|
| |
Variations on Basal Temperature Chart
by Lori Ramsey
The purpose of charting the basal body temperatures is to
find out when ovulation occurs. To some women, the chart will be “text-book”
meaning the lows will be in the 97.0 F range and the highs in the 98.0 range,
with a .4 rise the day after ovulation and a 14 day luteal phase (the time from
ovulation to menstruation or the start of the next cycle.) This is not always
the case, though, and for the majority of women who experience some variations
on their temperature charts, there are possible explanations.
High temperatures on the whole chart
Seeing high temperatures on the entire chart, and especially in the first half
of the cycle is possibly an indication of “Hyper” thyroid. If you see this
consistently, you should have your physician run a thyroid test to rule out
possible thyroid dysfunction. If your thyroid is hyper-active, there are
medications that you can take to help balance the thyroid. These medications
should also help your basal temperatures to become normal.
Low temperatures
In the opposite direction, temperatures that are too low in both halves of the
cycle is a possible indication of low thyroid or “Hypo-thyroid”. Hypo and
hyper-thyroid can cause infertility.
Hormonal imbalances other than a dysfunctional thyroid may be to blame for the
basal body temperatures being either “too high” or “too low”. Low estrogen would
cause the pre-ovulatory temperatures to be higher than normal, on the other
hand, too much estrogen would cause them to be lower than normal. Likewise with
all the reproductive hormones, imbalances in any of them will be reflected on
the fertility chart.
Slow Upward Shift
When a woman has a chart that is fairly normal, then it slowly shifts upward
after ovulation, it can be difficult to determine the exact date of ovulation.
Normally when ovulation occurs, the temperature shift will be at least .4 of a
degree. If the shift takes place in one-tenth increments, it is harder to
pinpoint the exact date of ovulation. In this case careful attention needs to be
placed on other signs of ovulation, such as cervical fluid and/or cervical
position. Charting these two extra fertility signs can be of great importance
when the temperature shift gradually increases.
No Shift, Erratic Temperatures
When there are no upward shifts after ovulation, or the temperatures are all
over the place from day one until the end of the cycle this is known as
anovulation. Anovulation means the absence of ovulation. This can happen even
with menstrual bleeding each month. Women who take birth control pills
experience anovulation, yet they “bleed” each month during the “menstrual
period” time. The chart will be one of three ways – all low temperatures, or all
high temperatures or all over the place.
It pays to research about basal temperatures before charting the fertility
signs. Take your chart with you to your healthcare provider for further
clarification.
Lori Ramsey of
Stages in Pregnancy
©2005 by Lori Ramsey
Visit our store for
products like The Fertility Tracker, OvaCue, Cue II, Fertile Focus and other
fertility monitors as well as helpful products like Fertile CM, Her Gel, Slippery Stuff, Happy PMS Cream as recommended by Dr. John
R. Lee, One Step HcG Pregnancy Test Strips and Cassettes and other
preconception, pregnancy, fertility, infertility and healthy supplemental
products for men, women and baby. Don't forget we have Gift Certificates
available for those who don't know just yet.
| |
|
