BBT and stress

Hi, I started charting my BBT but it didn't quite work for me because it was all over the place. . .Besides I am clear of when I ovulate without taking my BBT so therefore is taking your BBT necessary when you know when you ovulate. . .?
Also,  How much does stress influence fertility?
HomieY

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I personally hate BBTs--because they are always like that!  I like ovulation predictors much better!  They are more expensive though.  Also, if your BBTs are all over the place it could mean that you are not ovulating.  If your periods are irregular that is pretty likely.
Don't waste a lot more than 2-3 months trying to sort things out--I've seen people with 2-3 years worth of BBTs and no baby.  One other way to tell about ovulation (which is the most accurate) is to check a progesterone level on Cycle Day 21.  I personally like to check an FSH, TSH and Prolactin level on CD 3, then I check a progesterone level on CD 21.  I have my patients do ovulation predictors on days 11-16 ( by the way, those are your most fertile days).  I also tell them to "do their homework" on those days--every day if possible.  If it appears that they are ovulating, I will do an ultrasound on CD 12.  If they are NOT ovulating, I start them on Femara or Metformin or both, depending upon what I think is causing the problem.
Hope this is helpful!
Dr B

[homiey]

Thank you for the info.  I think I am on a 38-45 day cycle depending on stress.  Is that regular?  Also, even if my cycles are so spread out, does that mean still that the best days are 11-16?  

What are other ways to tell if you are ovulating?  without having to go to lengthy measures?  Is there a way to tell that you are ovulating just by increased desire to have sex?  

Sincerely,
homiey