If a woman's temperature remains elevated after ovulation, what does this indicate?

A woman's temperature remaining elevated after ovulation is a classic indicator of possible pregnancy. This phenomenon is attributed to the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum, which is formed after the release of an egg during ovulation. Progesterone is responsible for raising the basal body temperature. If fertilization occurs, the temperature typically continues to remain elevated due to sustained progesterone levels from the developing placenta.

While increased temperatures can suggest other conditions, such as hormonal imbalances or insufficient ovulation, these are not definitive indicators of pregnancy as the consistent, elevated temperature post-ovulation is most closely associated with the early stages of a potential pregnancy. Therefore, observing this sustained elevation following ovulation is most commonly interpreted as a signal that the woman may be pregnant.