The effect of endogenous progesterone on basal body temperature in stimulated ovarian cycles
Abstract
Whilst it is well recognized that progesterone is involved in the elevation of body temperature following ovulation, the mechanism for this process has not been determined. In this study 87 patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization recorded their basal body temperature during one treatment cycle. Exogenous gonadotrophin therapy administered to induce multiple folliculogenesis considerably elevated periovulatory oestrogen levels and early luteal phase progesterone. Body temperature rapidly rose to plateau 48 h after follicular aspiration in all patients. The amplitude of the temperature rise was independent of the progesterone concentration and the type of hormonal stimulation. There was no correlation between the degree of elevation of progesterone and the amplitude of the rise in body temperature over the first 4 days of the luteal phase. It is postulated that serum progesterone levels do not directly control body temperature, but that an oestrogen-progesterone synergism may be involved.
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The increase in body temperature has been attributed to the thermogenic effect of progesterone.
“The increase in body temperature has been attributed to the thermogenic effect of progesterone”
From Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle (2020) · cites this paper as [61]
Core body temperature reaches a plateau within 48 h after the rise.
“reaching a plateau within 48 h [61]”
From Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle (2020) · cites this paper as [61]
Forman et al. found that the mean temperature rise was almost identical over each of the first 4 days in patients treated with human menopausal gonadotropin therapy compared with patients treated with other forms of follicular stimulation despite progesterone levels being 2-4 times higher in the former group.
“Forman and colleagues [61],found that the mean temperature rise (oral waking temperature) was almost identical over each of the first 4 days in patients treated with human menopausal gonadotropin therapy compared with patients treated with other forms of follicular stimulation despite progesterone levels being 2–4 times higher in the former group.”
From Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle (2020) · cites this paper as [61]
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Influential
- Authors
- Forman, R. G., Chapman, M. C., & Steptoe, P. C.
- Affiliations
- Bourn Hall Clinic (GB)
- Guy's Hospital (GB)
- Venue
- Human Reproduction
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 1987-11
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 631-634
- ISSN
- 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2350
- OpenAlex
- W1952379275
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Keywords
- progesterone, basal body temperature, luteal phase, ovulation, in vitro fertilization, gonadotropin stimulation, follicular aspiration
- MeSH terms
- Body Temperature, Body Temperature Regulation, Clomiphene, Female, Fertility Agents, Female, Fertilization in Vitro, Chorionic Gonadotropin, Humans, Menotropins, Menstrual Cycle, Progesterone, Tamoxifen
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