Did you know that the cough medicine in your medicine cabinet could be the key to increasing your fertility? Can this actually be true?
Why do people take Mucinex for fertility?
Some people believe that Mucinex can thin cervical mucus similar to the way it thins the mucus that causes respiratory congestion. By doing so, it could then enhance fertility and improve a woman’s chances of conceiving. Does it really work? Not likely.
Now that I’ve got your attention, here’s everything to know about how Mucinex and fertility are and are not related.
Mucinex for Fertility – What To Know
The Mucinex pregnancy hack recently came back to life from a viral TikTok trend.
After a popular TikToker, Julia Schuller, claimed Mucinex helped her become more fertile and conceive, women on the internet began believing that Mucinex could possibly boost their fertility as well.
Why Mucinex?
Mucinex is an expectorant that works by thinning the mucus that lines your lungs and throat. By doing so, it relieves congestion and cough.
In theory, Mucinex could help thin cervical mucus, making it more slippery, which would allow improved sperm transport and increase the chances of fertilization.
However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that Mucinex affects cervical mucus, and even if it did, there are more parts to the equation for fertility.
Does Mucinex Help With Fertility?
While Julia Schuller believes Mucinex was her saving grace, you should not get your hopes up too much.
Since the trend came to light, fertility specialists have said that there is no evidence to support the claim that Mucinex can help you conceive.
Can Mucinex Help You Get Pregnant?
You should not rely on Mucinex to help you get pregnant or improve your fertility. There is no scientific evidence to prove that Mucinex affects fertility in any way.
Guaifenesin Fertility Success
The Mucinex “hack” did not appear first on TikTok. In fact, it stems from a study done over 40 years ago involving 40 couples struggling with infertility.
Each woman was given guaifenesin, which is one of the active ingredients in Mucinex, three times a day from day five of the start of her period until she began showing indications of ovulation.
Doctors then tested how well their partner’s sperm responded to their cervical mucus. Two-thirds of them showed signs of improvement and became pregnant.
There was another case in 2011 that showed guaifenesin increased sperm count and motility in a 32-year-old man who took 600 mg twice daily for two months.
It is important to keep in mind that the proven success rate of using Mucinex to increase fertility is very low and is not backed up by any scientific data.
The study conducted 40 years ago was the only one of its kind, and it was small and methodologically flawed.
It is still difficult to determine if it was the Mucinex that affected fertility in these cases or if there were other factors at play.
Do Doctors Recommend Taking Mucinex for Fertility?
I’ve yet to meet or hear of a doctor who would recommend taking a cough suppressant to help you conceive.
Instead, they will recommend eating well, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, tracking ovulation, and pursuing fertility treatments if necessary.
Is It Safe To Try?
You should always consult your doctor before trying any fertility enhancement plan, including taking Mucinex.
Mucinex is an over-the-counter drug, and if used improperly, it could have negative side effects.
A doctor can also tell you if Mucinex is even safe to take during pregnancy.
If you use the pregnancy “hack,” it is possible that you could conceive without knowing, and continuing to take Mucinex could be harmful to the fetus.
When To Take Mucinex To Get Pregnant
According to the TikTok trend, you should take Mucinex while you are trying to conceive in order to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
If you are relying on the information from the guaifenesin study, you would begin taking Mucinex starting on day 5 of the start of your period until you begin to ovulate.
Again, nothing is proven, but to each their own!
Dosage
You should consult a medical provider for a proper dosage to use. Just like any other medicine, Mucinex has side effects, and taking too much could be dangerous.
How To Boost Fertility Naturally
There are plenty of natural ways to increase your fertility and improve your chances of getting pregnant.
These ways are much more tried and true than chugging Mucinex every day.
Eat Well
Having a healthy diet is always important, but it’s especially critical when you are trying to conceive.
You can ensure that you include enough protein, iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and plenty of antioxidants in your diet by eating plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables.
Maintain a Healthy Weight and Lifestyle
Being significantly underweight or overweight can cause cycle irregularities, making it difficult to conceive.
Consult with your health care provider about a healthy weight for you and your body type, and strive to maintain that weight.
Having a healthy lifestyle is important as well. Avoid cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol while trying to conceive.
You should also strive to get good sleep each night so that your body can function properly.
Focus on Wellness
Your overall wellness plays a huge role in your ability to conceive. Wellness includes your physical, mental, and emotional state.
Too much stress can make conception difficult; therefore, strive to manage your stress.
Take time to focus on the things you need to do and/or change in your life to be healthier all around.
Related Questions:
Does Robitussin Help You Get Pregnant?
Guaifenesin is also the main ingredient in Robitussin, so some people wonder if it would have the same outcome as Mucinex.
According to experts, over-the-counter medicines do not significantly boost your chances of conceiving.
Does Geritol Help You Get Pregnant?
As with Mucinex, there is no evidence that specifically proves that taking Geritol can increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Final Thoughts
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I also don’t like it when social media is misleading.
When it comes to conception and increasing your fertility, you want to stick to the facts and avoid viral TikTok trends.
Save your Mucinex for your next sinus infection or when you actually need it.
Charlynn is an educator and mom to fraternal boy/girl twins. She loves learning through the experiences she has with her littles and using her knowledge to help other moms as they embark on the journey of motherhood.