What is the sympto-thermal method?

The sympto-thermal method is a method of natural family planning (NFP). It helps to understand where exactly you are in your cycle, that is to say if you can get pregnant or not. To do this, we observe different indicators of fertility, such as core body temperature and cervical mucus. Certain calculation rules help to interpret these fertility indicators and to reliably assess the cycle.

The fact that cervical mucus and the central temperature are evaluated allows to have a "double control". It is thus possible to distinguish fertile days from non-fertile days with much more precision. The rules for calculating the sympto-thermal method have been studied and defined by several studies (see the studies of Freundl G, Frank-Hermann P, Gnoth C et al.)

Who is the sympto-thermal method for?

  • The sympto-thermal method is ideal for everyone: women who are breastfeeding, women who work in a team, women who have cycles irregular, women who want to have a child, women who want to get to know themselves and their bodies better, and women of all ages.

How does the sympto-thermal method work?

The sympto-thermal method is based on the interaction of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH in the body:

Before l'ovulation, your body is busy maturing several follicles. It's the hormone FSH that takes care of that. All of these growing vesicles produce estrogen. The hormone estrogen influences the cervical mucus - the closer ovulation is, the more stringy and transparent the cervical mucus becomes. The LH hormone becomes active and triggers ovulation: among the mature follicles, the best, the most beautiful and the most developed bursts and sends its egg on a journey. While the egg is on its way, the ovarian follicle is retiring. It transforms into the corpus luteum and produces progesterone. This hormone causes a characteristic increase in body temperature - this higher temperature persists until the next menstruation and the start of a new cycle.

Changes in cervical mucus and core body temperature are used by the symptothermal method to assess your cycle and distinguish fertile days from infertile days. An increase in core body temperature is a sign that ovulation has taken place and you are no longer fertile. Cervical mucus - the clearer, stringier and more transparent it becomes - is a sign that ovulation is near and that you are fertile. After ovulation, when the cervical mucus becomes thick, lumpy or completely disappears, it is a sign that ovulation has taken place and you are no longer fertile.

How to use the sympto-thermal method?

Every morning, before getting up, take your temperature either orally or vaginally and write it down. During the day, you observe your cervical mucus and you note its texture in the evening. Every evening, you compare the temperature values and the quality of the cervical mucus to find out if your ovulation has already taken place or if you are still preparing for it.

You can read below how trackle makes this method simple, safe and practical for you every day!

You must follow these rules

According to the rules of the sympto-thermal method, l'ovulation takes place when these two conditions are met:

1) A bit of cervical mucus occurred, i.e. very good quality cervical mucus (particularly clear, sticky and pullable) followed by three days of significantly lower quality cervical mucus.

2) A rise in temperature has occurred, that is, the temperature has been higher for at least three consecutive days than for the previous six days. The third temperature rise must be at least 0.2°C higher than the previous six days.

The infertile days before ovulation are a bit more complicated. Cervical mucus plays an important role here: it serves as a sign of the onset of fertility. Furthermore, the last cycles are analyzed and the earliest ovulation date is calculated based on the temperature increase. Once again, the sympto-thermal method uses a "double check" to assess your cycle safely.

What are the disturbing factors that can influence the basal temperature?

  • Disturbing factors cause an increase in basal temperature without ovulation having already occurred. Very important: each of us is different and reacts differently to stress etc. You can recognize a "disturbed" temperature value by the fact that your temperature suddenly rises for one or two days and then drops again.

  • Frequent disturbing factors that influence basal body temperature in many women are:
    - drug use
    - unusual alcohol consumption
    - short/disturbed night's rest
    - the stress
    - Time change
    - cold or illness.

  • Advantages of the sympto-thermal method

    Observing bodily symptoms, of which temperature is one, has been proven to work. It is not at all invasive, is very relevant and helps women to better know their body and its functions and to take decisions with full responsibility. The sympto-thermal method helps you calculate your fertile days and always uses a "double check".

  • Disadvantages of the sympto-thermal method

    The interplay between the different hormones is a miracle, but it's not a machine either. The most diverse things can unbalance the system. And isn't your daily life busy? And besides, measuring, knowing and feeling what your body is doing is not so simple to implement. That is why mistakes are easily made when carrying out the sympto-thermal method, especially when measurements are taken punctually, that is, only in the morning, and the data is entered or noted at the hand.

  • Reliability of the sympto-thermal method

    The sympto-thermal method has been very well studied for many years and its reliability in determining fertile days has been proven by several studies.

trackle facilitates the sympto-thermal method

The sympto-thermal method, on which trackle is based, combines your core body temperature measured during the night with your indications on the cervical mucus. It's very simple - and essential for safety.
Because in order to be able to reliably say when ovulation has taken place and what the current state of the cycle, temperature values must be measured correctly, transmitted correctly and combined correctly with other bodily observations. The trackle system takes care of this for you:

trackle only uses the core body temperature inside your body - the so-called surface temperature, for example at the wrist, is too easily influenced. trackle measures while you sleep. trackle automatically transmits your temperature data - no more errors when entering curves, tables and apps. trackle calculates your cycle according to the standards of symptothermal methodology - well studied and reliable.

  • More accurately measure core body temperature

    The trackle sensor use a high-precision thermometer that captures and records your body's core temperature to the nearest hundredth. It therefore complies with the requirements of the symptothermal method - and not the slightest temperature difference escapes him.

  • Just by sleeping

    The classic morning measurement is difficult: it requires a lot of discipline and a regular rhythm of life to be really reliable. That's why measuring during sleep makes your life easier: no matter what time you get up, what time you sleep, if you're disturbed during the night or if you've been partying longer the evening: By measuring your basal temperature while you sleep, the lowest value will be detected in any case. It's certain.

  • trackle does the work for you

    Calculate, count, respect the rules, enter the values: yes, you have to do this for the results to be correct. But you don't have to do it yourself, do you? This is what the smart trackle system. It transfers your data and calculates everything necessary to obtain a reliable result.