Preconception

Simple Question, Mw and my wife were wondering if trying to keep tract of her basal body temperature is still useful while she is still on birth control.(The Pill) Or does the pill stop the body temperature fluctuations caused by ovulation.

[carolyn55806]

Sorry about that last message. I was saying why does your wife need to chart her temps if she's on birth control? Anyhoo, my husband is a nurse and he says that, contrary to popular belief, birth control does NOT stop ovulation....it only stops the fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. I'm assuming then that there could be SOME changes in temps, but I don't know the details.

[carolyn55806]

it does...good luck to you!

[Frenchy911]

In reponse to your questions why my wife is monitoring her basal temperature if she is on BC.. The reason is she has RA and is on meds, but as soon as we are given the go ahead after she stops the meds, it would be easier on her to conceive quickly because the change in her hormones usually put women with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis)in remission. And it would easier for her to conceive if we have some ideal of when she ovulates...  Therfore less time spent trying to conceive less pain due to arthrities my wife will have to endure.

Hope that clears it up a bit
Frenchy911

[Christie2004]

BCP's DO prevent ovulation.  In the rare case where ovulation might occur (and it can happen occasionally) the uterine lining is also inhospitable to the fertilized egg implanting.

But the main mechanism by which most birth control pills work is by inhibiting ovulation.

Here's another explaination I found after a simple and quick search:
"Birth control pills fool the body into acting as if it's pregnant. Birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives (OCs), come in two forms: the combined OC, a combination of two synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin; and, the minipill, which consists solely of progestin. Combined OCs are more commonly used, though both kinds are available through health care providers. The combination pill prevents ovulation by suppressing the natural hormones in the body that would stimulate the ovary to release an egg. By taking this estrogen throughout the month, you insure that no egg will be developed or released for that cycle. Progestin thickens the cervical mucus, hindering the movement of sperm. Progestin also prevents the uterus's lining from developing normally; so, if an egg were fertilized, implantation is unlikely".