"Basal body temperature" refers to the temperature you measure immediately after waking up without moving. You're often told, "When you start trying to conceive, the first thing you should do is measure your basal body temperature," but do you know why?
Rohto Pharmaceutical conducted a survey to find out what people involved in fertility treatment actually think about basal body temperature. Based on the results, we will answer your questions in this article.
Are you tracking your basal body temperature?
More than half of the respondents said they "measure" their basal body temperature. This shows that many people recognize the importance of basal body temperature when trying to conceive.
On the other hand, some people measure their basal body temperature but don't understand why it's necessary. Basal body temperature can be a useful barometer for understanding your own physical condition and rhythm. If you haven't measured it yet, it might be a good first step in your fertility journey to start recording it.
Q2 What can be learned from measuring basal body temperature?
Can
you find out? (Multiple answers allowed)
Measuring your basal body temperature allows you to understand your menstrual cycle, whether or not you ovulate, and your hormone balance, providing clues to answering all of the questions below. Normally, an adult woman's basal body temperature is divided into a "high temperature phase" and a "low temperature phase" depending on her hormone balance. The point where the temperature is lowest, just before the "high temperature phase," is said to be the day of ovulation, so ovulation can be confirmed after the transition to the high temperature phase. However, even in healthy people, it can be difficult to confirm the "lowest temperature point," making it quite difficult to predict ovulation based solely on basal body temperature. Nevertheless, measuring basal body temperature allows you to understand your own cycle and regulate your lifestyle, which leads to better health management for conception.
Q3 About basal body temperature
Are there
any things you're worried about?
Many people have various anxieties about their basal body temperature, such as "My basal body temperature is inconsistent and I don't understand it," "I'm worried if I'm even measuring it correctly," and "I get depressed every time my basal body temperature tells me my period is coming. It's stressful and burdensome." So, how can we deal with these worries?
I'm tracking my basal body temperature, but I'm not sure if I'm measuring it correctly, and I don't know how to interpret the temperature changes. The graph is jagged and hard to understand, but should I continue tracking it?
Rohto Pharmaceutical's response
Basal body temperature has a low-temperature phase and a high-temperature phase. Generally, the low-temperature phase is considered to be below 36.7 degrees Celsius, and the high-temperature phase is considered to be above that.
An ideal basal body temperature is one where the difference between the low-temperature phase and the high-temperature phase is between 0.3 and 0.5 degrees Celsius.
However, normal body temperature varies from person to person, so even if your high-temperature phase is not 36.7 degrees Celsius, if your temperature shows two distinct phases, your measurement is accurate.
Please use the following features as a guide.
1. There is a period of low temperature after menstruation.
2. At a certain point, body temperature rises and the high-temperature phase continues.
3. Body temperature drops around the time menstruation begins.
Furthermore, we recommend visiting a gynecologist in the following cases:
-
"Low temperatures will continue."
It's possible that you have anovulatory cycles, meaning you're having periods but not ovulating.
-
"The high-temperature phase is short."
If your high-temperature phase is short (less than 9 days), it could indicate luteal phase defect.
-
"The high temperature phase continues."
If your basal body temperature remains high for 16 days or more, you may be pregnant.
If you have any other concerns, please go to the hospital and consult with them.
I can't seem to stick with it. Do you have any tips for continuing something for a long time?
Rohto Pharmaceutical's response
To make this a long-term habit, the key is to discover the fascinating aspects of understanding your own body's rhythms. Start by diligently tracking your body temperature for 2-3 cycles, and not only record your body temperature, but also any physical or mental symptoms such as "heavy head," "sleepiness," "constipation," or "irritability." This will help you understand the relationship between changes in body temperature and changes in your physical condition.
The biggest benefit of tracking basal body temperature is that you gradually begin to understand your own rhythm, such as "Is it time for my high-temperature phase?" It can also be used as a barometer to gauge your next cycle and understand your physical condition. Of course, you can also use it to confirm your ovulation day, so be sure to keep tracking it.
Sometimes I forget to take my temperature in bed in the morning and end up getting up. Why is it not okay to wait until I'm already sitting up?
Rohto Pharmaceutical's response
Basal body temperature is the body temperature when a person is using only the minimum energy necessary for daily life, that is, during sleep. Since you cannot measure your body temperature while sleeping, the temperature in the early morning, which is the closest state to sleep, is used as your basal body temperature. Body temperature can change with even slight movements, so be sure to keep a thermometer within easy reach by your bedside when you sleep. Getting up or eating and drinking can raise your body temperature.
I can't take my measurements at the same time every day; is that okay?
Rohto Pharmaceutical's response
It's best to measure at the same time each day, but even if your wake-up time is different, try to measure as soon as you wake up. If the time is significantly off, make a note of the measurement time. Don't be too anxious about it; consistency is key.
Rohto Pharmaceutical will continue to listen to your voices so that more people can approach fertility treatment with greater peace of mind.
Because we have a long history of researching "pregnancy tests" and "ovulation prediction tests," we can provide accurate information that only we can offer, so please refer to it.