In 2020, a TikTok video went viral for sharing that taking Mucinex D (guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine), a cough medicine and decongestant, can help you get pregnant. Ever since, women around the globe have been trying “the Mucinex Method.” But does it really work?
First, How Does Mucinex Work?
As Health Magazine reports, Mucinex is an expectorant, or a cough medicine that makes your cough productive (wet). You can purchase oral capsules, available in extended- or immediate-release versions, or liquid syrups. You can take Mucinex alone or combined with decongestants, or Mucinex D. Another option is Muxinex combined with cough suppressants, or Mucinex DM (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan).
Mucinex typically treats chest congestion caused by acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) like:
Those infections usually cause excess production of thick mucus, resulting in a stuffy or runny nose. Mucinex helps clear the mucus in your air passages by thinning it out, making it easier to cough up.
Can Mucinex Really Help You Get Pregnant?
According to Health, just like your airway passages, a woman’s cervix also produces mucus. It may be hard for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg during ovulation if your cervical mucus is too thick. Thick cervical mucus may keep a fertilized egg from traveling to the uterus and attaching to the inner lining.
“The theory for women is that Mucinex may make the cervical mucus thinner,” Lynn Westphal, MD, an OB-GYN specializing in infertility and reproductive endocrinology, told Health. “The mucus at ovulation is usually already thin, so it is unlikely to have much of an impact.”
In a 2020 TikTok video, user @julia_schuller shared that Mucinex D helped her get pregnant after she used the medicine to treat her COVID-19 symptoms. Still, there’s limited research on whether Mucinex actually increases fertility.
Additionally, an older study published in 1982 found that guaifenesin may improve fertility by thinning cervical mucus. The researchers administered guaifenesin to 40 people. About 57.5% showed improvement in postcoital tests, which examine cervical mucus. Of that group, 15 people became pregnant.
Since then, no studies have examined whether guaifenesin boosts fertility or affects cervical mucus. Though, Mucinex may have some effect on your chances of becoming pregnant.
“While guaifenesin has been discussed for years as a possible way to improve both male and female fertility, the idea of taking it to help get pregnant is mostly anecdotal,” noted Dr. Westphal. Still, “there’s no hard evidence.”
Are There Possible Risks?
Mucinex is generally safe to take and is not associated with severe risks. Still, you may notice side effects like:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Consult a healthcare provider if you develop an allergic reaction to Mucinex, which could cause symptoms like difficulty breathing.
As for taking Mucinex during pregnancy, a review published in 2021 found that guaifenesin is probably safe to consume. Guaifenesin is a category C medication, meaning that pregnant people may use it to treat URTIs if the benefits outweigh the risks. You may consider speaking to a healthcare provider about taking Mucinex if you are trying to become pregnant or already pregnant. For example, some cough medicines contain alcohol, which is unsafe to consume during pregnancy.
How can You Increase your Fertility Naturally?
Mucinex may not be a foolproof way of becoming pregnant. Still, research has identified other steps you can take to help boost your fertility.
Eat Healthily
Research has found that diets high in added sugars, refined carbs, and trans fats may negatively affect fertility. In contrast, a well-rounded diet of fruits, lean proteins, low-fat or non-fat dairy, vegetables, and whole grains—such as the Mediterranean diet—may support fertility.
Nutrients that help support menstrual cycle regularity, which may improve fertility, include:
Eliminate Cigarettes and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can make it difficult to become pregnant and increase miscarriage risk if you are pregnant. Alcohol can harm the fetus during development and lead to complications like:
- Behavioral issues
- Facial or heart defects
- Intellectual or learning disabilities
Limit Caffeine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises limiting your caffeine intake if you are trying to get pregnant. Sources of caffeine include:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Energy drinks
- Soda
- Tea
Research has found that consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily while trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy is safe. For example, one 12-ounce cup of coffee has 200 milligrams of caffeine.
Manage Stress
Fertility concerns can be stressful. Finding ways to reduce stress while trying to conceive is essential, but that may be easier said than done. Ways to manage stress include:
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get enough sleep each night.
- Make time for your favorite activities (e.g., listening to music, reading a book, or spending time with friends).
- Try deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
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