Tempdrop & BBT Tracking: An Easy Way to Get Accurate Basal Body Temperature for Fertility Awareness
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) tracking is a powerful tool for fertility awareness, helping you confirm ovulation and understand your cycle. However not all BBT measurement methods are created equal.
Updated April 14, 2025.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) tracking is a powerful tool for fertility awareness, helping you confirm ovulation and understand your cycle. However not all BBT measurement methods are created equal.
Should you use an oral thermometer? A vaginal sensor? A wrist-worn fertility tracker? And how does Tempdrop’s axillary temperature sensor provide more accurate results than other methods?
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- How BBT tracking works for fertility.
- The differences between oral, vaginal, wrist, and axillary temperature tracking.
- Why Tempdrop’s wearable BBT sensor offers the most reliable solution.
Supporting You on Your Fertility Journey
Tracking your BBT with Tempdrop can help you gain a deeper understanding of your fertility.
What Is Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and Why Track It?
BBT is your body's lowest resting temperature, usually taken after sleep. This core temperature shift is directly linked to hormonal changes, particularly progesterone, which rises after ovulation.
Why Does BBT Tracking Matter?
Tracking BBT is one of the best ways to:
- Confirm ovulation and pinpoint your fertile window
- Track hormonal balance and menstrual health
- Improve conception chances or use a fertility awareness method for family planning purposes
But to get accurate BBT readings, you need a simple way to reflect true core body temperature. That’s where Tempdrop stands out!
Comparing BBT Tracking Methods: Which One Is Best?
| BBT Tracking Method | How it Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Thermometer | Placed under the tongue upon waking | Low-cost, widely used | Can be impacted by inconsistent wake times, mouth breathing, poor sleep schedule |
| Vaginal Thermometer | Inserted internally upon waking. | More stable than oral BBT. | Invasive, requires strict consistency and regular wake times |
| Wrist or Skin-Worn Sensors | Measures skin temperature on wrist/arm/finger | Convenient, passive tracking | Easily affected by environment, movement, and sleep position, often doesn’t capture a true BBT |
| Tempdrop (Axillary Sensor) | Worn over the axillary artery (underarm area) | More stable, reflects core-like BBT, filters out disturbances | Requires consistent overnight wear |
The key takeaway: Wrist-worn trackers measure skin temperature, which fluctuates too much to provide reliable BBT data. Tempdrop is worn under the arm, where temperature is more stable and better reflects internal changes.
Why Tempdrop Uses the Axillary Artery (Not Just Skin Temperature)
One major misconception is that BBT can be measured accurately from any skin temperature sensor. Some fertility wearables use wrist or arm temperature, but these are not true BBT readings.
What Makes the Axillary Artery the Best Location for BBT Tracking?
- Near the body’s core: The axillary artery (underarm area) is close to core circulation, making it more reliable than wrist temperature.
- Less affected by external factors: Wrist and skin temperature can change due to air conditioning, blankets, and movement. Axillary temperature is more stable.
- Continuous overnight tracking: Tempdrop collects thousands of data points while you sleep and filters out disturbances like night wakings or shifting positions.
Other fertility wearables measure skin temperature, but Tempdrop is specifically designed to track BBT via the axillary artery, providing the most accurate, cycle-relevant temperature readings.
Final Thoughts: Tempdrop vs. Other BBT Tracking Methods
Unlike traditional BBT tracking methods that rely on a single waking temperature, Tempdrop continuously monitors body temperature throughout the night, capturing thousands of data points. This allows it to identify your true BBT, rather than a reading that may be influenced by external factors like mouth breathing or restless sleep.
Tempdrop readings may be lower than traditional oral or vaginal results as it’s a different measurement type, however, its results can be used to identify ovulation reliably.
Here's what makes Tempdrop Unique
- Continuous Tracking: Tempdrop measures temperature throughout sleep, accounting for fluctuations that a single morning measurement can’t capture.
- Smart Filtering: It detects body movements, wake periods, and sleep duration to ensure your temperature reading reflects your most restful state.
- Environmental Temperature Adjustment: A built-in external sensor monitors surrounding temperatures to prevent room conditions from distorting your data.
- Advanced Algorithm: Tempdrop’s proprietary algorithm filters out disturbances and calculates your most stable temperature for accurate BBT tracking.
By combining continuous monitoring, environmental adjustments, and smart algorithms, Tempdrop delivers precise BBT readings that work with your body—not against it.
References:
- Fulbrook P (1993) Core temperature measurement in adults: a literature review. J Adv Nurs 18(9):1451–1460.
- Maarten van Vliet & J. Peter Donnelly & Carin M. J. Potting & Nicole M. A. Blijlevens. Continuous non-invasive monitoring of the skin temperature of HSCT recipients. Support Care Cancer (2010) 18:37–42
- Rubia-Rubia J. et.al. Measurement of body temperature in adult patients: Comparative study of accuracy, reliability and validity of different devices. Int J Nurs Stud 48 (2011) 872-80
