Understanding your temperature chart
Just as women are different and unique, so are their menstrual cycles.
At some point, we might be unsure whether your cycle is "normal" or has irregularities. It often helps to compare your own basal body temperature curve with examples.
The „typical“ curve
This illustration shows a "typical" cycle curve with a duration of 28 days. In this example, ovulation took place between cycle days 12 and 13, which can be easily recognized by the clear increase in the waking or basal body temperature (BBT). After ovulation (marked with an asterisk), the second phase of the cycle, also called the luteal or corpus luteum phase, occurs. This relatively constant phase lasts 15 days in this example. The luteal phase in turn ends with the onset of menstruation.
Drop in the temperature curve before ovulation
In this example, you can see that the last temperature value before ovulation (marked with an arrow) is significantly lower than the daily values measured the days before. The reason for this is the increased estrogen level shortly before ovulation, which is responsible for this temperature outlier. If you are trying to conceive, this is the perfect day for sexual intercourse.
Increased average value
A higher average temperature is shown in this example. This could be the first indication of hyperthyroidism.
The following symptoms can be further indications of hyperthyroidism:
- persistently long cycles (>35 days)
- short menstrual bleeds (<3 days)
- general restlessness and nervousness
- rapid, increased sweating
Despite the increased average temperature, the curve shows the typical bi-phasic picture of a temperature rise after ovulation. Even in the luteal phase, the increased temperature clearly remains.
Important: Whether you really suffer from hyperthyroidism can only be diagnosed by a doctor.
Low average value
Here the example curve shows a very low average temperature, which may indicate a possible hypothyroidism.
Pay attention if your wake-up temperature is permanently below 35°C degrees. Please note temperatures below 35°C degrees are automatically excluded by the algorithm and displayed as a yellow or red day.
Other indications of hypothyroidism can be:
- absent menstruation or amenorrhea
- persistent heavy periods
- irregular cycles
- cycles without ovulation (no temperature rise)
- short luteal phase
- significant temperature fluctuations between the measured days
Furthermore, the curve shows the typical temperature rise after ovulation, although the basal body temperature is consistently very low. The constantly increased temperature in the corpus luteum phase is also clearly visible.
Important: Whether you really suffer from hypothyroidism can only be diagnosed by a doctor.
Temperature out of range
There are cycles in which individual measurements are clearly out of range, as here in this example (see arrow). These fluctuations are recognized by Lady-Comp and Pearly and tolerated without problems. In case of doubt, such days are displayed as yellow or red. Such one-time temperature outliers can be caused by fever, too little or too much sleep, excessive alcohol consumption or incorrect measurements.
Sickness and fever
A fever is defined as a body temperature of at least 38°C. Even if you have taken a temperature reading, please note temperatures above 37.8°C or below 35°C are automatically excluded by the algorithm and displayed as a yellow or red day.
However, as a rule of thumb, if you wake up in the morning and don't feel well or sick, please skip the measurements until you are well again.
You want to evaluate your cycle curve yourself? Here you can upload the data from your Lady-Comp and a PDF with your curve will be generated immediately.
If you would like to have your cycle analyzed by our experts, please send us the PDF or the .txt file from your Lady-Comp directly to our Customer Support: info@lady-comp.ch
