Your Free Fertility Calendar and
Your Luteal Phase

Your free fertility calendar is important in charting the luteal phase, as there is valuable data to be found in this important warm half of the cycle. We are looking for 3 important temperature characteristics in the luteal phase chart.

First, we are looking for continuous high temperatures from ovulation to the end of the cycle. Second, we want the luteal phase to be a minimum of 12 days long. Third, we don't want any major fluctuations in temperature once ovulation has occurred.

To see an overview of definitions for the TCM and fertility terms used, please visit the TCM and Fertility definition page.

Warmth, warmth and more warmth! In Chinese medicine, the common reason for infertility is cold womb. Therefore, many acupuncturists recommend keeping the body warm to support conception, especially during the luteal phase. This is a good time for warm cups of herbal tea and hot stone massages.

Cervical mucus should be white and thick throughout the luteal phase. This thicker mucus is produced within the cervix immediately after ovulation to prevent any bacteria from entering the cervix and possibly harming a fertilized egg. When pregnancy occurs, this same cervical mucus continues to plug the cervix and protect the developing fetus from infectious microbes throughout pregnancy. This is the mucus plug that is ejected when a woman's water breaks prior to labor.

The luteal phase is where everything comes together and we either have a successful pregnancy or just another menstrual period. The corpus luteum determines the strength of the luteal phase and in Chinese medicine this is the yang phase of the cycle. Ovulation is where the movement of the egg occurred and the luteal phase is where the yang characteristic of warmth is essential to a successful implantation taking place.

Once the follicular phase is steady with little temperature fluctuation, the likelihood of a high, stable luteal phase is improved. Constant, high temperatures are necessary in the luteal phase to insure successful implantation. A strong foundation of yin formed in the follicular phase bolsters a healthy development of yang in the luteal phase and often this is the key to unstable or short luteal phases.