Patient's question:
My menstrual cycle is irregular, usually lasting 40-50 days. My last period started on November 8th and ended on November 13th. On the 18th, I started using ovulation test strips, and until now, there have been two pink lines on the strips. My basal body temperature has been around 36.2°C, and today it was 36.45°C. The past two days, I had two ultrasound scans, which showed no mature follicles. So, am I already ovulating or is it not yet time? Am I not ovulating at all? Why does the ovulation test strip show ovulation from the 10th day after my period until now?Doctor's answer:
Hello: Common methods for checking ovulation include:1. Basal body temperature measurement: Starting from the first day of menstruation, measure your temperature under the tongue for 5 minutes every morning before getting out of bed and record it. Continue this until the next menstrual period. Normally, ovulation occurs around day 14 of the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, the body temperature rises by 0.3~0.5°C and remains elevated for about 12 days. If the temperature does not rise, rises slowly, lasts for a short duration, or does not rise by 0.3°C, it indicates no ovulation or insufficient luteal function.
2. Endometrial biopsy: Undergo a minor surgical procedure before or within 12 hours of the onset of menstruation to take a sample of the endometrium for examination. If there are secretory changes, it indicates ovulation. If there are proliferative changes, it suggests no ovulation. It can also detect other conditions such as endometrial tuberculosis.
3. Endocrine examination: Around one week before the onset of menstruation (post-ovulation), have a blood test to measure progesterone levels. An increase in progesterone indicates ovulation.