Why BBT Charting Can Be a Game Changer When Trying to Conceive

BY JESSICA STRACHAN

When you’re on the fertility journey, tracking ovulation can be overwhelming using vague app predictions and ovulation LH test strips. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting is a simple, low-cost, and research-backed way to track your menstrual cycle and gain meaningful insight into your fertility.

And no, BBT charting doesn’t have to make your fertility journey feel overly clinical or stressful. In fact, many of my clients find that it offers a sense of clarity, connection, and empowerment.

WHAT IS BBT CHARTING?

BBT refers to your body’s lowest resting temperature, typically measured first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. After ovulation, the hormone progesterone increases and causes a subtle rise in BBT (usually around 0.3–0.5°C). And tracking this shift over time allows you to identify when ovulation has occurred.

WHY IS THIS SO USEFUL?

While many period tracking apps predict ovulation based on averages, BBT charting gives you confirmation that ovulation has actually taken place. This can dramatically improve the timing of intercourse and help you better understand your unique cycle patterns.

BENEFITS BEYOND OVULATION TRACKING

BBT charting is about more than just identifying ovulation. It can reveal:

• Cycle irregularity: Are your cycles consistent, or do they vary month to month

• Luteal phase length: The number of days between ovulation and your period. A luteal phase shorter than 10–12 days may indicate low progesterone.

• Erratic temperatures: Sharp spikes or dips could signal stress, illness, sleep disruption, or thyroid imbalance.

• Anovulatory cycles: A lack of a temperature rise may suggest that ovulation didn’t occur that month.

By seeing these patterns, you can flag potential hormonal issues sooner rather than waiting 6–12 months to seek further help.

WHY BBT CHART FOR YOUR CHINESE MEDICINE SESSION?

In Chinese medicine, a patient’s BBT chart is a goldmine of diagnostic information. We look at:

• The shape and timing of the temperature rise

• Whether there’s a dip mid-luteal phase

• How stable the temperatures are post-ovulation

These subtle signs often mirror what we see during pulse diagnosis and can help guide treatment for regulating the cycle, supporting the luteal phase, and improving overall reproductive health.

Even more encouraging, when using the BBT charting alongside your acupuncture treatment you can see changes occurring in your chart, giving you confidence in the work we are doing together.

GETTING STARTED WITH BBT CHARTING

You’ll need:

• A digital basal thermometer (ideally one with two decimal places)

• A way to record your data (we recommend the fertility friends app)

Take your temperature first thing in the morning immediately upon waking, before getting out of bed or even sitting up, aim for the same time each morning and over a few cycles, you’ll start to see clear patterns emerge.

Importantly, you will need to have had 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep before taking your BBT for it to be accurate. BBT measures your resting core temperature, and this only stabilizes after a few hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep.

FINAL THOUGHTS

BBT charting is a simple but powerful tool. It gives you real-time feedback, helps you advocate for your health, and can make the whole fertility journey feel less like guesswork and more like insight. Whether you’re just beginning your journey, on the path to your second or working with a fertility clinic, charting your BBT is one of the best things you can do to understand your cycle and support your fertility.

Want help getting started or curious what your chart might be saying?

Contact us for a free discovery call. Let’s take the guesswork out of your journey.