What is the difference between a basal thermometer and a regular thermometer?
Basal Temperature
A basal thermometer is an ultra sensitive thermometer that tracks your body's minutest temperature shift or basal temperature. Basal Temperature is the normal body temperature of a healthy person immediately upon awakening in the morning. This temperature normally rises after ovulation due to hormonal changes. Thus, a temperature increase near the middle of your menstrual cycle can indicate ovulation has occurred.
Basal Thermometer
A basal thermometer is often used by women to chart their basal body temperature chart and hence predict their fertile period or ovulation. There are various kinds of basal body thermometers available but a digital basal thermometer is your best bet. Each basal thermometer kit comes with a blank basal body temperature graph that you can use.
This method relies on precise recording of your body's resting temperature. For this method to be accurate, temps must be taken first thing in the morning, and at the same time each morning. During the first two weeks of your cycle, your body temperature is lower (96.0 to 97.5 F). With ovulation, a rise in body temperature takes place - caused by an increase of the hormone progesterone - in order to provide a warmer, more fertile environment. A minimum temperature rise of 0.4 to 0.6 degrees F can be measured by a basal thermometer. By monitoring when this temperature change takes place, you can determine when ovulation takes place in your cycle.
Basal Thermometer vs. Regular Thermometer
A basal thermometer is different from a regular fever thermometer which measures temperatures in degrees. A basal thermometer measures temperatures by 10th's of a degree whereas most fever thermometers measure in two-tenth degree increments.
A basal thermometer is more reliable and accurate than a simple glass thermometer since glass thermometers are only accurate to .2 degrees Fahrenheit. You really need it to be accurate to .1 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another advantage of the digital basal thermometer over a fever measuring body thermometer is speed. The basal body digital thermometer is more accurate than a fever based thermometer, and it only takes 30-60 seconds.
In addition, a digital basal thermometer is harder to break and remembers the temperature for you if you don't want to chart it immediately.
Here are some tips to help use your basal thermometer effectively for optimum accuracy:
- Use your basal thermometer first thing in the morning before you get out of bed.
- Try to take the temperature at as close to the same time each day as possible.
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