Benadryl and BBT

mdooley13

Happy Friday!

I have a very random question for you guys regarding taking Benadryl before bed and its effect on BBT.  For the last week or two my allergies have been nuts so I've been taking a Benadryl before bed to help me sleep and help my allergies.  My chart has been really off with several pretty low temperatures (even after I've had a positive OPK and EWCM and expected to O).  A chart stalk and any input regarding experiences/knowledge of Benadryl and its effect on temperatures would be greatly appreciated!

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flutepharm87

Wow, I actually had to do some extensive research to answer this question!

Short Answer: Yes, possibly. Benadryl may falsely lower BBT readings.

Long answer: I found a drug study that linked the cholinergic system to progesterone release from the ovaries. Benadryl is an anticholinergic, which means it blocks the cholinergic system. This study showed that when the cholinergic system is blocked, it decreases the release of progesterone from the ovaries. Due to the way Benadryl works, it would decrease the amount of progesterone your ovaries release. Since progesterone levels affect BBT, it's theoretically possible that your temp reading could be falsely lowered when taking it.

I couldn't find anything more definitive than that. I would mark it on your chart every night you take it. Hopefully that'll help you interpret it. HTH!

From your friendly, neighborhood pharmacist

mdooley13

Thank you ladies! I love pharmacist information and should have just asked my pharmacist husband to do a little more extensive research for me . He was just like, yeah, I mean it probably could haha

Snowflake312

I'm not a pharmacist, but I think that the simple answer is probably yes. It works in part as a sedative and is contained in most over the counter sleep aids, so it is no surprise that it would potentially affect your sleep cycle.