Does Mucinex Help You Get Pregnant?

Ever thought about taking cough medicine for fertility?

No, we can’t imagine you would’ve…

(Unless you caught the TikTok trend of 2020, in which case, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about 😅)

But, some people say that Mucinex — specifically guaifenesin, which is the main ingredient in Mucinex — can help you get pregnant.

But, how accurate is this? 🤔

And, if it works, how should you take it?

Let’s delve into the world of fertility treatments once more. 👇

In this article: 📝

What is Mucinex?

So, starting with the basics, Mucinex is an expectorant (a cough medicine) that loosens your mucus and makes your cough more wet. 🫁

It’s generally used to treat chest congestion from infections, such as flu, bronchitis, and the common cold.

These types of infections tend to cause thick mucus, which is likely the culprit for your blocked-up or runny nose! 🤧

Mucinex, or guaifenesin (the ingredient in Mucinex), then helps to get rid of the excess mucus, and clear your air passages by thinning it out — making it easier to cough up.

Mucinex can be taken in a number of ways, including oral form (tablets), syrup (liquid), or dissolving granules.

So, how does Mucinex work for fertility?

Like your lungs, you also have mucus on your cervix, too.

And, by that logic, thinning the mucus when you have a cold could also apply to thinning your cervical mucus, too.

But, it would only be useful for fertility if thick cervical mucus (or ‘hostile mucus’) is what’s preventing you from getting pregnant.

But, where’s the proof?

So, an old study from 1982 is the main driver of this theory.

It looked at 40 couples who had difficulty conceiving for at least 10 months, and whose tests revealed they had hostile cervical mucus (this basically means the mucus is too thick and sticky to allow any sperm to get through to reach the egg).

In the study, each woman took 200mg of guaifenesin through oral tablets, and 30 women showed some level of improvement in sperm motility and mucus quality.

And… 16 women got pregnant. 🙌

But, this was one study, and it was done over 40 years ago… so, some new data is definitely needed in this area to prove its viability as a fertility treatment.

Other studies have shown guaifenesin may also be useful in treating painful menstruation, such as abdominal cramps, but larger studies need to be done to validate these results.

So, the link between guaifenesin and reproductive organs could be there…

But, is it safe to use Mucinex yourself?

How to use Mucinex to get pregnant

Disclaimer: Mucinex shouldn’t be used as a fertility drug, especially not alone.

Mucinex is not a fertility treatment and was only researched on women who have hostile cervical mucus.

Any other fertility problem (such as delayed ovulation, low egg reserve, etc.) wouldn’t be targeted through this medication. 🥚

We don’t recommend self-medication on your own, so it’s important to contact your doctor first.

Aside from Mucinex, there are plenty of other ways you can boost your fertility naturally — such as eating well and exercising. 🏃‍♀️

How much Mucinex should you take to get pregnant?

The original dose used in the 1982 study was 200mg, starting from day 5 of your menstrual cycle.

But, if you want to try taking Mucinex for your fertility, it’s really important you clear this with your doctor first.

It’s not really used as a fertility drug as the evidence is very limited and better fertility medications are available.

Your doc can advise you on the best course of action for your fertility journey and, if they decide on Mucinex, they can tell you what dosage you should take.

🔍 Read More: Can You Take Mucinex When You’re Pregnant? 🤰

Does Mucinex cancel out birth control?

This really only applies to people who are taking Mucinex and don’t want to get pregnant, so for you TTC ladies out there, you don’t need to worry about this one!

So, the jury is still out on this one. 👩‍⚖️

There aren’t any links or direct evidence saying Mucinex affects your birth control’s effectiveness.

But, some studies say that guaifenesin could increase the clearance of estrogen from the body.

As estrogen is one of the main hormones in combined birth control, it’s thought that an interference with the estrogen levels in any way could affect the reliability of the birth control itself.

But, there’s a lack of research around this area…

That’s why speaking to your doc is the best bet.

They may suggest using extra protection while you’re taking Mucinex, such as condoms, or continuing as normal.

Still want to know more about Mucinex?

Our Community is talking about it right now.

We’re talking about a whole bunch of other things, too.

Join us on Peanut and get involved in the conversation. 🥜