Can Mucinex Help You Get Pregnant? A Comprehensive Guide to Mucinex and Fertility

I am currently TTC. If you are new to the world of 'trying for a baby,' TTC means Trying to Conceive. You may have heard of Mucinex as one of the tips, tricks, and hacks for trying to get a baby started.

In this article, I will share information on what Mucinex is, and how Mucinex can help a couple who is trying to conceive. Dosages will be discussed, as well as brand names for Mucinex, and different types of Mucinex. Supportive, scientific evidence from respected, peer-reviews articles and journals will be used to enhance information shared regarding Mucinex and trying to conceive.

What Is Guaifenesin, and How Can It Help You Get Pregnant?

Guaifenesin is the active infredient in Mucinex. It is an expectorant that is taken by mouth and is usually used to assist an individual in expectorating phlegm from the airways, especially when they have severe respiratory tract infections.

It is considered safe, and its use may show an improvement in both men and women and their infertility issues if the issue is somehow correlated to mucus production. Guaifenesin is interesting because it's not only an expectorant but also a kind of muscle relaxant with anticonvulsive properties. Guaifenesin reduces the adhesiveness of mucous, as well as its surface tension. It also ups the hydration of that mucus. (Guaifenesin, 2018)

Is Guaifenesin Safe When Trying to Conceive?

It's safe because the developmental toxicity of guaifenesin is considered scarce. To prove this, twenty-five female rates were given different doses of guaifenesin. They were given the doses between gestation day six to day seventeen. The doses given ranged from 250 milligrams to 600 milligrams, and the dosage was given in milligrams per kilogram of body weight. None of the rat babies had any morbidity or mortality issues. Still, fourteen rat baby fetuses were discovered in groups three and four, and twenty-six baby rat fetuses that passed away were found in group five.

The test showed that in pregnancy, doses that ranged from 350 mg, 500 mg, and 600 mg showed significant developmental toxicity, so its use should be used with extreme care during pregnancy. This happens because medications like guaifenesin can enter the placental barrier and then enter the baby's circulation within the womb. (Shabbir, 2016) Guaifenesin does come with its small laundry list of side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, or even allergic rash.

Overdosing is unlikely to produce toxic effects in non-pregnant individuals. Do not take the Mucinex-D, as this has pseudoephedrine in it, which is to open the nasal airways when it's clogged up. Also, do not take the Mucinex DM which has dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan helps suppress coughing, and can also make you sleepy.

How Guaifenesin Can Help With Infertility

Guaifenesin has been shown to improve a woman's feminine mucous that may initially prove to be a hostile environment. (Check, 2000). Check, from that scientific article, mentioned that guaifenesin is a simple way of improving the female reproductive mucous.

A Canadian journal mentioned that guaifenesin was given to women to enhance female mucous production, alongside other elements such as vitamin B6, and an antibiotic, like amoxicillin or clarithromycin. They gave this prescription cocktail to a woman during her follicular phase, or to increase luteal hormones.

The female reproductive fluid is commonly called "CM" in TTC circles. CM is mucous that is gel-like in texture. It fills up the feminine canal and controls the entry of male reproductive fluid into the upper tract area of the canal. It has specialized vital proteins and enzymes. (Tsibris, 1987)

Regarding the female reproductive fluid, the expectorant properties of Mucinex will assist in thinning CM in the same way that it affects the mucous within the lungs. When the Mucous in the lungs is thinned, it is easier to cough out. When the CM within the feminine canals is thinned, it will create an environment that is friendly to the male reproductive "swimmers" (sperm) so they can reach the feminine egg. The CM will be more accessible to swim through.

Mucinex, Men, and Increased Motility for "Swimmers"

In 2011, a thirty-two-year-old man was considered infertile. He was not able to conceive with his significant other, even though they had tried for eighteen months, and without any protection. An analysis of his male reproductive fluid was complete, and he has a low count of reproductive fluid swimmers. Even the volume, viscosity, motility, morphology, and liquefaction counts were not up to par, on top of the low sperm count.

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The provider at that time recommended that the male take 600 milligrams of guaifenesin (extended-release) two times a day. This made for a total of 1200 milligrams daily.

The male was reevaluated in two months, and the analysis of the male reproductive fluid showed a significant improvement in both swimmer count and motility. This study, even though it was from a 2011 case for one couple, showed that guaifenesin might effectively increase a male's reproductive fluid (Means, 2011).

Guaifenesin Dosage for Trying to Conceive

It may be safe to take guaifenesin during the week of the woman's expecting ovulation. This is to lower the risk of any exposure to the developing tissue if conception is to occur.

• Some females on internet boards had success trying Mucinex for five days before ovulation by taking the extra strength 1200 mg once a day, at night before bed.
• Others take 600mg of Mucinex (or generic guaifenesin) twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Note: Taking Mucinex with extra, unnecessary ingredients can increase side effects and exposure to other drugs.

Final Notes on TTC With Guaifenesin

Ultimately, the best chance for a couple to achieve conception is to have timed "baby-making activities" during the six-day window before and including the day of ovulation. This is known as the fertile window. (Evans, 2013).

If you aren't doing so already, go ahead and download an app to track your cycle, or invest in a monitoring device that monitors urinary LH, or luteinizing hormones. However, this is more expensive than the app, and the sticks used to can add up quite quickly.

Many women try to track their CM using CMM, or 'feminine' mucous monitoring. Whether one is using Mucinex (guaifenesin) or not, feminine mucous is observed through sensation and appearance. One's feminine area may feel dry or damp at the beginning of the time of the month. When it feels dry, it's considered Type 1, and when it feels damp, it's considered Type 2. Type 3 is when the CM is white, creamy, and thick. Type four is stretchy, transparent, and elastic and may remind a woman of egg whites that aren't cooked. Type four, the egg white consistency, has the highest chance of conception.

People who practice baby-making during the days when Type 4 CM is detected have at least two to three times more success in conception than 'doing it' with CM that is considered Type 1 or 2. Guaifenesin helps the CM become slippery and wet, which is ideal for the swimmers to reach their target.

Also, it is recommended to use a product called Pre-Seed, which helps harbor a safe environment as a lubricant, instead of depending on other lubricants that may destroy male reproductive fluids. It closely mimics natural feminine CM, which helps facilitate the swimmers to reach their ultimate goal.

References Used for Guaifenesin and Fertility

• Check, J. (2000) Successful pregnancy despite advanced age and elevated serum follicle stimulating hormone levels--a case report. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2000; 27(3-4):171-2.
• Evans-Hoeker, E., Pritchard, D. A., Long, D. L., Herring, A. H., Stanford, J. B., & Steiner, A. Z. (2013). Cervical mucus monitoring prevalence and associated fecundability in women trying to conceive. Fertility and Sterility, 100(4), 1033–1038.e1.
• Guaifenesin. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2018.
• Means, G., Berry-Cabán, C. S., & Hammermeuller, K. (2011). Guaifenesin and increased motility: a preliminary case report. International Journal of General Medicine, 4, 13–14.
• Evaluation of developmental toxicity of guaifenesin using pregnant female rats. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 48(3), 264–269.
• Tsibris J.C.M. (1987) Cervical Mucus. In: Gold J.J., Josimovich J.B. (eds) Gynecologic Endocrinology. Springer, Boston, MA

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

© 2018 Charlotte Doyle

Comments

Niyara on June 02, 2019:

Iam 44yer old I want to getin pregnant