Optimal features of basal body temperature recordings associated with conceptional cycles
Matthews, C.D.; Broom, T.J.; Black, T.; Tansing, J.
International Journal of Fertility 25(4): 318-320
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-725X PMID: 6114058 Document Number: 451426
Oral basal body temperature (BBT) recordings of 46 women that conceived by donor insemination and who had midcycle monitoring of luteinizing hormone (LH) were analyzed to establish features associated with an optimal cycle. All cycles exhibited a biphasic temperature shift associated with the follicular (mean .+-. SD, 36.5.degree. C .+-. 0.22) and luteal phases (36.8.degree. C .+-. 0.19). While a mean body temperature rise occurred on day +1 when all cycles were analyzed, individual patterns were seen at ovulation including no change or a decrease in BBT between day 0 and day +1. The BBT of the postovulatory phase was stable and only 4.5% of the 644 observations made showed a change of more than 0.2.degree. C from day to day. Apparently the BBT charting has limitations when used to recognize the day of ovulation, and that some variable patterns of the early luteal phase are consistent with conception. Optimal luteal phases demonstrated remarkable stability.