How to Chart Your Cycle for Natural Family Planning

If you practice natural family planning and chart your basal body temperature (BBT) upon waking every morning, you may notice a dip in temperature the day before ovulation and a rise of about 4/10 of a degree Fahrenheit the day after ovulation, caused by upward surge of progesterone. However, temperature can increase a day or two before ovulation too. This is why you can't depend on BBT as a reliable form of birth control. This temperature remains elevated if you are pregnant, and will drop just before menstruation begins if you're not.

The luteal phase begins the second half of your cycle (and fourth phase). Once the egg has left your ovary, the pituitary begins to secrete increased quantities of luteotropic hormone (LTH). LTH acts on the egg's remains left in your ovary (called the ruptured egg follicle) and converts it into the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum, Latin for yellow body, begins to produce more progesterone and slightly less estrogen. Progesterone is like a nanny who keeps your uterus spongy and ready for baby to appear.

Even though estrogen is the boss during the first half of your cycle, and progesterone during the second, it's not an all-or-nothing situation. Estrogen levels are still relatively high after ovulation. In fact, both of these hormones are vital to keep a pregnancy going. Estrogen takes care of your womb by enhancing uterine muscles, making sure there's lots of blood and preparing your breasts for nursing. Progesterone, on the other hand, relaxes your womb so you don't go into labor prematurely. It also calms your bowels and stomach so you absorb more nutrients, important for a growing fetus.

These two hormones work in opposite but cooperative ways. It's like the perfect partnership where each member knows her place and picks up where the other leaves off.

These higher progesterone levels inhibit pituitary production of LTH. As LTH falls off, the corpus luteum breaks down. Without sufficient amounts of progesterone to maintain the uterine lining, the corpus luteum (now called corpus albicans or white body) dries up and stops making hormones. The egg joins the soon-to-be menstrual fluids in your uterus. Then, your menstrual cycle occurs all over again.

Understanding the menstrual cycle helps understand when you have your symptoms.

Health care professionals have used natural progesterone cream since 1950's to help relieve the symptoms of menopause, hormone balance, bone support and PMS. It is a natural solution for women and an alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapy, (HRT).

Please note that there can be other causes. This is for education only. It is not intended to treat, prevent or cure a medical disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health care professional.