The Role Progesterone Plays In Natural Family Planning
Keeping track of the basal body temperature (BBT) is one technique used by women who practice natural family planning methods. The temperature is taken first thing in the morning. A drop in temperature will occur one day prior to ovulation while a rise in temperature is noted the day after ovulation. A shift in progesterone levels can account for this temperature swing. A woman who conceives will note that the temperature remains elevated after ovulation. If she is not pregnant, the temperature goes down and she begins to menstruate. This method is not always reliable because there are some cases when BBT goes up before ovulation.