Can Taking Mucinex Help Women Get Pregnant?
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Women struggling with infertility are getting help from an unlikely source—an over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. According to women sharing their stories on social media, taking a Mucinex pill daily during their high-fertile window has helped them get pregnant.
Mucinex contains an active ingredient called guaifenesin that can help with congestion by thinning phlegm, a type of mucus produced by the respiratory system. Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OB-GYN, told Good Morning America the theory in using Mucinex to help with fertility is that guaifenesin could help thin cervical mucus, making it easier for the sperm to reach an egg during fertilization.
“The reason why people think that this is going to be a way that’s going to help increase chances of fertility is that the actual medication is going to thin secretions,” Shepherd said. “Now, when we think of thinning secretions, we are usually looking at it from a perspective of cervical secretions.”
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There’s a 1982 study published in the journal “Fertility and Sterility” which followed 40 couples over a span of 10 months. Females were given 200 mg of guaifenesin three times daily from day five of their menstrual cycle through when they were ovulating. Scientists were tracking how well sperm moved through cervical mucus after using the guaifenesin.
Of the 40 patients, 15 of the couples became pregnant during the study. However, their pregnancies can’t be attributed solely to guaifenesin.
“When we actually look at the data and the studies that have been done on Mucinex and fertility, we know that it hasn’t significantly improved the quality of cervical mucus, which could, again, help with some of the motility of the sperm getting to the egg,” she said. “However, it is, again, something that women can try on their own, but there is no strong data that’s going to say that it’s significantly going to increase their chances of fertility.”
The maker of Mucinex has even chimed in on the theories surrounding their product. In a statement they said any off-label use of the medication is risky.
“Reckitt is aware of recent social media activity surrounding Mucinex and fertility, and we understand why there is heightened interest in this topic,” the company said in a statement. “As a global leader in health and hygiene, it is important that we clarify that Mucinex should only be used as intended in line with label directions. Taking Mucinex for infertility constitutes off-label use.”
“Taking any medications outside their approved indications or without acknowledging all active ingredients may be harmful,” the company continued. “In case of doubt, we recommend women have a discussion with their healthcare professional. Please always read the label and safety information before taking any self-care medication.”
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Can Taking Mucinex Help Women Get Pregnant? was originally published on elev8.com
