what is basal body temperature
Basal body temperature (BBT) is the lowest body temperature measured in a person when they are at complete rest, usually during sleep. It is typically measured using a basal body thermometer, which is more sensitive and accurate than a regular thermometer. BBT is often used in fertility tracking and natural family planning methods, as it can indicate when a woman is ovulating. During ovulation, a woman's BBT rises slightly due to increased levels of progesterone. By tracking BBT over time, patterns and changes in ovulation can be observed.
Basal body temperature (BBT) refers to the body's lowest resting temperature. It is typically measured first thing in the morning before any physical activity or movement occurs, such as getting out of bed, talking, or eating. Women often track their BBT to help monitor and understand their menstrual cycle and to identify potential fertility patterns. BBT rises slightly after ovulation due to hormonal changes, and it remains elevated until the next menstrual cycle begins. By tracking these temperature changes, women can gain insights into when they ovulate, whether they have a regular cycle, and potentially when they may be most fertile.
Basal body temperature (BBT) refers to the lowest body temperature that is attained during rest. It is typically measured immediately after awakening and before any physical activity. BBT is often used to track a woman's menstrual cycle and to determine the timing of ovulation.
To measure your basal body temperature, you will need a basal body thermometer, which is more sensitive and accurate than a regular thermometer. Here is how to do it:
1. Purchase a basal body thermometer: These thermometers are available at most drugstores or online. Make sure to choose one specifically designed for tracking body temperature.
2. Choose a consistent time: To get accurate results, it's important to measure your temperature at the same time every morning. Ideally, you should do it as soon as you wake up, before getting out of bed or engaging in any physical activity.
3. Prepare the thermometer: Some basal body thermometers come with a memory function that stores the last measurement, but if yours doesn't have this feature, make sure to turn it on and reset it to zero before use.
4. Take your temperature: Place the thermometer under your tongue, close your mouth, and breathe normally. Keep the thermometer in place for the specified time indicated by the manufacturer (usually around 3 minutes).
5. Record your temperature: Once you have your temperature reading, record it on a dedicated chart or in a fertility tracking app. This is important for tracking patterns over time.
By tracking your basal body temperature over the course of your menstrual cycle, you can observe patterns and identify your most fertile days, helping with family planning or attempting to conceive. It's worth noting that BBT alone may not be sufficient to predict ovulation accurately, so it's often combined with other fertility tracking methods, such as monitoring changes in cervical mucus or using ovulation predictor kits.