Basal body temperature method
This is a method of natural contraception to define the days when a woman is most likely to get pregnant. Fertile days are defined according to changes in basal temperature. The fact is that a womans basal temperature changes in different phases of menstrual cycle.
The temperature during menstruation is always raised (higher than 37C). In the first phase of cycle the temperature is lower: about 37C.
Right before ovulation the temperature gets even lower, and after ovulation it becomes 0.2-0.5 degrees higher (up to 37.6 38.6) and remains the same until the next menstruation.
If a woman gets pregnant, than menstruation will not occur and the temperature during pregnancy will remain raised. Therefore every day temperature taking and drawing a diagram makes it possible to define the ovulation day.
Be aware of the following recommendations for temperature taking:
Temperature can be taken orally, vaginally or rectally. It is up to you what method to choose. But always use the same method to take your basal temperature.
Take temperature every day at the same time in the morning before you get up and write down the results immediately. Take the temperature during menstruation as well.
Take the temperature by one and the same thermometer
Bear in mind the following
Basal temperature decreases 12-24 hours before ovulation, and after ovulation it becomes 0.2-0.5 degrees higher.
You are most likely to get pregnant during the three days while you have raised temperature
The methods disadvantages:
This method of contraception is not considered to be reliable
Sometimes it is quite difficult to define ovulation day, because temperature might be raised due to various causes, such as the flu and other diseases, stress, sleep disturbance and others.
A woman has to take her basal temperature every day
This method of contraception requires quite a long period of sexual abstinence
The methods advantages:
No side effects
The method helps a woman to define her fertile days. This will help her to plan pregnancy after temporary contraception.