An updated basal body temperature method.
Basal body temperature (BBT) readings are handicapped as fertility predictors by exogenous influences on women's temperatures, many of which could be adjusted for by the presence of a non-cycling control. We, a married, cohabiting couple, tracked our BBTs for two months. We found substantial temperature covariability. When there were difficult-to-explain changes in the female partner's temperature, similar changes in the male partner's temperature suggested that these fluctuations were not attributable to ovulation. Additionally, a clear mid-cycle widening of our temperature gap suggested that ovulation had occurred. This is a limited trial of a new method. However, the potential for substantially improving the accuracy and usefulness of a globally utilized method, coupled with its inexpensiveness, ease, and painlessness, call for a larger study.
Frank
E
E
Emory University School of Medicine, Dept. of Family and Preventive Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303-3219, USA.
White
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010061:Ovulation Detection / Q000379:methods*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors