CONTRACEPTION

TEMPERATURE METHOD

In most women temperature usually rises slightly with ovulation and remains up during the second part until just before her next period Recording each days temperature helps to indicate when ovulation has occurred .

Normal BBT graph

The temperature method requires charting your basal body temperature (BBT), the temperature your body registers when you’re completely at rest. BBT varies slightly from person to person. For most women, 96 to 98 degrees taken orally are considered normal before ovulation and 97 to 99 after. The changes are small fractions – from 1/10 to ½ degree. So it’s best to get a special, large –scale, easy-to-read thermometer that registers only from 96 to 100 degrees. A rectal reading is more reliable. But whichever you choose, take your temperature the same way every day.

Taking Your Temperature

Each morning take your temperature, as soon as you wake up – before getting out of bed, talking, eating, drinking, having sex, or smoking. Either insert the thermometer in your rectum or place it in your mouth for a full five minutes. Read the temperature to within 1/10 of a degree and record the reading.

Charting Your Temperature Pattern

Each reading must be recorded If you wish to have one click here.

As each day’s temperature is plotted on the graph, you will learn to recognize your own pattern. Your temperature rise may be sudden, gradual, or in steps. The pattern may vary from cycle to cycle .

You must also realize that physical or emotional upsets or even lack of sleep can influence your BBT. In addition, illness, emotional distress, jet lag, disturbed sleep, smoking, drinking an unaccustomed amount of alcohol the night before, and using an electric blanket may affect your body temperature.

In the beginning you should get help in reading your BBT chart from a physician, nurse ,or family planning specialist.  

The Safe Times

After the temperature rise has lasted for at least three days, you can assume that your safe days have begun. They will last until the temperature drop that usually comes just before the onset of your next menstrual period. For complete protection, consider unsafe all the days between the start of your period and the start of the fourth day of the next temperature rises

When you become confident about using your BBT to determine your safe days, you may not need to take your temperature between the start of the infertile time and the beginning of your next menstrual period.

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