Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern diagnostic tools can be an effective way to monitor ovulation and address hormonal functions. The basal body temperature (BBT) is measured upon waking and before any physical activity or food intake. Fluctuations in basal body temperature reflect changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Regular tracking of the changes can provide valuable insights into your ovulation patterns and hormonal functions.
What is Basal Body Temperature (BBT) tracking?
The BBT method is an easy and affordable way to find out when ovulation occurs, along with other methods like monitoring cervical mucous changes or using ovulation kits to enhance your fertility prospects. It is important to note that the most fertile period is in the two to three days before the BBT rise. While BBT may not predict ovulation outright, it helps to confirm ovulation. By monitoring your BBT over several months, you can establish patterns that will help you predict ovulation.
What should a normal BBT chart look like?
An ideal BBT chart would be a clear biphasic pattern and have an even length between the Follicular phase and the Luteal phase in a 28-day cycle. The temperature is expected to be lower before ovulation, followed by a dip at ovulation and a rise of 0.3-0.5 degrees post-ovulation. Ideally, your temperatures remain above 36.0 degrees throughout the cycle.
An ideal BBT chart
When the period comes, hormone levels drop back down to the base level, leading to a drop in temperature, and returning to the Follicular phase. Conversely, in the case of pregnancy, the body will continue to produce progesterone and the temperature remain elevated.
In clinical practice, we often see charts showing irregular temperature fluctuations throughout the menstruation cycle, indicating hormonal imbalance. Chinese Medicine practitioners can utilise the concept of basal body temperature to assess fertility issues and support hormone regulation, enhancing the chances of fertility.
Slow temperature rise during ovulation
The gradual temperature rise over approximately three days during ovulation signifies the transition of reproductive function from Yin to Yang in Chinese Medicine theory. A slow transition from Yin to Yang indicates the transformation of Kidney Yin to Kidney Yang, with insufficient Kidney Yin potentially disrupting the process. Lifestyle factors like late nights, emotional stress, and weakened immunity can impact Kidney Yin. Conversely, Kidney Yang deficiency directly affects organ function, with lung health crucial for sustaining Kidney Yang. Sedentary habits, excessive workloads, fatigue, and diet can lead to Spleen Yang deficiency, affecting Kidney function and manifesting as a slow rise in body temperature.
Shortened Luteal phase
Ideally lasting more than 12 days in a menstrual cycle, a Luteal phase of less than 12 days signals a shortened phase. This condition suggests a lack of sustained progesterone secretion, hindering the release of adrenaline required to maintain elevated temperatures. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, this reflects a lack of energy after transitioning from Yin to Yang, suggesting insufficient Kidney Yang. This parallels the causes seen in the slow-rise type of Kidney Yang deficiency in basal body temperature during ovulation.
It is recommended that women with this constitution type, limit the intake of fruits, cold drinks and raw food during the Luteal phase. If consumption is necessary, it should be done sparingly before 2 PM, a period of heightened Yang energy during the day.
Low-temperature type
A continued low-temperature pattern in basal body temperature indicates possible Qi or Yang deficiency throughout the menstrual cycle. Individuals with this constitution might experience cold limbs, hypotension, occasional chest tightness, or a need for deep breaths.
Low-temperature type during Luteal phase or unstable temperature fluctuations
When a biphasic temperature pattern is absent, with a temperature difference of less than 0.3°C between phases and no LH surge, it may suggest an absence of ovulation and inadequate progesterone secretion. In Chinese medicine, this could point to complex issues like Kidney Yin failing to transition to Yang, involving other organ systems such as the Heart, Liver and Spleen. In Western medicine, this may align with conditions like Polycystic Ovaries (PCOS) or Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).
It is encouraged to bring any test reports and basal body temperature charts to your Chinese Medicine appointment. This collaborative approach allows both the practitioner and the patient to gain a deeper understanding of the body and work together effectively towards optimal outcomes.