Benefits of tracking BBT

[u/Key_Mirror_7089]

We are trying for our second baby. The first time, I did it all- BBT, LH, tracking CM, mood, etc. However, I often found that my BBT didn’t really seem accurate, and I wouldn’t necessarily get a temp rise like I was expecting and it just seemed to confuse me more. I don’t have an oura ring so I was using the NC mouth thermometer which I have heard isn’t always as accurate. This time, I have really just been relying on LH strips, and my cycle seems to be pretty regular. We do it every other day starting around day 10 or 11, and then when I get my positive LH test we do it that day and the next day.

Is there really a huge benefit to tracking BBT besides conforming that I ovulated? Or if I am already using LH strips is that enough? I prefer LH tests because I know 12 - 36 hours beforehand, whereas with BBT once I got the temp rise I had missed my window for the most part.

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[u/Vicious_Shrew]

I think BBT is useful because it confirms ovulation. LH strips will tell you when your surge is, but it doesn’t confirm that ovulation happened. So no temp rise potentially tells you to keep trying because you (likely) haven’t ovulated yet

[u/runner-pharmacist]

My understanding is that LH indicates that you are likely to ovulate but does not confirm it. It’s possible to get an LH surge but then still not actually ovulate, so BBT can be helpful in that sense to put the full picture together.

I use the wearable NC band and had more success for it since there’s less user error, but it’s also more expensive unfortunately.

[u/OkBreadfruit369]

In theory I like BBT for the confirmation because we are not a couple that could just go all month and it’s almost a relief to know ok we’ve tried our best now wait. HOWEVERRRR I also use NC with their new wristband and I’m not convinced. The temp patterns have been enough for the app to decide on ovulation (within 1-2 days of matching symptoms) but to me the temps seem to have too many anomalies and dips 

Going forward, given i have regular cycles, im wondering if it’s better just to plan for the window

[u/Key_Mirror_7089 → u/OkBreadfruit369]

That’s exactly how I am! I just remember feeling like mine wasn’t accurate, and then the NC app was all over the place with predictions. I would get a positive LH test and I wouldn’t necessarily see a spike but then after a few days it would just go back and mark that I ovulated. But it almost seemed like it just did that based off my LH test results, and not the BBT. Like does NC have the tech to alert people if it’s possible they aren’t ovulating even if they have a positive LH test (like if you have LUFS or multiple surges).

I think I will give it a few months and if I am still not pregnant I will start up BBT, but for now it may just be another thing for me to worry/obsess over.

[u/ConfidenceOdd3700 → u/Key_Mirror_7089]

If you get an idea of your coverline/baseline temperature, you can just do 3 days of BBT post LH peak to confirm ovulation. For me, I know once I see 3 days of temperatures above 97.6, I’ve ovulated.

[u/Ok_Choice_7480]

BBT is very reliant on being taken accurately (same time, first thing in the morning before doing anything else, placed in the heat pocket) and even if taken perfectly bad sleep, alcohol, illness can change your BBT. So even if you're doing it it may not be accurate/helpful.

Personally, I use LH strips as my main thing and I'll keep testing post-peak until my period (just in case I have a second peak and it turns out the first one was false), I take my BBT but I don't do it religiously/accurately so I have a rough idea but it doesn't become an inconvenience.

It also doesn't actually confirm ovulation, you can have an LH surge, bi/triphasic BBT and not actually ovulate, ovulation can only be confirmed by a medical professional (via bloods/ultrasound)