One Simple Tool to Optimize Your Fertility

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) is a great tool used to provide more insight into your fertility. It is cost effective, easy to use, and can highlight possible hormone fluctuations that could be negatively impacting your fertility.

Hormone levels detected on blood work do not tell the full story. Since hormones fluctuate greatly from one day to the next, going in for "Day 3 or Day 21” blood work provides only a small snapshot into your hormones. If your someone who struggles with irregular cycles, this can pose a further issue into getting the right information.

BBT testing is done daily through the month, therefore regardless of your cycle length, anyone is able to use this simple tool.

How to test your BBT:

1) Purchase a thermometer. Ensure it can detect up to two decimal places (ie. 36.00).

2) Download a fertility application (I personally like Fertility Friend) or download a blank chart to record your temperature.

3) Take your temperature orally, starting on Day 1 of your cycle (first day of your bleed, NOT spotting), immediately after waking. It is important to detect your temperature at the SAME time everyday and BEFORE you get out of bed since temperatures can change with activity.

4) Take note of your temperature reading on the app or chart.

5) Note any significant events that could alter your temperature (i.e.. stress, poor sleep, travel, sickness).

What does your BBT tell you?

  • When (or if) you are ovulating to optimize your chances of conceiving

  • Shortened/Lengthened luteal or follicular phase that could highlight some hormone imbalances

  • Thyroid function

Here at the clinic, we recommend patients take their BBT for at least 3 months to analyze and detect any patterns. A big part of monitoring BBT is detecting if ovulation is actually occurring and when would be the most optimal time to conceive (your fertile window). For every couple, that fertile window can vary, therefore to increase your chances of conceiving, charting your BBT for several months will highlight when ovulation is occurring in your specific case. This can be Day 14 for one woman or Day 18 for the next woman.

This simple tool, combined with cervical fluid testing (to be talked about in the near future), can be implemented right away and provide much insight into one’s fertility.

In good health,

Dr. Kirti Deol

Eric Muradov