The BBT chart and a natural conception
A Little Gem
Let’s talk about the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) chart and why it is a little gem in an acupuncturist’s tool box and to the women who use them. The BBT chart empowers you to take control of your menstrual cycle and identify when you are most fertile. In western society we are conditioned to believe our cycles are inconvenient, and we do everything in our power to cease or suppress them(Read my Period Power blog). When the time feels right for a woman to create a family ceasing the contraceptive pill or hormone coil can take a bit of time for your natural rhythm to return and it can feel frustrating. That’s the time to slow right down and go back to the basics. If we tune in, our body tells us so much. There are little signs everywhere.
We acupuncturist’s love a BBT chart because it gives us additional information that we can use alongside the tongue and pulse diagnosis. It highlights potential imbalances like short luteal phases or low progesterone, which can impact fertility. A short luteal phase can indicate a Kidney Yang deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and can be addressed with acupuncture and herbs. The temperature patterns help us to create a treatment plan to restore balance to the body's Qi (energy), Blood, Yin and Yang. Therefore, improving reproductive health.
How To Use A BBT Chart
BBT charting involves taking your temperature every morning before getting out of bed and recording it on a charting app. A digital or mercury thermometer is the most accurate. Its best to have had at least four hours unbroken sleep and to take it at the same time every morning. Start charting on day one of your period - A typical menstrual cycle shows a biphasic pattern: lower temperatures before ovulation and a sustained rise of about 0.2°C to 0.5°C after ovulation, due to the influence of progesterone. If you have just ceased taking some form contraceptive, then it may take a while for a pattern to emerge.
The BBT chart helps differentiate between the follicular phase (before ovulation) and the luteal phase (after ovulation). The shift in temperature indicates when ovulation occurs, which is key information for understanding fertility and for couples to time intercourse for conception. Some clients also use ovulation sticks which are used in a similar way to pregnancy tests to identify when you are due to ovulate and at your most fertile. My clients find this helpful in confirming ovulation has occurred and cross reference this with the BBT chart.
Cervical Mucus
Cervical mucus is another way to track when you are most fertile. In TCM it indicates the condition of a woman’s Yin (oestrogen). Fertile mucus begins approximately six days before ovulation occurs. The mucus becomes more slippery, stretchy and like raw egg white allowing the sperm to swim easily to the cervix. As a woman comes closer to ovulating the mucus becomes more lubricating and a little clearer activating the sperm as they pass through.
When a woman isn’t producing fertile mucus it’s a sign that she is deficient in Yin and Blood. This can occur following a period of time on the contraceptive pill and can hinder a natural conception for some time after ceasing taking the pill. That’s where the magic of acupuncture (or herbs) can change the dynamics by using some carefully selected acupuncture points to reinforce Kidney Yin and build Blood and improve chances of fertility.
All this information can be added to your chart, including times of intimacy, your period details such as length, colour and clots. After all, the aim is to ensure a healthy unobstructed discharge of blood demonstrating the endometrium lining has shedded and preparing for the growth of a new, thick, receptive lining.
Why Acupuncture?
I love being an acupuncturist and supporting women’s health because it’s a non- invasive therapy. We work holistically supporting your whole well-being. We look after your mental health and identify other patterns that may be affecting your ability to conceive. There is nothing more satisfying to an acupuncturist then to see on your BBT chart the changes in temperature and cervical mucus because the balance of your body has been restored by acupuncture treatments and the lifestyle advice we give to our clients. Giving you the best chance to conceive naturally.
