Breaking Down TikTok Claims About Mucinex and Being pregnant

Many people have tried varied issues to get pregnant. And it appears there are all the time new developments that folks swear made all of the distinction within the quest for a child. Bear in mind when Metformin, a drugs used to deal with diabetes, first emerged as a doable resolution for ladies scuffling with their fertility?

Now, a brand new and sudden remedy is being touted on social media as a should for individuals making an attempt to conceive: Mucinex. Sure, the congestion assist with the commercials that includes the enormous, inexperienced mucus man. 

Certainly, many creators declare taking a dose of Mucinex all through their fertile window helped them get pregnant—even when they’d bother conceiving for months or years prior.

What TikTokers Declare About Mucinex and Being pregnant

Numerous creators on social media are sharing their tales about taking Mucinex whereas making an attempt to conceive—and getting pregnant that very month. One TikToker, who shares content material utilizing the deal with @amanda_macgibbon, posted a viral video that takes followers by her Mucinex journey.

Because the now mom-to-be defined, some individuals take Mucinex a number of occasions all through the day in the course of the week they’re ovulating. She took a dose “half-hour earlier than child dancing” every night time they tried to conceive.

One other creator, who shares content material on TikTok utilizing the deal with @ashandclayky, says in her video she employed a bunch of dietary supplements to attempt to get pregnant, together with a prenatal vitamin with DHA. As well as, she took Mucinex throughout her fertile window. For her, a dose each night time, quarter-hour earlier than intercourse, is what she swears led to a being pregnant after two cycles.

Importantly, like the primary creator, this mother claims she fastidiously employed ovulation predictors to calculate her ovulation window.

What Consultants Say About Mucinex and Fertility

It is all primarily based on rumour and there aren’t any current research displaying Mucinex can enhance fertility, specialists say. So, why are creators on TikTok satisfied it may?

In response to the Mucinex’s web site, its expectorant “clears the airways by thinning and loosening extra mucus within the air passages, making it simpler to cough up the mucus.” 

“The speculation is that guaifenesin—the energetic ingredient in Mucinex—will skinny cervical mucus to enhance the power for sperm to go by the cervix to achieve the egg,” Suzy Lipinski, MD,, board-certified OB-GYN and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group, tells Mother and father.

However it’s necessary to notice that cervical mucus undergoes modifications naturally round ovulation, based on Rachel McConnell, MD, of Columbia College Fertility Middle. “It turns into moist and slippery,” she says. “The consistency of the sort of discharge helps sperm swim to an egg on the time of ovulation.”

Regardless of the limitless tales on-line about Mucinex infants, Dr. McConnell says, “Mucinex is just not FDA accredited for fertility therapy.” She provides, “There aren’t any current research for the usage of Mucinex,” and states any claims that it really works to assist an individual get pregnant are solely anecdotal.

Dr. Lipinksi agrees there aren’t any high-quality research to assist the claims that Mucinex boosts fertility. And she or he explains, “Usually, 85% of {couples} will get pregnant inside a yr of making an attempt, and 90% will by two years…It is arduous to show what works as a result of there’s a probability of being pregnant each cycle.” 

Additionally, Reckitt, the makers of Mucinex, don’t approve of individuals utilizing it for fertility functions.

In a press release to Mother and father, the corporate shares, “Reckitt is conscious of current social media exercise surrounding Mucinex and fertility, and we perceive why there may be heightened curiosity on this subject. As a worldwide chief in well being and hygiene, it will be important that we make clear that Mucinex ought to solely be used as meant according to label instructions. Taking Mucinex for infertility constitutes off-label use.”

The assertion goes on to say, “Taking any medicines exterior their accredited indications or with out acknowledging all energetic components could also be dangerous. In case of doubt, we advocate girls have a dialogue with their well being care skilled. Please all the time learn the label and security data earlier than taking any self-care remedy.”

Take into accout, negative effects of guaifenesin might embody diarrhea, dizziness, headache, hives, and nausea or vomiting, amongst others.

What Can Assist Throughout Ovulation

In your finest probabilities of getting pregnant, Dr. McConnell says, “It is very important keep hydrated, drink loads of water, and eat wholesome.” 

She provides that monitoring your cervical mucus beginning when your interval ends can be key. “After your interval, the cervical mucus ought to have a cream-like look,” she explains. “Because the fertile window is entered, cervical mucus will enhance and the consistency and colour turn into just like egg whites.”

Should you do not discover clear watery cervical mucus mid-cycle and you are attempting to conceive, “this might be a superb time to debate findings together with your fertility physician,” Dr. McConnell advises.

In the meantime, Dr. Lipinski recommends that for those who haven’t gotten pregnant after a yr of making an attempt—or after six months in case you are over 35—it’s time to hunt analysis.