What is the Basal Body Temperature Method? How can it be used effectively to prevent pregnancy?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The Basal Body Temperature Method is another form of fertility awareness. To use this method, a woman must take her basal body temperature (BBT) each morning before getting out of bed using a BBT thermometer that measures to tenths of a degree and record it on a temperature graph. Basal body temperature is the lowest temperature attained by the body during rest (usually during sleep). After 3 to 4 months a woman should be able to predict when she is ovulating based on the fact that the temperature drops just prior to ovulation and rises and remains elevated for several days after. The temperature rises in response to increased progesterone levels that occur in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Couples must avoid intercourse on the day that the temperature rises and for 3 days after. Because the temperature rise does not occur until after ovulation, sex just prior to the rise increases the risk of pregnancy. Some couples abstain for several days before the anticipated time of ovulation and for 3 days after.