Symptothermia is a method of observing the cycle that allows us to reliably determine when the fertile periods of our menstrual cycles begin and end.
It is mainly based on DOUBLE CONTROL. In other words, cervical mucus and temperature must be taken into account.
Other parameters will also be observed (feeling, position of the cervix).
Which thermometer should I use to take my temperature when practicing symptothermia?
You need to take your temperature with a double-decimal thermometer (2 digits after the decimal point). This level of precision is necessary to highlight temperature variations.
Which thermometers do I recommend?
- The one from bivéa is reliable, and I've personally been using it for a long time.
- There are also other formats like this one. The size of the tip is more suitable for oral use.
- Now there are also connected thermometers like this one. But I haven't had a chance to try it.
Parameters to check: double decimal point, soft tip, which memorizes the last temperature, ideally backlit display, but not easy to find.
How do you take your temperature correctly?
It's essential to take your temperature internally. This means oral, vaginal or anal.
Skin temperatures are unreliable and too far removed from our internal temperature.
[su_highlight]Note: during the same cycle, the same route must be used so that the catches are reproducible from one day to the next[/su_highlight].
When should I take my temperature?
In the morning, ideally before waking up. The idea is to automate temperature taking:
"When the alarm goes off, I take my temperature.
During the first observation cycles, it's advisable to take your temperature every day to really see your personal temperature curve and get used to it.
Thereafter, temperature taking is limited to the fertile period. As a general rule, it is no longer necessary to take a temperature at the beginning of the cycle, and then again during the last third of the cycle.
It's important to make a note of the times at which you take your temperature, as some women can be chrono-sensitive (the impact of time of day on temperature).
This has no impact on the reliability of the observations, but may require more regular intake times for some women.
What we'll be looking at in concrete terms :
Analysis of a classic symptothermal temperature curve.
All observations are plotted on a cyclogram. If we look at the temperature parameter alone, we can see that this curve has a very specific shape.
1 First phase: the "low" plateau
Initially, the cycle is governed mainly by the hormone estrogen. As estrogen is hypothermic, it induces relatively "low" temperatures.
2 The climb
Around the time of ovulation, the body changes state and transitions from the estrogen phase to the progesterone phase. This means a rise in temperature (which may be gradual or sudden).
3 The high tray
Once ovulation has occurred, the cycle is clearly in its luteal or progesterone phase. As progesterone is hyperthermia-inducing, temperatures remain at a high plateau.
4 Relapse
In the days leading up to the onset of menstruation, the drop in progesterone induces an observable drop in temperature, heralding the arrival of menstruation.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Take temperature several times in a row with thermometer
- Taking the temperature into account after a night of drinking
- Use a conventional thermometer (accuracy +/- 0.1°C)
- Don't write down your temperature-taking schedule (we're going to need it!).
- Changing the route of administration (buccal, vaginal or anal) during the cycle
- Changing thermometers within the same cycle
To know more
If you get up during the night to urinate or drink, for example, this has no impact on your temperature.
It is not advisable to take oral temperatures if you drink at night.
If you're a new mother and baby wakes you up in the early hours of the morning, take your temperature as soon as you get up in the morning. Your body needs to have been at rest for at least 3 to 5 hours to return to its basal temperature (according to "vivre sa fertilité naturellement avec les indices combinés", Milène Clichy).
If you work at night, take your temperature when you wake up after resting.
Please note that this article is for information purposes only and is not sufficient for the practice of symptothermy.
What hasn't been covered here: situations that affect temperature, how to record temperature in the cyclogram, how to deal with disturbed temperatures, how to highlight the different phases and interpret temperature, how to relate temperature to mucus and other fertility signs.
To find out more and get started safely with symptothermia :
[su_button url="https://cyclointima-backup.mangrovea.com/index.php/e-coaching-contraception-naturelle-2/ " target="blank " background="#efad2d " size="5″ center="yes " radius="round " icon="icon: heart"]Getting started safely with symptothermia[/su_button]
To go further on your own (less reliable):
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Sensiplan. Natural and Reliable - the Manual Paperback - December 4, 2017.
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L'art de vivre sa fertilité: Methode sympto-thermique de régulation naturelle des naissances Paperback Josef Rotzer.
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Live your fertility naturally with combined indices Paperback Milène Clichy
