Patient's question:
I got married today during the first lunar month, and my husband and I did not use any form of contraception. However, we haven't been able to conceive yet. We have visited several hospitals for check-ups, but all the results have been normal. My last menstrual period was on October 17th, which was two days earlier than the previous month. Today is the 12th day after my period, and I have a clear, egg-white-like discharge. However, my basal body temperature test only increased by 0.1 degrees compared to the previous few days. Could you please tell me if I am currently in my ovulation period, and what time is the peak of my ovulation?Doctor's answer:
Hello:The calculation of ovulation is not absolute; it varies from person to person. Normally, there is an increase in body temperature during this period. Nowadays, many people plan to have children on a specific schedule, so they are very concerned about how to calculate ovulation and how to use the basal body temperature method to determine the ovulation day. How should the basal body temperature method be performed correctly?
If a woman has a regular menstrual cycle, the day of ovulation is also relatively fixed, usually around 14 days before the next menstrual period. For example, if this month’s period is on March 5th, the next period might be on April 5th, making the ovulation day around March 20th. For women with irregular menstrual cycles, it may be more difficult to pinpoint the exact day of ovulation. The simplest method is to measure the basal body temperature to identify the ovulation date.
The correct method for measuring basal body temperature is to take the temperature every morning immediately after waking up without any physical activity, preferably in bed, and using a mouth thermometer.
After taking the temperature, record the daily readings on a basal body temperature chart. Once the temperature rises by 0.5 degrees compared to the previous day and remains elevated for three to five consecutive days, that day may be the ovulation day. If you want to conceive during the ovulation period, the best time to have intercourse is one to two days after the temperature rises, as this is when the conception rate is highest.