What happens to a woman's basal body temperature (BBT) prior to ovulation?

In the menstrual cycle, prior to ovulation, a woman's basal body temperature typically does not lower; rather, it tends to remain relatively stable or even slightly decrease before experiencing a notable rise post-ovulation. The follicular phase leading up to ovulation is characterized by lower levels of progesterone, which is largely responsible for regulating BBT. As the body prepares to ovulate, some women may experience a slight dip in temperature just before it rises sharply due to the release of progesterone after ovulation occurs. This initial decrease followed by a significant rise is a critical part of tracking fertility and understanding the menstrual cycle. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the typical behavior of BBT before ovulation, indicating that the temperature may slightly decrease or stabilize but is not characterized by a consistent rise until after ovulation occurs.