Questions and Answers
Basal Body Temperature
What if I miss a day of temperature recording?
No worries. Ova Ova should still be able to spot the shift in temperatures after ovulation, assuming you continue charting throughout the rest of your cycle. Missing one or two temperatures isn’t a big deal, but if you miss too many temperatures, it is possible that Ova Ova will not have enough information to identify when you ovulated. For maximum effectiveness, its best to stay in the habit of daily recordings.
Do I really need to take my temperature every day?
The short answer is no. Once you have been charting for several cycles there are a variety of tips you can follow to only take your temperature for less than half of your cycle and still be able to confirm ovulation. However, we recommend that before taking any short cuts, you first give yourself a chance to get the hang of charting. Also, many women find that it’s easier simply to stay in the habit of taking their temperature daily then worrying about short-cuts.
Like starting any new habit, it can be hard at first, but as you know, most things that are worthwhile take a little bit of effort. If you are used to taking a birth control pill, then taking your temperature instead of a pill is a pretty easy substitution. To be most effective, the birth control pill needs to be taken at the same time every day. In the same amount of time it would take you to get a glass of water and swallow a pill, you’ll have your temperature done. And the best part is you don’t even need to leave your bed.
Why am I receiving an “erratic” temperature reading?
As you plot more and more temperatures, you may notice an erratic number every now and then. Chart it anyway and let Ova Ova analyze the recording, but know that an erratic temperature may be due to a number of things, such as:
- Getting less than 3 hours of sleep (were you pulling an all-nighter before you took your temp?)
- Fever (if you are experiencing other symptoms, you could actually just be ill)
- Alcohol consumption (FYI: we’re not just talking a glass of wine to relax, but more like bachelorette-party levels)
- Significant changes in room temperature (snuggling up with an electric blanket?)
Can my temperatures tell me if I’m pregnant?
As discussed above, most women have a luteal phase (time from ovulation to period) that is the same length every cycle. If your temperatures remain elevated a few days longer than your typical luteal phase, this is a very strong indicator that you are pregnant. If your temperatures remain elevated for 16 days after ovulation you are most definitely pregnant. Head to the store and pick up a pregnancy test, or check out some of the reliable ones we’d recommend here.
Can my temperatures tell when I’ll get my period?
A typical basal body temperature pattern will often reveal a dip in temperatures as your progesterone levels drop, just before your next period. Also, most women have a very fixed time period from when they ovulate to when they get their next period, a phase of your cycle known as the luteal phase. The typical luteal phase is anywhere from 10 – 14 days. Therefore, you may discover that your luteal phase is always 12 days, so on day 12, you’ll know to pack your favorite tampon, pad, or menstrual cup in your purse. Forecasting when your period will start is just another perk of charting your fertility.
How Much Does A Basal Body Thermometer Cost?
The basal body thermometer Ova Ova recommends is only $12.00. Buy it here, or purchase the same or similar thermometers at most stores. If you pick out a thermometer at the store, just be sure you look for a thermometer that says basal on it.
What is basal body temperature?
Basal body temperature is simply your body’s temperature when it is at rest. In order to identify your resting temperature, you need to use a special, basal body thermometer (bbt). A bbt is used by taking your temperature first thing when you wake up before drinking anything, or starting to get ready for the day.
Cervical Fluid
Will I really be able to tell the difference between all these fluids and classify my cervical fluid?
Yes! I know it can seem hard when you are just reading about it and haven’t experienced it yet, but once you have observed these different types of fluid once or twice you will see just how easy it is.
How do I tell the difference between cervical fluid and seminal fluid?
Seminal fluid is the mixture of sperm and fluid that is ejaculated by a man during sex or masturbation. Many of its properties are very similar to cervical fluid in that it provides a medium for sperm to live, can be clear and/or cloudy, and slippery. Without dispelling leftover seminal fluid after unprotected sex, you may be unsure whether what you are observing is cervical fluid or seminal fluid since the properties are similar. The best way to prevent confusion is to practice a semen eliminating technique. After approximately 30 minutes after unprotected sex, go to the bathroom and continue to perform kegels, wipe, and bear down (act like you are having a bowel movement) until you do not see any more fluid.
What is arousal fluid and what is the difference between that and cervical fluid?
Arousal fluid is produced by the vagina (rather than the cervix) and is responsible for the wet lubrication most women experience prior to and during sex. As you can imagine, its purpose is to facilitate sex. It is clear and stretchy and has an appearance similar to eggwhite cervical fluid; therefore, to avoid confusion, do not check for cervical fluid when you are sexually aroused. Arousal fluid generally dissipates within an hour.
How does getting off birth control effect cervical fluid?
If you have taken the hormonal birth control pill, you have likely either experienced very scant cervical fluid, or due to the synthetic hormones in the pill, have observed thick, sticky fluid. Some women ovulate immediately after getting off the pill and others take a little time.
What if I never see any eggwhite cervical fluid?
Some women experience scant cervical fluid. This is often the case for the first few months after getting off a hormonal birth control (that or the opposite effect of continuous cervical fluid). However, if after a few months you are only observing very little cervical fluid or have not observed eggwhite cervical fluid, there are a variety of supplements and diet changes that many women have succeeded with. Recommendations vary from grapefruit juice, baby carrots, and Robitussin to primrose oil. Two of the most popular products designed specifically to increase cervical fluid production is FertileCM sold by Faireheight Health. Check this out there products in our Amazon store. If after trying some additional supplements and you still haven’t noticed a difference in your cervical fluid and are having difficulty conceiving, please see your doctor for additional treatment.
I just started my period, when do I need to start observing my cervical fluid?
Start observing your cervical fluid as soon as your period subsides, or by day six of your cycle, whichever comes first.
How do I observe cervical fluid?
Each time you go to the bathroom, check for cervical fluid and use folded toilet paper and wipe from front to back before and after urinating or having a bowel movement. If you observe any cervical fluid on the toilet paper, identify its characteristics by holding the tissue to eye level and touching it to evaluate the color and consistency. One of the easiest ways to evaluate the consistency is to touch it with your pointer finger then spread it between your pointer and thumb at eye level. See cervical fluid 101 for more information.
What is Cervical Fluid
Cervical fluid is fluid produced by your cervix and is completely natural, and nothing to shy away from talking about. It’s a normal, clean bodily fluid, like tears or saliva, and changes throughout your cycle to give you amazing insight into whether you are fertile or infertile. In fact, you have likely noticed cervical fluid since you were a teenager, but maybe just never really knew what it was or were taught what it meant.
Cervical fluid appears in response to the hormone estrogen. It helps make a woman fertile in three ways:
- It provides a swimming medium for sperm
- It provides nutrients for sperm to survive
- It helps sperm live for days in a woman’s cervix area while waiting for ovulation to occur
For more information see cervical fluid 101.
Miscellaneous
What if Ova Ova doesn’t detect ovulation?
Have you charted with Ova Ova for three or four cycles and are confident that you are doing a good job taking your temperatures consistently, but ovulation still isn’t detected? If so, it’s possible that something might be up: a fertility issue. All women experience a cycle now and then when they don’t ovulate; however, if this is occurs in three or four cycles in a row, we recommend consulting your OBGYN. The good news is that most ovulation problems can be overcome with medication, and having such detailed records of your cycles will provide your doctor valuable information that will help allow him or her to start diagnosing and addressing the issue.
Does the semen elimination technique get rid of the sperm needed to achieve a pregnancy?
We recommend the semen elimination technique for both women that are trying to get pregnant and for those that are avoiding pregnancy. Think about this – if all you ever had to do to avoid pregnancy was to go to the bathroom after sex, would the $4 billion dollar contraceptive business exist? The vast majority of sperm (keep in mind that 20 million sperm are included in each ejaculation) start swimming as soon as ejaculation occurs. Within 30 minutes all the sperm that are going to make it into your uterus have done so and you’re safe to perform the semen elimination technique. Since cervical fluid is such a key aspect of tracking your fertility, we highly recommend that after each sexual encounter (waiting 30 minutes first if you are trying to get pregnant) you perform this technique.