Basal Body Temperature Method

  Basal Body Temperature Method: What It Is

The Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method is a natural family planning technique. It involves tracking your body’s resting temperature each morning to identify ovulation. A slight rise in temperature signals that ovulation has occurred, helping to estimate fertile and infertile days.

How to Use It

• Daily measurement: Take your temperature at the same time each morning before getting out of bed.

• Record trends: Track readings on a chart or app to spot the slight rise after ovulation.

• Timing: Avoid sex on fertile days if preventing pregnancy, or plan accordingly if trying to conceive.

Things to Keep in Mind

The BBT method is natural and medication-free, but it requires discipline and consistent measurement. Illness, lack of sleep, or alcohol can affect readings. Combining BBT with other fertility indicators can improve accuracy.

  FAQ

1. How does the basal body temperature method work?
It works by measuring morning body temperature to detect ovulation. A small rise indicates fertile days, helping with pregnancy planning or avoidance.

2. How effective is the BBT method?
Effectiveness varies. With perfect tracking, pregnancy prevention can reach around 95%, but typical use shows lower reliability due to human error.

3. What are the disadvantages of the basal body temperature method?
It requires daily discipline, is affected by illness, sleep, or alcohol, and cannot predict ovulation in advance—only confirms it after it happens.

4. How long does sperm live in the body?
Sperm can survive inside the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days, which affects fertile window calculations when using BBT.

5. What is the 3 over 6 rule BBT?
The 3 over 6 rule refers to identifying ovulation after three consecutive higher temperature readings over six days. This confirms the post-ovulation phase.