Is Temperature Fluctuation Normal?
Question
Dear Experts,
I am wondering if temperature fluctuation after ovulation can indicate a progesterone deficiency. My husband and I have been married eight months, have been trying to conceive for four, and use the Sympto-Thermal method of NFP.
I know it can take a normal couple up to twelve months to conceive, so I am not yet worried. However, like most women trying to conceive, I am a bit anxious about infertility, and my temperature drops concerned me.
My cycles are regular, 26-34 days with a luteal phase of 10-14 days (peak day to menses), obvious cervical mucous and obvious temperature rises around the time of ovulation. After ovulation, though, they tend to jump around, somtimes dropping below the full thermal shift level, but not below the pre-rise baseline.
We would be most grateful for your help as we cannot find information on this elsewhere and our NFP teachers do not know.
Thanks!
Andrea
Answer
Last Updated: July 24, 2013
You have obvious cervical mucus, and an obvious temperature shift. These are good signs of fertility. I am a little confused on your luteal phase length. I am not sure if you are counting Peak day or not. The luteal phase is the first day of temperature rise or peak day plus one until menses. Because fertility signs do not always coincide, on a sympto-thermal chart when there is a good shift, it is more accurate to use the temperature to indicate the luteal phase. Some temperature fluctuation not dropping below the low temperature level or pre-rise baseline is considered normal. A poor thermal shift, a short luteal phase, and premenstrual spotting are a few signs of inadequate functioning of fertility hormones and may contribute to infertility.
As you mentioned infertility is not medically recognized as such until a couple has been trying to conceive for twelve months. This is based on random intercourse without fertility awareness. With this in mind I would suggest to keep charting and look at your lifestyle and nutrition. An ideal book is ‘Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition’ by Marilyn Shannon. It includes a chapter on possible causes of female infertility as well as the male connection. If you have the “Art of NFP” by John Kippley, read chapter 20 on ‘Achieving Pregnancy’ or a pamphlet, ‘Practical helps for Seeking Pregnancy’ can be obtained from the Couple to Couple League. I would also like to suggest getting the article “Vitamin A’s role in Reproductive Health” from the May-June 2005 “Family Foundation” issue which can be obtained through CCL. www.ccli.org. It explains the importance of Vit A in your diet and how it relates to your reproductive health. Also, you may send in a chart to headquarters for further evaluation, if you are a CCL member. 1-800-745-8252
Mary-Lynn Ott
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