The short cycle showing early ovulation, or the long cycle showing late
ovulation, may highlight the mis-timing of intercourse.
This commonly occurs in women who have been told that they
should have intercourse on the 14th day or mid-cycle.
In the examples below, all the charts show consistent length luteal phases
of around 14 days, but greater variability in the length of the pre-ovulatory phase.
The temperature shifts vary from day 12 in the 25 day cycle, to 18 in the
30 day cycle and as late as day 23 in the 35 day cycle.
This highlights the importance of women having increased awareness of
mucus symptom as an indicator of fertility.
The temperature is of no value in predicting ovulation.
For the woman experiencing fertility problems
For example a ‘Day 21 Progesterone’ to assess the occurrence of ovulation, must be carried out some days after ovulation regardless of the day of cycle.
If a progesterone assay was taken on day 21 in the 35 day cycle, it would have been taken before ovulation occurred.
Similarly, a sperm-mucus compatibility test must be performed prior to ovulation regardless of the day of cycle, and when a woman has highly fertile mucus - increased wetness or slipperiness and a transparent stretchy mucus secretion.
Short luteal phase
The short luteal phase is significant - Fertilisation may occur but implantation does not occur if the luteal phase is less than eight days.
In this example, the temperature shift occurs on day 14, but the shift is minimal and is not sustained.
The temperature remains on one level.
The bleed, not a true period, is often lighter than usual.
This erratic temperature chart is the result of poor technique.
There is no value in recording the BBT unless it is done accurately.
Women also need to understand the implications of disturbances, such as illness, alcohol, medication, or disturbed sleep patterns and note their occurrence.
A temperature chart showing erratic and abnormally low readings usually indicates faulty technique.
This woman was planning pregnancy. Her cycles varied from 25-33 days.
She recorded her period for the first five days and then felt dry on day 6.
On day 7, she felt moist at the vaginal lips and noted some white mucus later in the day.
She knew her fertile phase had started.
Her mucus pattern continued, becoming cloudy and then clear and slippery on days 10-12.
She recognised this as highly fertile mucus, and had intercourse to coincide with this.
She noted her temperature shift on day 13, confirming ovulation.
On day 21, her temperature showed a further increase (possibly coinciding with implantation).
Her temperature remained high and her period did not arrive as she might have anticipated on day 26/27.
A sustained high temperature for more than 20 days indicates pregnancy.
This was confirmed with a pregnancy test.
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