New to Forum/Seeking Advice on Practitioners and Low Temps

[Anonymous]

I'm new to the forum, and I'm seeking advice about practitioners to consult with about a possible fertility issue. I'm in my second month of charting (BBT and cervical fluid). My temperature has remained fairly low (97.2-97.9) even after the two times I may have ovulated. In both months, I also used a digital ovulation kit, which indicated a surge in my LH levels about 15 days into my cycle; however, my cervical fluid didn't increase much in the days leading up to the (supposed) ovulation and my temperature remained steady even after ovulation.

I'm wondering if I'm even ovulating and the causes and treatment options for my low temperatures (e.g., possibly hypothyroidism or other issues). I would welcome any suggestions on practitioners (including acupuncturists) I can consult with about my general reproductive health and particularly the low temperatures.

Thanks very much!

[Anonymous]

OP here: I'm trying for baby #2 (3 months in). Baby #1 came easily and unexpectedly, so I was a bit surprised about the low temps..

[Anonymous]

Do you have a OB/GYN? I'd start there, particulalry since you've been successful in the past. They can do basic labs to check for thyroid and other common problems. No sense in jumping to a specialist yet. There are several good threads on acupuncturists, but if you're up in MD, I'd recommend Diane Gioioso.

[Anonymous]

what are your pre-ovulation temps?? The upper end of those temps don't strike me as low for post O. My typical pre o Temp is like 96.8/96/9-- then post O is over 97.5.
Also- are you taking your temp at exactly the same time every morning, and are you getting a solid 3 hrs of uninterrupted sleep before you temp?

If you are temping right and you don't see a temp change I would tend to think you didn't ovulate. But if you have been only temping for a couple mos I think it is more likely that you are not temping right.

[Anonymous]

Don't know where you are, but for acupuncture, Jennifer Bales at Round Belly Wellness is awesome, and works a lot on charting.

[Anonymous]

Your pre-ovulation temps are not low. When you're body is in a resting state temps are lower. It is very important to take your temp at the same time everyday and to not get up to do it.

For me that means setting my alarm at 6:00, keeping the thermometer on my nightstand and using my phone light to read the temp. I then input it immediately into my fertilty friend app. My temps before ovulation are usually 97.2-97.9 and after I ovulate they go to 98.4 and above.

[Anonymous]

OP again...thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I temp between 5:15-6:15 am and I sometimes use the restroom up to an hour or two before I get up. The thermometer is right next to my bed and I use my cell phone light to input the data. Can even an hour make a difference and the batheoom break make much of a difference? I haven't seen much advice on how much flexibility there is in temping.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again...thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I temp between 5:15-6:15 am and I sometimes use the restroom up to an hour or two before I get up. The thermometer is right next to my bed and I use my cell phone light to input the data. Can even an hour make a difference and the batheoom break make much of a difference? I haven't seen much advice on how much flexibility there is in temping.

Thanks again!

Yes, this bathroom break an hour before can make a HUGE difference. For me, it would be THE difference with detecting ovulation since my temps are also lower and the shift is noticeable on FF but isn't a massive shift but everyone is different. Read Taking Charge of Your Fertility if you haven't. An easy read and a must for temping. You need a solid 3 hrs of sleep before you wake and to temp inmediately upon waking. You can try temping when you do your bathroom break and then again when you are ready to wake for the day to see if there is a difference.

The other thing that I have paid closer attention to as this has taken longer is CM. Cm is really way more important than temps or OPK. When you have good CM, that's THE best time to go for it. TCOYF is helpful for this. I also don't have tons but drinking tons and tons of water and some supplements have helped. I'm also careful not to take any decongestants or drying meds during this time.

Good luck OP!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again...thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I temp between 5:15-6:15 am and I sometimes use the restroom up to an hour or two before I get up. The thermometer is right next to my bed and I use my cell phone light to input the data. Can even an hour make a difference and the batheoom break make much of a difference? I haven't seen much advice on how much flexibility there is in temping.

Thanks again!

yes- it can make a big difference. It can render your temp data worthless. Note however- it just makes your data worthless- it doesn't impact your fertility.

How much flexibility there is on timing varies somewhat from woman to woman. It sounds like it is making a big difference for you.
Here is my advice- only consider valid those temps that are taken within 15 mins (5:15-5:30). Do not consider it a valid temp if you did not have 3 hrs of uninterrupted sleep before you temp'd-- If you are using FF you can check 'discard my temperature'. If you are doing it by hand- record it, but don't draw a line with it (make it a bubble).

Pay more attention to your cervical fluids.

If your main goal is TTC (vs awareness about your cycle)- I would recommend BD's every other day from day 10-day20. Depending on how old you are If you go three-6mos like that without conceiving, then look more deeply into a possible issue.