Many of us have tried different methods to get pregnant, and it seems like there’s always a new trend that people swear has made a difference in our journey to find a baby. Remember when metformin, the diabetes medication, first emerged as a solution for women struggling with infertility?
Right now, an amazing new drug called Mucinex is being promoted on social media as a must-have for anyone trying to conceive. Yes, that’s right, the nasal decongestant that features a giant green runny-nosed man in the ad.
In fact, many creators claim that taking Mucinex around the time of ovulation can make it easier to conceive, even if you have had difficulty conceiving for months or years before.
What TikTok users are saying about Mucinex and pregnancy
Countless social media creators have shared their experiences of taking Mucinex while trying to conceive, only to fall pregnant that same month. A TikTok user who shares content under the username @amanda_macgibbon posted a video walking her followers through her Mucinex journey, which has gone viral.
Some people take Mucinex several times a day during ovulation week, as one pregnant woman explains: While she was trying to conceive, she took the pill every night “30 minutes before dancing with my baby.”
Another creator who shares content on TikTok under the handle @ashandclayky said in her videos that she used various supplements, including prenatal vitamins containing DHA, to get pregnant. She also took Mucinex during her fertile period. She claims that taking one every night, 15 minutes before sex, helped her conceive after two cycles.
Importantly, like the original creator, this mum claims to have carefully used an ovulation predictor tool to calculate her ovulation time.
Experts Speak About Mucinex and Fertility
Experts say this is all based on hearsay and there’s no recent research to suggest Mucinex increases fertility, so why do TikTok creators believe it can?
According to the Mucinex website, this expectorant “clears the airways by thinning and loosening excess mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up the mucus.”
“The theory is that the active ingredient in Mucinex, guaifenesin, thickens the cervical mucus, improving the ability of sperm to travel through the cervix and reach the egg,” Dr. Susie Lipinski, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and medical director of Pediatrics Medical Group, told Parents .
But it’s important to keep in mind that your cervical mucus naturally changes around the time of ovulation, says Rachel McConnell, PhD, of the Columbia University Fertility Center. “It becomes wetter and slippery,” she said. “The thickness of this secretion helps sperm swim to the egg when you ovulate.”
Despite the countless stories online about babies being injected with Mucinex, Dr. McConnell says, “Mucinex is not FDA approved for fertility treatment. There are no recent studies on the use of Mucinex,” she adds, saying claims that Mucinex helps women conceive are merely anecdotal.
Dr Lipinski agrees that there’s no high-quality research to back up claims that Mucinex increases fertility, and she explains, “Overall, 85% of couples conceive within a year, and 90% conceive within two years. Since conception is possible at any time, it’s hard to prove which methods work.”
Additionally, Reckitt, the manufacturer of Mucinex, has not approved the product for reproductive use.
“Reckitt is aware of recent social media activity regarding Mucinex and fertility treatments and understands why there has been increased interest in this topic,” the company said in a statement to Parents . As a global leader in health and hygiene, it is important to be clear that Mucinex should only be used for its intended purpose as indicated on the label. “The use of Mucinex in fertility treatments is an off-label use.”
The statement goes on to say, “Using medications outside of their approved indications or without reviewing all active ingredients may be harmful. If in doubt, we encourage you to consult a health care professional. Always read the label and safety information before taking any medication for self-care.”
Keep in mind that side effects of guaifenesin may include diarrhea, dizziness, headache, hives, nausea, and vomiting.
What helps during ovulation?
To give yourself the best chance of conceiving, “it’s important to stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, and eat a healthy diet,” says Dr. McConnell.
It’s also important to track your cervical mucus from the time your period ends, she adds. “When your period ends, your cervical mucus becomes creamy,” she explains. “As you enter your fertile window, your mucus increases and becomes more similar in consistency and color to egg whites.”
If you’re trying to conceive but don’t have any cervical mucus at any point during your menstrual cycle, “this is a good time to discuss your results with your fertility specialist,” advises Dr McConnell.
Meanwhile, Dr Lipinski recommends seeing a doctor if you’ve been trying for a year and still haven’t gotten pregnant, or if you’re over 35 and haven’t gotten pregnant after six months.
