Thermometer/Charting

[bollz]

I purchased a well reviewed digital thermometer from Amazon to start chatting temps this cycle but it seems to be measuring really low :-/ my temps have been between 35.8 - 36.2 (Celsius) ?! We tested it on my other half yesterday evening and even he had 35.7 degrees and he is usually an oven to sleep next too!

Does it really matter so long as I use the same thermometer for the whole month? Or should I scrap it and try another?

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

You can use a regular old thermometer for all it matters but the BBT goes 0.00 where a regular one goes 0.0. Its more accurate. Vaginally is also more accurate. Make sure you are taking your temp after at least 3 hrs sleep (longer the better) at the same time every day BEFORE doing anything! As in open your eyes and temp, THEN get up and do your stuff. You will see a pattern forming thats unique to you. Theres no perfect or ideal chart.
You just want lower temps before ovulation with a temp shift upward sustained after ovulation.

FertilityFriend has a great charting course and Taking Charge Of Your Fertility is a great book.

 

[bollz]

Ahh. Darn, I must have just got a digital one rather than basal. I guess I'll give it a go this cycle, along with OPK's and see if the pattern seems to match up I hate to waste money on another to find I do just have a slightly lower body temperature generally!

Thanks for all advice!

 

[2ducks]

I would highly recommend getting a BBT to have a more accurate chart. My local drug store sells a BBT for around $11 USD and Amazon.com has may for $10 and under. I use a MABIS which came highly recommended in the online community, I think it was only about $8 bucks. You can save your fancy new thermometer for someday when you have sick kids at home! Good luck!

Oh, I also agree with PP. I use FF and def read Taking Charge of Your Fertility

 

[busybeebear]

Hey ladies. I bought a BBT and have started using it after coming off BC about 3 weeks ago. I've charted every day and there are no patterns forming yet. Prior to BC I was never regular. It's why I went on it in the first place at age 15. Now I'm 31 and wondering if my body even knows how to ovulate. How long would you wait to see a dr? I thought I'd give it 3-4 months to see if I get any signs of menstruation or ovulation and then visit. I don't have high hopes... 😕

 

[2ducks]

Hey ladies. I bought a BBT and have started using it after coming off BC about 3 weeks ago. I've charted every day and there are no patterns forming yet. Prior to BC I was never regular. It's why I went on it in the first place at age 15. Now I'm 31 and wondering if my body even knows how to ovulate. How long would you wait to see a dr? I thought I'd give it 3-4 months to see if I get any signs of menstruation or ovulation and then visit. I don't have high hopes... 😕

If you weren't regular before BCP than don't expect to be regular now. Give it 3 months and if you don't start your period go to a doc. I was irregular before BCP and stopped at age 31 after about 13 years on the pill. Turns out I have PCOS and the pill was masking it. Or you could be fine and just naturally have irregular cycles. Either way if you go to your doc now they will tell you to wait a few months and come back. Take this next few months and get ready for pregnancy. Kick any bad habits, eat healthier if you need to, start exercising and hope that AF starts. Coming off BCP was really frustrating for me, hang in there!

 

[busybeebear]

Thank you 2ducks! You have echoed my thoughts. I know if I speak to a Dr now they will tell me it's too soon. It's hard when you know in your heart (or perhaps your uterus!) That something isn't quite right. PCOS has crossed my mind but apart from the irregularity I don't have other symptoms. Under stress I have developed some auto-immune symptoms to too much sugar/dairy/gluten though so I wonder if I have a sensitivity. I know these ingredients, particularly milk and gluten, can affect regular hormone production. So I'm going to cut them out. Even if it's not related I figure it can't hurt. If I do this for the nrxt 3-4 months and be patient at least I know I've done what I can for now.

I wish you all the best. 😚

 

[2ducks]

Being patient is the hard part, especially when you know something is wrong. My doc gave me a progesterone withdrawal challenge after 3 months of no AF after BCP. I responsed but it did not kick start my cycles. I then went to an OB who wanted me to wait 3 more months to "see what happens", it was so frustrating! I have mild PCOS. I don't have cysts but I have absent periods/ovulation and some signs of high testosterone mainly body acne and some chin hairs. I gave up gluten, added sugar and I have limited dairy. Good news is that going gluten free is pretty easy these days. There are awesome gluten free pastas, pizza crusts etc. Just watch out for hidden gluten in things like salad dressings. I was also a total sugar addict. When I stopped sugar I actually had withdrawals and crazy cravings, after a few days I was fine and my palate has changed. When i have something sweet I only need a small amount to feel sated. Right now I would say I am 100% gluten free 90% sugar free and 80% dairy free. Cheese is the hardest thing to give up! My acne is way better. I still get chin hairs but i pluck those!