How can we determine if I am releasing my eggs (ovulating)?

Abstract:

Basal body temperature recordings are extensively used to diagnose and treat infertility, but too great an emphasis on the interpretation of these charts might be counter-productive in managing these patients. Several gynaecologists who use temperature charts clinically were asked to score 60 charts taken from a selection of normal and infertile women, and their results were compared with those obtained by a group of non-experts. Since the full hormonal profiles had been obtained for each of the 60 charts the accuracy of the predictions could be assessed. About 80% of the temperature charts were correctly interpreted by both groups as being either ovulatory or anovulatory but the day of ovulation was predicted correctly for only about 34% of the charts. When the charts were examined retrospectively the thermal nadir was found to coincide with the luteinising hormone surge in 43% of the charts from normal subjects but in only 25% of those from the infertile patients. Predicting the day of ovulation from the temperature recording, particularly in infertile women, is clearly unjustified.

Please click on the required question.

• 1 What is infertility?
• 2 How prevalent are infertility problems?
• 3 What are the main causes of infertility?
• 4 What are the objectives of our infertility investigations?
• 5 Have there been any noticeable changes in fertility requirements in recent years?
• 6  What is the effect of our age on fertility?
• 7 I smoke cigarettes. Can this have an effect on my fertility?
• 8 Does my weight influence fertility?
• 8A Obesity! How can I lose weight?
• 9 I have fibroids. Could these reduce my fertility?
• 10 I have been told that my womb has an abnormal shape and that was the way that I was born. Could this reduce my fertility?
• 11 I have endometriosis. Could this reduce my fertility?
• 12 I have been told that I have cervicitis or a cervical ectopy (erosion). Could this impair my fertility?
• 13 My doctor tells me that my womb is retroverted (tilts backwards). Could this reduce my fertility?
• 14 I have had an ectopic pregnancy. Does this affect my future fertility?
• 15  We are worried that we may have a fertility problem. What should we do?
• 16 How will our doctor be able to identify the cause of our infertility?
• 17 How can we tell if I am releasing my eggs (ovulating)?
• 18 Investigations have shown that I have a problem releasing my eggs (anovulation). What could be the cause of this?
• 19 How important are my Fallopian tubes in fertility?
• 20 How can we tell if my Fallopian tubes are functioning?
• 21a What are the causes of male factor infertility?
• 21 How can we assess male fertility?
• 22  What is the purpose of a post-coital test (PCT)?
• 23 We have had our infertility investigations and our problem remains unexplained. How can this be?
• 24 What are our chances of achieving a pregnancy?
• 25 Where can I obtain more information?
• 26 Could we have some recommended infertility support groups?
  

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.