Many have heard the term "basal temperature." Only not everyone knows what it is. Most often, women planning pregnancy are confronted with the concept. Next, we will study the basal temperature before menstruation, during and after them. We have to get acquainted with the causes of deviations from the norms, as well as with methods of measuring temperature.
Definition
Basal temperature is an indicator that can indicate the course of certain processes in the body. The concept, as we have said, is faced by women planning a pregnancy.
The mentioned component helps to determine when critical days come or ovulation occurs. The main thing is to know what should be the basal temperature. Before menstruation, she is one, after them - another. And you will have to remember this under any circumstances.
Menstrual cycle and changes
Unfortunately, it is impossible to find a definite answer on the topic being studied. External factors affect the body. Moreover, women constantly have a menstrual cycle.
It can conditionally be divided into 3 phases:
- follicular;
- ovulation;
- luteal.
In all these intervals, body temperature will be different. And this is quite normal.
Follicular stage
What basal temperature before menstruation is normal? Consider all possible scenarios.
In the menstrual cycle, the first stage is follicular. This is the period of egg maturation in the follicle. It occurs during critical days and lasts until about the middle of the cycle.
What is the basal temperature before menstruation in this case? The corresponding indicator should stop at 36.6 degrees. The difference may be 0.1 degrees.
During critical days
Basal temperature before menstruation 36 degrees can be, but it is not the norm. We will talk about deviations later. First, consider typical life situations.
During critical days the temperature is lowered. It will be below 36.6 and above 36.1 degrees. In the last day of menstruation, the average is 36.4 degrees. This is a normal occurrence.
Before the day "X"
Ovulation is the period when the chances of getting pregnant are highest. And so girls often "catch" her. Monitoring body temperature is one of the most accurate methods for determining ovulation.
Before ovulation (as well as monthly), indicators will be lower than usual by 0.1-0.2 degrees. A day or two before the X-day, they decrease, and then increase.
Ovulation
Basal temperature before menstruation is important. It may indicate pregnancy, ovulation, or any disease.
A basal temperature before menstruation of 37.2-37 degrees is normal if ovulation is coming soon. The closer the day the egg leaves the follicle, the higher the corresponding indicators will be.
Is the increase to 37.5 degrees normal? Yes. This phenomenon is associated with an increase in progesterone. It raises body temperature. With its help, further development of the fetus occurs with successful fertilization.
Luteal phase
What is the basal temperature before menstruation after the middle of the cycle? Namely, after ovulation?
The luteal phase is accompanied by an increased "temperature regime." During this period, a temperature of 37 to 37.5 degrees Celsius is considered normal. Below - perhaps higher - no.
Accordingly, fever is not always a sign of illness or a cause for panic. In any case, in mature women.
In a couple of days
And what is the basal temperature before menstruation a day or 3 days before the "accident"? It is impossible to unequivocally answer a similar question.
The thing is that the range of indicators in this period is very extensive. The normal range is 36.8-37.2 degrees. Such values should not cause panic.
The difference between the phases
In general, the studied component often depends solely on the organism of a single person. And therefore, one cannot say for sure when a particular meaning is a deviation. You will have to carefully monitor your health so as not to be mistaken.
Basal temperature is not measured in the afternoon before menstruation. Physical activity distorts reality. Therefore, measurements are carried out only in the morning. And we already got acquainted with approximate temperatures.
It is important to pay attention to the difference between the phases of the menstrual cycle relative to basal temperature. Before menstruation, it is increased, after them it decreases.
If you carefully look at the schedule of BT, you can see that the cycle is divided into 2 phases - before and after ovulation. The spread of indicators between them should be no more than 0.4 degrees. Otherwise, it is worth suspecting violations of vital processes in the body.
Pregnancy
It's hard to believe, but the indicator we studied helps determine pregnancy. The main thing is to know how to do it.
Here are the phenomena that can be observed with successful fertilization of the egg:
- The temperature level rises to 37 degrees (or higher) and lasts at this value for 3 days longer than in the previous cycle.
- The BT schedule does not have 2 waves of temperature fluctuations, but 3.
- Basal temperature increased for more than 3 weeks.
All these phenomena often indicate the development of pregnancy. If the girl watches them at home, you can do a test at home or go to the gynecologist.
Progesterone deficiency
Now a few words about how the basal temperature chart will look before menstruation and after them in the case of individual diseases.
For example, progesterone deficiency is observed in the body. Then the chart "jumps" down. The temperature rises slowly, but keeps it elevated for too long. The second segment of the cycle is shortened to 10 days (instead of average 14).
With progesterone deficiency, a decrease is observed at the very beginning of the cycle (36 degrees and below), then the temperature rises slowly, but it does not reach normal levels.
Endometritis
Quite often, women experience endometritis. So called inflammation of the uterine mucosa. In this case, an increase in temperature is observed.
As a rule, the temperature will fluctuate within normal limits. But in the first days of the new cycle, it rises to 37-37.2 degrees. It is this phenomenon that indicates an inflammatory process in the body. And this is not necessarily endometritis.
No ovulation
What if there is no ovulation? What then happens to the indicator being studied?
This situation is well monitored by BT schedule. The thing is that in the absence of ovulation, the temperature can be any. It is very difficult to build a chart, since the points line up randomly. No dynamics or principles of raising / lowering in the drawing can be determined. And break the "drawing" into 2 phases, too.
Appendages and their inflammation
Sometimes it happens that a woman suffers from inflammation of the appendages and does not suspect about it. The situation under study will help clarify the situation.
Now we have found out the temperature norms in a healthy woman. If there is inflammation in the body, the indicators increase. In our case, we have to face a very high temperature after ovulation. It rises to 38 degrees or more. In the first half of the menstrual cycle, the indicators will be near the mark of 37 degrees.
Influence factors
It is worth paying attention to the fact that basal temperature can vary depending on external factors. Some people underestimate their effect on the body.
What phenomena can distort the received data? For instance:
- stress
- overwork;
- insomnia;
- alcohol consumption;
- the presence of bad habits;
- moving, flights;
- acclimatization;
- sexual intercourse 4-6 hours before data collection;
- taking hormone-containing drugs.
These are the most common occurrences. They can correct temperature fluctuations before menstruation in a particular case.
How to achieve effectiveness
Some are interested in what is needed in order to navigate in the graphs and data on BT. There is only one really valid advice - this is to keep a schedule constantly.
You can navigate by basal temperature already after 2-3 cycles, the data for which are recorded in a special drawing. It is advisable to draw conclusions on graphs over the past six months.
How to measure temperature
How much is basal temperature before menstruation? The answer to this question will no longer cause any trouble. Each girl will be able to understand whether everything is normal with her body on this or that day of the menstrual cycle.
How to measure BT? To do this, you can collect data:
- orally;
- rectally;
- vaginal method.
The most accurate BT scores are collected in the anus. It is he who is better to give preference.
In any case, the girl will need to act like this:
- Wake up and immediately take the measuring device.
- Keep the thermometer in the mouth for at least 5 minutes, in the vagina or rectum - 3 minutes.
- Record the received data by putting a mark on the BT chart.
That's all. It would seem that there is nothing difficult in this. But in fact, scheduling gives certain chores to the fairer sex.
Tips for women
Let's look at a few helpful tips to help you get the most accurate body temperature data.
They look like this:
- Measure temperature only in the morning. Physical activity and fatigue greatly distort the real picture of what is happening in the body.
- Use the same instrument for measurements. If you need to replace the thermometer, it is recommended to make an appropriate mark on the temperature graph.
- Measure temperature only one of the proposed methods.
- Record all BT data and record them on the corresponding chart. For example, using special "calculators". They are in almost every women's forum.
- Collect data at the same time. As a rule, it is best to do this at 6-7 a.m. or immediately after waking up.
That's all. As we have said, it is necessary to measure body temperature without getting out of bed. Therefore, it is better to put the measuring device near the bed.
Conclusion
We fully understood the issue under consideration. From now on, every girl will be able to build a schedule of BT and understand when she has ovulation. Diseases and inflammations can also be seen in the corresponding drawing.
As a rule, it is BT that helps women in planning pregnancy. It is this indicator that interests girls with infertility. But to determine pregnancy, ovulation or inflammatory processes only by body temperature is not necessary. As already mentioned, this indicator is easily distorted under the influence of external factors.