctors still turn to such procedures. They are of particular importance for women who have experienced miscarriages. Naturally, a decrease in rectal temperature is an alarming sign that speaks of the threat of termination of pregnancy. In this case, it is necessary

consult a doctor for advice and, moreover, urgently.

Elevated rectal temperature is also a cause for concern. The reason for additional examinations is the temperature rise to 37.6-37.8 degrees. A similar temperature indicates some kind of inflammatory process in the body.

The most accurate readings are obtained by taking rectal temperature measurements in the morning, immediately after waking up, without leaving your bed. It will be better if you put the thermometer nearby in the evening, knocking down the previous indicators. It is recommended to measure rectal temperature at the same time, and the thermometer should be the same. Doctors even went further and advise, when measuring rectal temperature, to exclude various movements altogether, to the extent of not even talking or opening your eyes.


Rectal temperature chart: periods of possible pregnancy, as well as periods when pregnancy is excluded

These recommendations are explained by the fact that any actions can affect the result. In case you woke up earlier than usual for any reason, we advise you to measure your rectal temperature before getting up. Some women find it normal to have their basal temperature measured every two hours.

It is not right. During the day, the temperature can fluctuate, change several times, and in a lower direction. A decrease in basal temperature in the second half of the day, according to experts, is a normal phenomenon and you should not worry about it.

Do not measure rectal temperature if taken hormonal drugs or oral contraceptives, with alcohol and sedatives.

The rectal temperature is usually measured up to 16-20 weeks, due to which they obtain the necessary information about the course of pregnancy. After this period, a drop in temperature is observed, and the measurements are considered uninformative. Note that during pregnancy, a low rectal temperature is a reason for visiting a doctor, since a decrease below 37 degrees may indicate a threat of disruption or interruption of fetal development. There is only one reason - a similar phenomenon is the result of changes in hormonal levels, which can be detected using rectal temperature indicators.

At the request of visitors, the site adds an explanatory video about basal temperature:

The graphs of rectal temperature in case of normal MC, in violation of MC and during pregnancy are considered

Given the importance of ovulation, it is advisable to be able to identify it in order to facilitate the onset of conception. Those wishing to find out what rectal temperature during ovulation, the schedule of its preparation, especially measurements and calculations, will find our article useful.



Measurement of rectal temperature will help determine the date of ovulation.

Features of measuring rectal temperature

The essence of the method consists in measuring the temperature rectally for several months, building a graph from the figures obtained for each cycle. To learn how to measure rectal temperature to determine ovulation, let's get acquainted with the basic rules:

  • take measurements first after waking up;
  • do not make unnecessary gestures and even get out of bed;
  • you need to sleep fully (from 6 hours);
  • carry out the procedure at the same time;
  • do not replace the thermometer;
  • hold the thermometer only by the upper end, and “shake” it the night before;
  • when noting temperature indicators, be sure to indicate possible reasons deviations (undergoing treatment, drinking alcohol).

It should be remembered that in order to calculate the day of ovulation with a greater guarantee, the schedule should be kept for at least 3 months, and ideally all six.

We examined how rectal temperature is measured during ovulation, and how reliable is it and are there any drawbacks? The advantages of the method are quite extensive:

  • can be done at home, independently;
  • no costs (only a thermometer is required);
  • simple and affordable;
  • regular measurements allow you to calculate not only the day of cell release, but also the onset of pregnancy.

A very detailed video, be sure to watch if you want to understand how to measure rectal temperature during ovulation:

But measuring the temperature rectally for ovulation does not give a 100% guarantee. An error or failure in the work of the body is always possible. This is the main drawback inherent in almost any method of detecting the day of cell release. Therefore, it is worth additionally reinforcing the result with one more option: tests or ultrasound. The latter, by the way, is the most reliable. With timely observation, it shows the stages of follicle formation, the moment of rupture, the passage of the cell through the tubes and a successful conception, when the cell is attached to the uterus. Tests are inherently inaccurate, but they are easy to use at home.

Decoding the rectal temperature graph

Putting points on the graph (vertical - temperature, horizontal - days), connect them and consider the resulting curve.



Decoding the rectal temperature graph

In the first phase, the temperatures are almost the same, about 36.8 ° C. Closer to the middle, on the eve of the exit of the female cell, a slight decline occurs. Then, already during ovulation, the rectal temperature begins to gradually rise and after 3 days it gains 0.3-0.6 ° C.

Thus, ovulation on the graph is "peaks": the curve went relatively flat at first, then dropped down and went up again.

When the ovary released the cell, a corpus luteum is formed in it, at the site of the rupture, which produces the hormone progesterone, due to which the rectal temperature after ovulation remains in the same elevated state until the end of the cycle.

If conception occurs, the thermometer does not change its indicators throughout the pregnancy, and if the process is unsuccessful, on the eve of menstruation, a decline is again found.

To determine which rectal temperature during ovulation is normal, we recall that at first it was 36.8 ° C, then plus 0.3-0.6 ° C. By simple calculations, we get 37.1-37.4 ° C, this is the average temperature indicator for the second phase of the cycle and the entire duration of pregnancy. A decrease in temperature below 37 ° C indicates a malfunction in the development of the fetus, and an increase to 38 ° C warns of the occurrence inflammatory process.

If you want to be on the safe side when determining the date of ovulation, you can supplement the method of measuring rectal temperature with any other method - for example, use our