Body Basal Temperature (BBT)

Graph and BBT Thermometer

Turn Me On When The Heat Goes Down

Description

-        This phenomenon is lower during the first 2 weeks of menstrual cycle, before ovulation;

-        It occurs immediately after ovulation, temperature begins to rise, continuing upward until it is time for the next menses;

o   The rise in the temperature indicates that progesterone (female hormone) has been released to the system.

o   It also means that the woman has ovulated.

-        Just before the day of ovulation, a woman’s BBT falls about one half degree; and

-        At the time of ovulation, the woman’s BBT rises a full degree because of progesterone influences.

How to use BBT Method?

-        To use the BBT method of contraception, a woman must take her temperature every morning before getting out of bed and beginning her morning activity;

-        By recording this daily temperature, she can see a slight dip and then an increase in body temperature. The increase in body temperature indicates ovulation;

-        With the temperature increases, intercourse is avoided for the next 3 days, which is the life of a discharged ovum (female egg cell); and

-        Because sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for 4 days, BBT method of contraception is typically combined with the calendar method so that the couple can abstain from intercourse for a few days before ovulation as well.

Factors that can affect BBT Method

-        BBT Method can be affected by many variables, which may lead to mistaken interpretations of a fertile day as safe day and vice versa.

o   Forgetting to take the temperature or taking after arising may lead to a rise in temperature.

o   Illness also may cause temperature to rise.

o   Changes in daily routine or activities also could affect the temperature.

Advantages

-        It is relatively inexpensive. The woman only exposed in the cost of BBT Thermometer, which is calibrated in tenths of a degree.

-        No drugs are needed.

-        It may be acceptable to members of religious groups that oppose birth control.

-        It encourages couples to learn more about how female body functions.

-        It encourages communication between partners.

-        It can also be used to plan a pregnancy.

Disadvantages

-        It requires meticulous record keeping and an ability and willingness to monitor the woman’s body changes.

-        It restricts sexual spontaneity during the woman’s fertile period.

-        It requires extended periods of abstinence from intercourse.

-        It is reliable only for woman with regular menstrual cycles.

-        It may be unreliable during periods of illness, infection, or stress.

-        It is contraindicated to woman who has irregular menses.

Implications

-        Advise the woman that recording the BBT does not predict the exact day of ovulation. It just indicates that ovulation has occurred, allowing the woman to monitor her ovulatory pattern and giving her time frame for planning.

-        Advise the woman to record the days of menstrual flow on a temperature graph. Have her start with the first day of her menses (day 1) and then take her temperature each day after her menses ends.

-        Tell the woman to use a thermometer that measures tenths of a degree.

-        Instruct the woman to take her temperature as soon as she wakes up – before she gets out of the bed or does anything else. Tell the woman to do this at the same time each morning.

-        Instruct the woman to place a dot on the graph’s line that matches the temperature reading (Tell her not to be surprised if her waking temperature before ovulation is 96^o to 97^oF [35.6^o to 36.1^o C]).

-        If she forgets to take her temperature one day, instruct her to leave that day blank on the graph and not to connect the dots.

-        Instruct her to make notes on the graph if she misses taking her temperature, feels sick, can’t sleep, or wakes up at a different time.

-        Advise her also that if she is taking any medicine – even aspirin – to note this on the graph, because it may affect her temperature.

-        Remind her also to mark the dates when she had sexual relations.