Basaltemperatur

Basaltemperatur, or basal body temperature, is the body's lowest resting temperature, typically measured after waking and before any activity. It is influenced by hormonal fluctuations, especially estrogen and progesterone, and can be affected by sleep quality, environment, illness, and stress.

Measurement methods include using a precise digital basal thermometer. The measurement should be taken at about the same time each morning, after at least three hours of undisturbed sleep, before getting out of bed or performing any activity. The temperature can be recorded orally, vaginally, or rectally, with oral measurement being the most common. Consistency in method and timing improves interpretability of long-term charts.

Typical cycle pattern: during the follicular phase, basal temperature is relatively low. A slight dip may precede ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone causes a rise in basal temperature by roughly 0.2–0.5°C (0.3–0.9°F) and it remains elevated through the luteal phase. The elevated level often persists until just before the next menstrual period. If pregnancy occurs, the higher temperature may be maintained during the early weeks. If menstruation begins, the temperature usually drops back to baseline.

Applications: Basal temperature charting is used in fertility awareness methods to identify likely fertile days and to monitor patterns over time. It is not recommended as a sole form of contraception. It can also provide insights into reproductive health, but individual variations are common and readings should be interpreted in context of other signs, such as cervical mucus.