Sometimes getting pregnant can be as easy as following a couple of simple steps. Sadly, that’s not the story for everyone. Sometimes conceiving a child can be very difficult and, as a result, quite painful. For those who may struggle, trying to find a solution to infertility can lead to a lot of unconventional methods.
People have suggested using a menstrual cup after sex, eating pineapple, and even drinking cough syrup to improve your chances of getting pregnant. Now, there’s a new method going viral on TikTok.
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The fertility hack is going viral on TikTok
Women are using the Mucinex Method to get pregnant. Yes, that’s Mucinex like the decongestant. There are more than 1,500 posts on TikTok of women claiming the cold medicine helped them get pregnant, Good Morning America reported. One mom wrote that after five months of struggling to conceive, she tried the Mucinex Method and got pregnant after one shot.
Women take the pill every day during their ovulation window and of course have intercourse with their partners. So how can Mucinex affect to fertility?
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The compound works on more than just the respiratory system.
The medicine contains an ingredient called guaifenesin, Dr. Jessica Shepherd explained on GMA, which works to thin phlegm in the respiratory system. Theoretically, therefore, the medication may also help to clear cervical mucus as well. As a result, it’s easier for sperm to both reach and fertilize the egg. But all of this is speculation.
“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,” Shepherd 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.”
Some studies have been done on the subject.
In 1982, a journal titled Fertility and Sterility published a study that tested 40 couples over the span of 10 months, GMA reported. The woman was given 200 mg of guaifenesin three times a day from the fifth day of her menstrual cycle through ovulation. Scientists then studied how well sperm moved through cervical mucus.
Two-thirds of the couples showed increased sperm mobility. Fifteen of the couples became pregnant during the study, although the research couldn’t solely attribute the pregnancies to guaifenesin.
The manufacturer suggests consulting a doctor.
There is no data to show that guaifenesin is harmful to fetuses. Still, Reckitt, the company that produces Mucinex, urges people to consult a doctor before trying the over-the-counter drug in attempts to get pregnant.
“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 to GMA. “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.”
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
