Can anyone make sense of my chart?

blsav23

This is my first month temping & I'm utterly confused about my chart. I am unmediated this cycle (except Metformin) & am beginning to think maybe I haven't ovulated yet?
Can anyone take a peek at my chart & let me know your thoughts? Thank you so much!
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/m/home.php/541d3c

BethKate2

Looking at your temps, it doesn't look like you've ovulated yet.

blsav23

Thanks! That's what I'm thinking too. My chart looks like a hot mess

DSculley1824

Are you taking your temps at the same time every day? The second you wake up? Unfortunately, the PPs said...I don't see that you ovulated yet

blsav23

Yes, I set my alarm for 5:45 every day bc that is when I get up for work. There have been a couple days where I've taken it an hour early bc I've woken up on my own. I leave my thermometer n my nightstand so I don't have to move at all to get it.
Also-does anyone know what effect low progesterone has on temps? I know this has been a problem for me in the past (prev loss from low levels).

BethKate2

blsav23 said:

Yes, I set my alarm for 5:45 every day bc that is when I get up for work. There have been a couple days where I've taken it an hour early bc I've woken up on my own. I leave my thermometer n my nightstand so I don't have to move at all to get it. Also-does anyone know what effect low progesterone has on temps? I know this has been a problem for me in the past (prev loss from low levels).

Your body produces progesterone after you O, which is why there's a temp shift. Progesterone is a "heat producing hormone" according to FF.  People with low progesterone tend to have lower or less consistent temps after O and will often have a short luteal phase and possibly a lot of spotting before CD 1.

meredithcarole

I'm going to be a slight contrarian here. I would watch the next 2 days. You did have a .4 spike today which is greater than any previous shift up. You could have possibly O'd yesterday, but you really won't know unless you continue to get temperature increases over the next 2 days (it's hard to gauge without any secondary data such as OPKs). For me if I vary my time taking my temp by an hour or so it doesn't seem to matter - some bodies are more susceptible to changes like that, though. How long have your cycles been recently?

* I will say that I am no expert on Metformin so I don't know if there is some additional factor I am not considering.

blsav23

meredithcarole said:

I'm going to be a slight contrarian here. I would watch the next 2 days. You did have a .4 spike today which is greater than any previous shift up. You could have possibly O'd yesterday, but you really won't know unless you continue to get temperature increases over the next 2 days (it's hard to gauge without any secondary data such as OPKs). For me if I vary my time taking my temp by an hour or so it doesn't seem to matter - some bodies are more susceptible to changes like that, though. How long have your cycles been recently?

* I will say that I am no expert on Metformin so I don't know if there is some additional factor I am not considering.

Thanks for the feedback! When I saw the spike this AM, I was a little concerned I O'd yesterday. We both had crazy weeks so BD kind of went to the wayside

blsav23

I'm going to be a slight contrarian here. I would watch the next 2 days. You did have a .4 spike today which is greater than any previous shift up. You could have possibly O'd yesterday, but you really won't know unless you continue to get temperature increases over the next 2 days (it's hard to gauge without any secondary data such as OPKs). For me if I vary my time taking my temp by an hour or so it doesn't seem to matter - some bodies are more susceptible to changes like that, though. How long have your cycles been recently?

* I will say that I am no expert on Metformin so I don't know if there is some additional factor I am not considering.

This stupid mobile keeps booting me out!  Anyhow, I plan to continue temping & see what happens.  My cycles are super long-like 10 months to a year.  I literally didn't have a period in 2013.  I just finished three rounds of medicated IUI cycles but had to take this month off as my RE was out of town.  I was kind of hoping the medication would have jump started my natural cycle but I am beginning to feel like it's a flailing effort.  

blsav23

LDubHawksFan said:

I don't see anything indicating O yet. Keep at it.

Thank you!  That's what I was thinking too but the spike this AM has me thrown a bit.  I am still trying to learn this temping thing so thanks for your input

blsav23

BethKate2 said:

blsav23 said:

Yes, I set my alarm for 5:45 every day bc that is when I get up for work. There have been a couple days where I've taken it an hour early bc I've woken up on my own. I leave my thermometer n my nightstand so I don't have to move at all to get it. Also-does anyone know what effect low progesterone has on temps? I know this has been a problem for me in the past (prev loss from low levels).

Your body produces progesterone after you O, which is why there's a temp shift. Progesterone is a "heat producing hormone" according to FF.  People with low progesterone tend to have lower or less consistent temps after O and will often have a short luteal phase and possibly a lot of spotting before CD 1.

Based on this info, I almost wondered if I O'd around CD 12-13 d/t the low temp shift after those days but then I came way back down.  Thank you very much for this useful info re:  that elusive hormone, progesterone

blsav23

LDubHawksFan said:

LDubHawksFan said:

I don't see anything indicating O yet. Keep at it.

Thank you!  That's what I was thinking too but the spike this AM has me thrown a bit.  I am still trying to learn this temping thing so thanks for your input

--quote fail-- @blsav23‌ I wouldn't consider today's temp a spike. It is in line with the previous temps and the one you are comparing it to is quote a bit lower than those before and an open circle. Remember, it is the overall pattern, not one temp. Are you using OPKs? Others may be able to weigh in, but I don't know if medicated cycles mess with OPK results, but ff works best with more info.

Yes--thank you for pointing this out.  Makes sense that one elevated temp does not indicate a "spike".  I used OPKs starting CD 9, as instructed, but after a week or so of the "flashing smiley", I ran out of sticks.  I read somewhere that w/PCOS, you can get indefinite "flashing smileys" due to constantly elevated estrogen levels.  I ordered a boat ton of wondfo OPKs off Amazon & they should be here this week.  

I see that I did have quite the spike this AM but I don't fully trust it.  It is an open circle because my sleep was so choppy this AM & the timing of the temp was off from when I normally take it.  I woke up around 3:40AM & had to use the bathroom so I took it then (before getting up). I fell back to sleep for about 3 hours (which I know is the time necessary to to take BBT) & when I retook it, it was about 98.53.  If this is the ovulation spike, it looks as if my O day would have been Friday which worries me a bit bc we didn't BD at the appropriate time.  All this work down the drain!  

blsav23

Also, I'm super crampy & have a horrible backache, much like AF is approaching.  That would be strange for just having O'd two days ago?

BethKate2

blsav23 said:

Also, I'm super crampy & have a horrible backache, much like AF is approaching.  That would be strange for just having O'd two days ago?

Those are completely normal symptoms for your luteal phase because of the elevated progesterone. I tend to be pretty crampy throughout most of my LP every cycle. Those symptoms with your higher temp today leads me to believe you might've ovulated within the last day or two. You'll have to see what your temps are like over the next few days, though.

blsav23

BethKate2 said:

blsav23 said:

Also, I'm super crampy & have a horrible backache, much like AF is approaching.  That would be strange for just having O'd two days ago?

Those are completely normal symptoms for your luteal phase because of the elevated progesterone. I tend to be pretty crampy throughout most of my LP every cycle. Those symptoms with your higher temp today leads me to believe you might've ovulated within the last day or two. You'll have to see what your temps are like over the next few days, though.

Ah, makes sense! Thanks

blsav23

blsav23 said:

BethKate2 said:

blsav23 said:

Also, I'm super crampy & have a horrible backache, much like AF is approaching.  That would be strange for just having O'd two days ago?

Those are completely normal symptoms for your luteal phase because of the elevated progesterone. I tend to be pretty crampy throughout most of my LP every cycle. Those symptoms with your higher temp today leads me to believe you might've ovulated within the last day or two. You'll have to see what your temps are like over the next few days, though.

Ah, makes sense! Thanks
This stupid thing boots me out! I've never had "normal" cycles, symptoms, etc to compare anything to. If I did O over the last couple days, we might be out due to lack of BD. Thanks for the feedback!

blsav23

blsav23 said:

blsav23 said:

Also, I'm super crampy & have a horrible backache, much like AF is approaching.  That would be strange for just having O'd two days ago?

Those are completely normal symptoms for your luteal phase because of the elevated progesterone. I tend to be pretty crampy throughout most of my LP every cycle. Those symptoms with your higher temp today leads me to believe you might've ovulated within the last day or two. You'll have to see what your temps are like over the next few days, though.

Ah, makes sense! Thanks

So, now I'm completely confused!  My temp took a big dip yesterday, then came up slightly today.  I think that "B" PCOS is messing with me again!  Also, I'm still feeling like crappy AF is on her way.  I almost wish she would show up so I could get on with my next medicated round!  Do you have any further thoughts based on my current chart?  Thanks again!