Variations on Basal Body Temperature Chart
Basal Body Temperature is used to find out when ovulation will occur. For most women, it is basically standard - low means 97.0 F range. High means 98.0 range, with a .4 rise the day after ovulation and a 14 day luteal phase. The luteal phase means the time from ovulation to menstruation or the start of the next cycle. However, for some women there are some variations on their temperature charts. But there are several possible explanations for these variations.
High temperatures on the whole chart
A consistently high temperatures on the whole chart (especially in the first half of the cycle ) may be a sign of a “hyper” thyroid. You must see your doctor and have a thyroid test. Either this will rule out the possibility of a thyroid dysfunction or confirm that your thyroid is indeed hyper-active. If you do have a hyper-active thyroid, your doctor will prescribe medications that will help balance the thyroid. These medications should also help your temperatures go back to normal.
Low temperatures on the whole chart
On the other hand, consistently low temperatures on the entire chart (in both halves of the cycle) may be a sign of a “hypo” thyroid or a low thyroid. You should also see your doctor for tests and treatment of a hypo-thyroid.
Both hypo and hyper thyroid can cause infertility.
Hormonal Imbalances
Apart from a dysfunctional thyroid, hormonal imbalances may also cause very low or very high temperatures. For instance, low estrogen may cause pre-ovulatory temperatures to be higher than normal, while high estrogen may cause temperatures to be lower than usual. And as with other reproductive hormones, imbalances in any of them will cause variations in your temperatures.
Slow Upward Shift
A woman with a fairly normal chart but then slowly rises upward after ovulation may cause difficulty in determining the exact date of ovulation. There is usually a .4 of a degree shift in temperature when ovulation occurs. However, if the shift happens on one-tenth increments, it will be more difficult to point the exact date of ovulation. For increased accuracy, be be extra attentive to the other signs of ovulation such as cervical fluid and/or cervical postions.
No Shift, Erratic Temperatures
There are instances when a woman has erratic temperatures. These cases where her temperature is all over the place from the start until the end of the cycle is known as anovulation. Anovulation is the absence of ovulation. Anovulation can happen evenm with menstrual bleeding each month. This is common in women who take birth control pills. They do not ovulate yet then bleed during “period” time. The chart will look like any of the following: all low temperatures, all high temperatures or erratic temperatures.
To know more about basal body temperatures, consult you doctor and/or bring your chart for clarifications.
Can Basal Body Temperature Diagnose a Thyroid Condition?
There have been articles which say that Basal Body Temperature (target range being 97.8 to 98.2 ) is much more accurate than blood tests. A woman whose doctor has used her Basal Body temperature (BBT) as a guide to determine if she has met her optimum thyroid medication level. She took her temperature under her arm first thing upon waking for 3 days in a row and write it down . Her basal temperature for the 3 days ranged from 95.8 to 96.8, though her Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone or TSH level at her last doctor was in the normal range. Since that TSH test her thyroid medications have been increased by her new doctor, and her BBT is still low.
Basal Body Temperature Should Be Part of The Equation
Dr. Richard Shames, a medical practitioner for 30 years and an expert on thyroid related topics, says that “there is considerable evidence that current tests both for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism and for the management of a case under treatment are tests that lack sensitivity and accuracy. Faced with this situation, in my medical practice and in my second opinion telephone coaching sessions with patients of other practitioners, I absolutely insist on basal temperatures being part of the equation”.
Apart from being a diagnostic maneuver that Dr. Shames uses, BBT is also an important additional data along with symptoms, family history, related conditions, and signs of abnormality upon physical examination. For people who have been diagnosed already with hypothyroidism, BBT test is an added observational measurement that helps in determining whether a person is on the right medication and/or the right dose. This includes considering responses to medication, physical signs (e.g. ankle reflexes and skin temperature), and blood test results.
However, Shames also says that basal temperature testing is “much more accurate than the blood tests” should be taken with a grain of salt. Mainly because what maybe true for one may not be true for everyone else. What this boils down to is that medical practitioners and patients should be prudent enough and use as many different sources of information as possible. This helps in the difficult decision of whether to or not to treat a health problem as a low thyroid issue or , if already being treated, whether or not to add or change medication or supplements.
Dr. Shames shares this example:
“I generally find out on a first conversation with a potential thyroid sufferer what is their present percent of total optimal function that they currently enjoy. Some people say to me, “Dr. Shames, I’m glad I can talk to you on the phone from across the country because I’m only feeling 20% of my prior self, but my doctor says my TSH test is normal, so they are not going to do anything further.”
This is a person who should be following their basal temperature, rather than their TSH. Most likely their basal temperature will still be low, suggesting a need for further medicine, and I endorse people going along with that suggestion regardless of TSH levels.”
Pregnancy and Fevers
Having a fever is uncomfortable enough for anybody, but when you are pregnant it becomes 100 times worse simply because you have another life to worry about. A life that is dependent on you.
What is Fever
Dr. Robert Atlas, OB/GYN and chair of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, says “Typically, there is no difference in what is considered a fever in the pregnant and non-pregnant state”. But what is fever? Dr. Randy Fink, an OB/GYN in private practice in Miami, Fla., and a Fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says a fever is “anything greater than 100.4 Fahrenheit”
Risks of Fever in pregnant women
According to Dr. Fink, “There is data in both human and animal studies that a high fever during the first 45 to 60 days of gestation the time during which organs are developing can cause birth defects”. This means that palces where there are extremely high temperatures like saunas and Jacuzzis, should be avoided by pregnant women. Though we sweat when we exercise, temperature increases during exercises for pregnant women are not associated to birth defects. Though Dr. Fink advises that pregnant women who do exercise should stay well hydrated and preferably to exercise in a controlled, air-conditioned environment.
Risks when a pregnant woman gets fever is more common mostly in the first trimester. During the final trimester, the the common risk is premature birth. Of course you have to know the cause of your fever and if can harm your baby. Dr. Fink says fever caused by viral upper-respiratory infection isn’t likely to have an effect on the baby, but but fever due to a kidney infection can cause preterm labor and serious illness to the mother. Chicken pox, on the other hand can be devastating to both the mother and the baby.
Some fevers can be caused by pregnancy, such as an intra-amniotic infection. This is caused by a bacteria that got into the he fluid that surrounds the baby and requires that the baby be delivered no matter what the gestational age. A fever from this condition is accompanied by abdominal pain and uterine tenderness, and sometimes contractions.
Treatment Options
Fevers that are not caused by any serious illness can be treated by taking medication. Some medications are safe for pregnant women, such as Tlenol. Fink says that most fevers usually go away on their own. Still, having a fever is never a good feeling and high temperatures are not good for the baby. Fink advises that all fevers should be treated.
If you are uncomfortable taking medication for your fever, you can opt for cold compresses under the arms, behind the knees and behind the neck. Other options can be feels compresses, however, Dr. Fink believes they are more effective for injuries rather than fever. Cooling measures such as cool baths, alcohol on the skin and cooling blankets, on the other hand are not always advisable since they could result in rapid loss of body heat which can lead to other problems.
It is also important that your fever do not last more than 24 to 36 hours. Otherwise, you should consult your doctor about it immediately. Dr. Fink lists other warning signs to look for:
- Abdominal pain
- Uterine tenderness
- Contractions
- Nausea/vomiting
- Rash
Fevers that are linked to rashes are usually mild, viral infections that do not need any kin dof medication or treatment, but still should be reported to your doctor. Dr. Fink stand on antibiotics is that “Just because you have a fever, you do not necessarily need antibiotics. Most prudent clinicians will avoid antibiotics in pregnant women without a confirmed bacterial infection to avoid unnecessarily exposing the fetus to medications.”
Dr. Atlas, on the other hand, recommends that you first take your temperature and contact your doctor depending on how high it is. If any of your family members got sick then got better immediately, then it is nothing to worry about, since it may just be common cold. Do not attempt to treat yourself. It could lead to more serious problems. Let your doctors recommend the proper treatment for you. Dr. Atlas says “pregnancy is an immunosuppressive state, so people can become ill quicker”.
Bottomline, Dr. Fink says, is that “you’re entitled to get sick just like someone who is not pregnant, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind.”
Proper precautions
Apart from cure, prevention is also very important. Here ares some of Dr. Fink’s recommendations:
- Be conscientious about hand washing
- Avoid people with known infectious diseases
- Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations
- Avoid changing cat litter
- Follow the USDA and CDC recommendations regarding a potentially serious but uncommon infectious source of fever known as Listeria. Here are a few:
- Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods that contain unpasteurized milk
- Wash hands, knives and cutting boards after handling uncooked food
- Do not eat salads made in the store such as ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad or seafood salad
Pros and Cons of BBT
While Basal Body temperature can also be used as a natural family planning method by telling when is the ’safe period’ or the appropriate time when couple can have intercourse without the risk of getting pregnant. This safe period begins the 3rd day after the temperature increase and continues until the next menstruation. Listed below are both the good and bad sides of the method.PROS
1. It can be used in for improving chances of contraception by mixing it with other methods, in case the other method would fail.
2. This is a drug-free and device-free method.
3. It is free of any cost and any kind of side effects and shows goof efficiency.
CONS
1. The method might not be practical for everyone since it requires that the body temperature be taken everyday: from the time the person awakens and before any physical activity has taken place and throughout the entire ovulation cycle.
2. Method may not be that accurate. If temperature is not accurately recorded, the test would not prove useful. An accurate thermometer with an accuracy of 0.1 Celsius or more is needed.
3. Infections like flu, common colds and urinary track infection can cause premature temperature increases and interfere with accuracy of results.
4. The irregularity of the ovulation cycle may be caused by infection which can result to inaccuracy.
BBT and Pregnancy
Basal body temperature can be a means to help women plan their pregnancy. It is a method wherein a woman takes her body temperature the first thing she wakes up and charts it form day to day. The temperature readings should be accurate enough to a tenth of a degree in order to get the more accurate measurements. The reason for this is because the changes in basal body temperature may provide information to help determine a woman’s ovulation time.The basal body temperature method can be an effective means of determining a woman’s ovulation in that the body undergoes some temperature changes during that time. The changes happen during the process of the egg being implanted into the uterine lining. In the first part of the woman’s cycle, the waking temperature becomes low due to the effect of the estrogen hormone. After ovulating, the body temperature rises to a new level and will remain that way for about 12 to 16 days. The temperature will then change once more when the woman starts to bleed during menstruation.
The woman’s basal body temperature can also be a means to determine if she is pregnant or not. When a woman conceives, the fertilized egg from the fallopian tube starts to travel its way into the uterus where it will ultimately settles. This can take about a week. This is usually the time that the woman’s body may be able to detect the conception. It is only during this time that the body begins releasing hCG or human chronic gonadotropin or the pregnancy hormone. The hCG is first detected in the blood and later on, in the woman’s urine.
With the release of the hormone hCG, women usually experience a change in their basal body temperature. The changes in the temperature may not be as dramatic as the previous temperature shifts, but they can be monitored from about a week to twelve days after the first rise of temperatures.
In taking one’s basal body temperature, it is important to use a thermometer that provides the smallest degree changes. There are special BBT thermometers available in order to do this. For a more accurate measurement of the basal body temperature, it is important for women to take their oral temperatures the very first thing when waking up. It is also important to take the temperature at the same time every day. Eating, drinking or smoking should be avoided before taking the temperature.
Causes of Infertility
Finding out the exact cause of infertility has been a tough job for medical researchers. A third of problems concerning fertility occur solely in women, another third in men and the remaining third are mutual. An estimated six percent of men are infertile. The highest cause concerning infertility is rooted in sperm problems, constituting 30 to 40 percent. Problems directly correlated with ovulation, fallopian tubes and cervix are the other areas of concern. The most common cause is low sperm count which reason is probably rooted from environmental pollution involving chemicals. Another problem is poorm sperm quality; even some men’s ejaculate contains antibodies to their own sperm. Sometimes sperm can hardly cannot penetrate the egg when they reach it or could be rooted from hormonal problems.
Ovulatory infertility is greatly caused by chromosomal abnormalities and endocrine dysfunctions. Emotional stress, strenuous exercise and excessive weight loss are primary reasons why this happens.
Cervical and uterine factors are strongly linked to physical problems or mucus-related problems. The physical problems of the cervix is more related to recurrent miscarriages than a cervical ovulation. Mucus related problems are either related to its thickness, quantity and anti-body content.
Listed below are some common specific factors that cause a couple’s infertility:
1. Stress: mental or physical
2. Physical changes in the pelvos as result of inflammation and infection
3. Extreme weight gain or less
4. Exposure to toxic substances e.g. radiation, heavy metals, drugs and nicotine
5. Excessive physical activity
6. Malnutrition
7. Chlamydia, caused by nongonococcal genital infection
Guidelines for an Accurate BBT Chart
Since measuring a woman’s basal body temperature can be really tricky, one has to be able to know what to do in order to measure her BBT as accurate as possible. Measuring the temperature at either a few degrees higher or lower than the actual BBT would only cause a miscalculation on a woman’s ovulation period.Here are some tips on what to do for an accurate BBT chart.
Start on the right track - Make sure that the first day of your BBT chart should be the first day of your menstrual flow. Do not include temperatures taken days before that. Once measured, expect that your temperature should drop when your menstrual flow starts, recording each reading everyday.
Indicate the dates correctly - You need to make sure you note the actual day of the month when you have taken the temperature. This is to correctly monitor your ovulation period. Make sure to use a dot instead of an X or check mark when recording your BBT, as well as using a downward-pointing arrow on days when you had sexual intercourse.
Use a more accurate thermometer - Instead of the regular thermometer, use an oral, digital thermometer that specializes in basal body temperature.
Take your temperature regularly - Your basal body temperature should be measured just after you wake up (without ever leaving the bed). Place the temperature under your tongue for two to three minutes.
Avoid error-causing activities - Never eat anything, drink anything, or smoke for about 12 hours before you take your temperature. (And when I say anything, this includes sperm!) You also need to note any special considerations such as an actual fever or any other illnesses.
Change charts regularly - Get a new BBT chart once you get your new menstrual cycle.
Avoiding Backaches During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very delicate phase for a woman, especially when it comes to her health. One of the problems pregnant women encounter is that they experience back pains. This is because ligaments become softer and stretch to prepare for labor, thus putting strain on the lower back and pelvis. They can also feel backaches as the baby grows inside their belly, and as the hollow on their lower backs may increase.Here are some steps to avoid such predicament.
Avoid lifting heavy objects - Doing so puts strain on your lower back, and it becomes worse during pregnancy. However, if you do have to carry something heavy, hold it close to your body.
Be aware of your posture - When picking or lifting something up from the floor, bend your knees and keep your back straight. You don’t wanna “squish” the baby.
Don’t twist your back - When turning around, move with your feet and make a wide turn. This is to avoid twisting you spine, and eventually hurt your back.
Wear flat shoes - These allow your weight to be distributed evenly.
Avoid stooping too much - When working, whether in the office or at home, make sure that the desk or surface is high enough so you don’t have to stoop most of the time.
Balance your weight - When carrying two loads on both hands, like two baskets, try to balance your body and not be pulled in by the weight of the heavier load, which would make you lean on one side.
Sit straight - When sitting, make sure that you back is straight and well-supported.
Sleep on a firm bed - This actually prevents your back from bending too much. If your mattress is too soft, place a piece of hard cardboard underneath the sheets.
Have a massage - Having someone massage your lower back actually relieves the pain.
Try wearing a support corset - This requires prescription from your doctor.
Get enough rest - Your back would feel more painful during the latter part of pregnancy as the baby inside you becomes bigger and heavier. Make sure you get enough rest by that time.
The Basal Body Temperature Chart
For women who wish to improve their chances at pregnancy, one of the most effective methods that they can use is the BBT (Basal Body Temperature) Chart. This chart allows women to keep a record of their Basal Body Temperature over a period of time to determine at which times they are fertile.The basal body temperature is the temperature of a woman’s body that is taken right after waking up from sleep before any physical activity has been undertaken. Differences in basal body temperature have been proven to help determine at which times a woman may be at her most fertile. This is due to the fact that ovulation can cause an increase in a woman’s basal body temperature by one half to one degree Fahrenheit. Charting will help determine a woman’s biphasic pattern, which is the tendency of women to have lower basal body temperatures before ovulation and then higher temperatures afterwards.
Keeping track of the basal body temperature on a regular basis can also help show signs of certain issues that concern a woman’s fertility cycle. Through the charts, a number of minor infertility issues can help doctors know a lot more about what is happening to a woman’s body and help provide necessary remedies to them. A fertility BBT Chart may be able to show if a woman is experiencing anovulation, the absence of ovulation during a cycle. This can be seen on the BBT Chart when there are no drastic temperature changes even as the menstrual period is experienced.
Women who have low estrogen levels can also be determined through the BBT Chart. This can be known when the pre-ovulation temperatures charted during a cycle are not low enough. Estrogen can cause the basal body temperature to drop. Low levels of estrogen will show on a woman’s pre-ovulation temperatures. In the same way, low progesterone levels may also be determined from a BBT Chart. But this time, they can be reflected through a record of post-ovulation temperatures that stay on or below the average temperature.
Through a BBT Chart, a thyroid dysfunction might also be determined. This might reflect by having either too low or too high temperature levels during the first week of menstruation. A reading that is too low may indicate an underactive thyroid. A too high reading during the first week of the menstrual cycle may indicate an overactive thyroid.
Keeping a BBT Chart would really be an important undertaking for women trying to conceive. A minimum of three month’s worth of BBT chart records may be able to tell how a woman stands when it comes to her fertility. Through the charts, certain fertility issues may even be determined and help doctors to further increase a woman’s chances of conceiving.
Early Signs of Pregnancy
If you’re trying to get pregnant, then you should know the common signs and symptoms that tell you’re expecting a baby. Getting a missed period or experiencing morning sickness is not always a sure sign that you’re pregnant. It is better to examine what these symptoms mean so that you could add up the signs telling that you’re most likely to be along the family way. Then you can take a simple pregnancy test or consult your doctor to confirm your pregnancy.Here are the early signs of pregnancy and how they are likely to tell that you’re pregnant:
Missed period. Although missing your period is not always a sure positive sign, this is more probably a good indicator of pregnancy. That is why if you’re planning to get pregnant, keep in mind the day that you’re expecting your period. This is the time that you should be taking home pregnancy tests. In rare cases, there are women who still have their period through out their pregnancy. Also some women experience implantation bleeding at the time of their period, although these are usually shorter or lighter than their normal period.
Morning sickness. Usually, having nausea and vomiting are associated with pregnant women. But not all pregnant women experience morning sickness. It also may not affect you until two weeks or a month after missing your period. Other variations of the sickness may also occur. Some women get sick at night, some are sick the whole day, while others come and go with their own pattern.
Breast changes. This is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Such breast changes may include fullness, tenderness, heightened sensitivity, changes in size, and darkening of the areola. Breast tenderness is usually experienced by many during their pregnancy and before their menstrual cycle.
Fullness and bloating. Some women immediately start to bloat, while some experience fullness prior to their periods. Sometimes the symptoms of pregnancy are just like those of PMS. But don’t always rule out that you’re pregnant once you experience PMS. Some also feel pain in the abdominal area or complain of constipation and diarrhea during pregnancy.
Increased urination. Once you’re pregnant, your blood volume and kidney size both increase. These factors make you experience more frequent urination.
Mood swings and irritability. Changes in hormones make headaches more frequent during pregnancy. Fatigue combined with hormonal changes also cause most pregnant women to have mood swings and become more irritable. But remember that these are also signs of PMS.
Vaginal discharge. A slight increase in vaginal secretions may be a sign of pregnancy. This happens because the cervix is building mucus to block its opening, protecting the baby from infections. Remember that such vaginal discharge should not smell, itch or burn. Otherwise it may indicate an infection which will require proper medication.
