bbtBBT Charting and Chinese Medicine for Fertility

If you’re seeing an acupuncturist for help getting pregnant, Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charts may play an important role in guiding your treatments.  BBT charts are often used as means of birth control through the “rhythm” method.  Though many western fertility specialists find BBTs to be unnecessary in their modern practices, these readings can provide useful insights about your cycle for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners specializing in fertility.

How is BBT Taken and Charted?

BBT is body temperature taken in the morning before rising, moving about, or eating.  To be accurate, the temperatures must be taken at the same time every day upon waking, preferably after a good night’s sleep. BBTs are measured orally with a thermometer and recorded on a chart in graph form.  It is essential that the thermometer reads accurately to the 10th of a degree, so you may want to purchase a specific BBT thermometer.  Any discrepancies to your normal sleep cycle or wake time should be noted so your practitioner can account for inconsistent readings. 

Several factors can influence and distort BBT, including:

  • Irregular sleep, disruptive sleep, or travel to different time zone
  • Alcohol or drug consumption including antipyretic and anti-inflammatory medications or sleeping aids.

If you work swing shifts for work or have sleep difficulties, BBT charting may not be the most reliable tool for you.  

 

 
bbt2The Picture Perfect BBT

BBT chart fluctuations reflect changes in a woman’s body throughout the menstrual cycle.  During pre-ovulation (also known as the follicular phase) temperatures should remain fairly stable.  Typically, there is a dip in BBT when lutenizing hormone (LH) surges just before ovulation and a spike in temperature shortly after ovulation.  Luteal phase (post-ovulatory) temperatures should remain at least 0.4 degrees higher than follicular phase temperatures in order for implantation to be successful. 

Keep in mind that most women’s BBT charts are not picture perfect, and conception can occur despite irregularities.  This tool should be used as information only, not a complete diagnosis.  If you tend to be more stressed out by “too much information,” BBT charting may cause more harm than good.  Talk to your practitioner to decide BBT charting is right for you.

How will my Acupuncturist use my BBT ?

Charting BBT over several months can indicate irregularities in your cycle that may be contributing to irregular cycles, anovulation, difficulty conceiving, or reoccurring miscarriages.  

As you continue to chart your temperatures, a TCM practitioner specifically trained in fertility will be able to analyze your BBT graph to recognize and diagnose large and subtle imbalances, and identify progress of your treatment.  Irregularities in the chart can help to determine nervous system overstimulation, adrenal fatigue, and hormone imbalances.  Chinese medicine and acupuncture provide safe and effective treatment to correct these issues, including conditions not successfully treatable with western medicine including elevated FSH, pre-menstrual syndrome, and anovulation.

TCM practitioners can use BBT chart data to design a specific treatment regimen that will improve overall health, correct fertility issues, and help you increase your likelihood of conceiving your child and becoming a mom.  For best results, please be sure to work with a practitioner that has extensive training in fertility.

Click here to download a free BBT chart from HolisticKid.com.