Use of Basal Temperature Charts In the Three Month Programme

For most women there are only about 30 days in a year when there is a reasonable chance of conceiving. For a successful pregnancy to eventuate, a whole chain of events need to come together precisely in the woman's body, in her partners body, and in their relationship on one of those days. Being able to accurately identify these relatively rare opportunities raises the odds of success considerably. Watching external clues of the body provides us with a method to do exactly that.

The basal body temperature chart (BBT) records the temperature of the body on waking. It is called basal because it is measured at a time when the body is deeply rested and the body's metabolism and temperature is at its baseline. A woman's basal body temperature rises after she has ovulated, and begins to produce progesterone.

One of the great strengths of Chinese Medicine is discerning what is going on inside the body from watching or feeling what is going on the outside of the body. Thus, the change in basal body temperature observed during the menstrual cycle, and the production of mucus by the cervix just before ovulation, are important markers, (along with the menstrual blood itself) for determining an accurate diagnosis when regulating the cycle or assisting fertility.

This chart does not only assess the viability or occurrence of ovulation, or the adequate production of Progesterone, but the length, pattern and consequences of Luteal and Follicular phase temperature patterns. Any additional information resulting from blood tests, ultrasound, HCG, HSG, sperm motility/morphology/count or ovarian function tests, all add to the specificity and therefore the efficacy of any diagnosis and treatment.

Example: Normal Temprature Distribution

 

Instructions for Using the Temperature Chart:

Upon waking, place a mercury/fertility thermometer underneath the arm for 10minutes. This must be done after a minimum of 3hours uninterrupted sleep, and preferable at roughly the same time each morning. This particular way of taking the temperature ensures that the core body temperature is recorded, regardless of any change of location or weather. If, on the weekend for example, you are taking your temperature later, please make a note of this. Also note if alcohol was taken the night before, or you had a particularly restless night.

Finally, note the quality and consistency of cervical mucus using the first letter of the descriptive words on the left side of the chart, for example:

M = moist
W = white
St = sticky
Sl = slippery
T = transparent
D = dry
N = no secretions seen or felt
We = wet

Sample Temperature Charts

Overly Long Follicular Phase, Short Luteal Phase

Inefficient Ovulation, Lack of Progesterone, Stress in Follicular Phase