Basal Body Temperature

The usage of a Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and Chart is one of my favourite ways to best understand the individual female cycle. Whether we are 16 and new to our menstrual cycle, possibly experiencing uncomfortable symptoms (painful, irregular, heavy, emotional periods), or, trying to get pregnancy in our 20s,30s, maybe even 40s, the BBT Chart can be very useful.

 

Let’s start with the basics : What is BBT?

 

Wikipedia defines BBT as the lowest temperature attained by the body during rest. It is generally measured immediately after awakening and before any physical activity has been undertaken.

 

Why is your BBT important and helpful? And Why has it become my favourite thing to teach girls and women of all ages to help them better understand their monthly red ‘friend’. The BBT is the simplest, cheapest, and most natural way to monitor your body’s monthly cycle. It is easy to learn, and with time and guidance, easy to interpret. There are 4 phases in our monthly cycle - Menstruation, Follicular, Ovulation, and Luteal - by using this chart, we are best able to identify each phase in an individual cycle, and whether there are any irregularities that need to be balanced. Any of these imbalances may be the causes of our unwanted symptoms from painful periods, irregular periods, mid-cycle spotting or bleeding, infertility, emotional disruptions and instabilities, and many more.

 

 

In order to create a BBT Chart, we will need two simple pieces of equipment :

 

  1. BBT Chart & Pen/ cellphone app

  2. Thermometer (digital or mercury)

 

Simple Steps to creating the chart :

 

  1. Place Chart, Thermometer, and Pen (or Thermometer and cellphone) on Bedside table at arms reach when lying in bed

  2. Body Basal Temperature is taken first thing in the morning, before you speak, move, anything.

  3. Immediately chart your temperature on the chart before leaving the bed.

 

Please remember that all steps are important to ensure accuracy of the daily temperatures.  

 

They may seem like simple steps, but do not be too hard on yourself if it takes a few weeks or months to find the discipline to take your temperature and immediately chart the number down every morning. When I first started taking my temperatures, it took me a few weeks to get used to taking my temperature first thing in the morning without talking or moving, or even training my partner to allow me to; And a few months to remember to habitually write down the temperatures. I found that repetition and discipline were key. Please do not take these statements as discouragement, but, only, to not be too hard on yourself if it takes you some time to get use to the process.

 

Here are a few tips and recommendations during my trials and tribulations learning to make a BBT Chart :

  1. If using a physical chart, pre-date your chart, you will be taking so many temperatures, that this will minimize confusion of what day you are on

  2. Day 1 is your first day of menstruation

    • you may start your first chart in the middle of your cycle

  3. Step 3 is important as it is easy to forget the number if we try to chart it later, as daily numbers will all look similar after a while

The BBT Chart is the simplest, cheapest, most natural way to monitor your body’s monthly cycle. If you have any questions, or require guidance, please feel free to contact me directly, or book yourself in for a consultation. Remember, that I offer free 10 minute consultations in my clinic.

Tree F