The reliability, acceptability and applications of basal body temperature (BBT) records in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility

Abstract

The possibilities and limitations of basal body temperature (BBT) records as an adjunct in the management of infertility were re-evaluated. To assess its accuracy as an index of ovulation, 172 charts were analyzed by three different physicians. While the average true positive rate was 90%, the false negative rate was only 2%. The remaining graphs (8%) were classified as non-interpretable, probably reflecting measurement problems. Retrospective assessment of 210 biphasic records showed the thermal nadir to occur within 1 day of the urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in 75% of the cases, and in 90% when 2 days where considered. This confirms BBT as a relatively accurate guide for retrospective identification of the periovulatory period. Moreover, results of a study conducted to investigate how patients experienced daily recording of BBT graphs suggest that the method is well accepted by a high proportion of women. From all these it appears that there are many indications where BBT graphs can still be applied. Development of new electronic devices may further improve the reliability, acceptability and applications of the BBT records in the fertility investigation. © 1992.