It was the tool I needed to feel some control while trying to conceive, and now it’s my preferred birth control.
I had no idea what basal body temping (BBT) was until I was about 5 months into trying to get pregnant.
I was searching online forums for any clues and tricks to help me conceive and saw it being touted as a must-use tool for conception.
What I later found was not only were these parents to be correct, but it was also the tool for unlocking a life free from ever using hormonal birth control again.
“Basal body temperature” is the term used to describe your at-rest temperature. This temperature goes up slightly when you’re ovulating. By keeping track of your monthly temperature trends, you can locate any patterns and predict when you’re likely ovulating.
Using BBT (alone or with other indicators like cervical mucus, if you choose) can help you plan when to have sex to give yourself the best chance to conceive.
While I was trying to conceive, I’d take my oral temperature every morning before I got out of bed. My alarm clock would go off, and basically, while still in sleep mode, I’d reach over to my nightstand for my thermometer and pop it in my mouth.
After waiting for the beeps signaling it was done, I’d record that temperature and graph it using a phone app. The key to accurate temperature readings is to take them before you get out of bed and at the same time every day.
Apps for fertility tracking
The app that I used over 4 years of trying to conceive is called Fertility Friend.
I started using it way before it was an app — it was just a website at the time — but by the time my fourth child came around, the app was a huge benefit. The app helps graph your temperature, predicts when you may ovulate, and provides helpful reference material for understanding BBT.
Two other highly recommended apps are Clue and Ovia Health. These can also track your cycles, temperatures, and other data that could be indicators of fertility (like sexual mood and cervical mucus).
Temperature tracking sounds like a lot of work and can be inconvenient while you’re getting used to it. But I found that the more I recorded my temperature, the easier it became — adding this step to my morning routine wasn’t a big deal.
And the best benefit of it all is that it worked! Using BBT helped me conceive after a few months of tracking my temperatures and seeing my pattern unfold. I was able to time when ovulation would happen, and I had a gorgeous baby 10 months later.
BBT is a great option if you don’t like or can’t use hormonal methods of birth control.
After my baby was born, my partner and I discussed when we wanted to have another child. We had to take into consideration the struggles we had conceiving and my previous history with hormonal birth control — and the dangers it can pose to my body.
I have a disorder called Factor V Leiden that increases my risk of developing blood clots. As a result, I’m unable to use hormonal birth control that contains synthetic estrogen, including the combination pill, patch, and vaginal ring.
We knew we didn’t want to wait too long to have another baby, so going with a long-term method like the implant or IUD didn’t seem like a good fit either.
I decided to stick with BBT — after all, BBT told me all I needed to know about how to get pregnant, and thus also told me what I needed to know to avoid pregnancy, too.
Because of the potential for human error, BBT and other fertility awareness methods are one of the least reliable methods for birth control. It also doesn’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections.
I’m lucky because my menstrual cycles are regular, so it makes BBT for pregnancy and pregnancy avoidance clear. But if your cycle is irregular or unpredictable, it can be harder to see the pattern you need to follow to help prevent pregnancy.
Combining BBT tracking with other elements, like tracking your menstrual periods and vaginal discharge, can make it more effective for birth control.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1 to 5 people out of every 100 who use fertility awareness methods correctly and consistently for contraception become pregnant within the first year.
With incorrect and inconsistent use, 12 to 24 people out of every 100 who rely on fertility awareness methods for contraception become pregnant within the first year.
Choosing the right birth control for you should come with a lot of research and, ideally, a conversation with a healthcare professional. This method worked for me, but it might not be for everyone.
That said, learning more about your menstrual cycle can be empowering and help you better understand your body, whether you use BBT for birth control, pregnancy planning, or just to understand your fertility.
Devan McGuinness is a parenting writer and recipient of several awards through her work with UnspokenGrief.com. She focuses on helping others through the hardest and best times in parenthood. Devan lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and four children.