Health Matters: People Are Using Mucinex But Not for Cough

Although two studies investigating this concept and method National Library of Medicine, Studies titled “Diagnosis and treatment of cervical mucus abnormalities” and “Improvement of cervical factor with Guaifenesin” found no scientific evidence to support this claim, and Mucinex is not medically recommended for improving fertility.

Improving cervical factor with Guaifenesin (active ingredient in Mucinex)

Guaifenesin is an expectorant that can increase respiratory fluid. It is a commonly used ingredient in many antitussive (cough) preparations and helps break up mucus in the lungs. As a result, people have evaluated whether breaking up cervical mucus is beneficial for improving fertility outcomes.

Studies evaluated whether this agent could also improve cervical mucus by improving sperm survival and fertility. Early case studies published in 1982 suggested that guaifenesin (Mucinex) was associated with a significant improvement in post-coital testing and pregnancy rates. A similar case report from 2010 showed an increase in total sperm count and motility after two months of treatment using guaifenesin. Other reviews found guaifenesin to be the least effective treatment for cervical mucus disorders.

There are no randomized controlled trials in either men or women showing improvements in fertility parameters (sperm production or motility) or outcomes (pregnancy rates) with the use of guaifenesin. This makes it difficult to recommend this method for the treatment of fertility disorders.

But according to some users on TikTok, taking a Mucinex pill once a day during high fertility helped them get pregnant; The theory is that Mucinex guaifenesin ingredients can potentially thin cervical mucus and make it easier for sperm to reach eggs during fertilization, as people believe this can thin the secretions. If taken by men, it can improve the quality and quantity of sperm. However, there is no data to confirm these claims; Some success stories stand out on TikTok.

So, according to proven research, can Mucinex help fertility? According to board-certified fertility specialist Danielle E. Lane, MD Lane Fertility InstituteIt’s not like that. “Based on available studies, there is no clear evidence that Mucinex improves fertility outcomes,” he notes.

Given the lack of proven research, Lane does not recommend taking Municex in hopes of getting pregnant. He continues, “Therefore, its use to increase pregnancy rates is not recommended. “While it likely does no harm, patients risk losing time and money by taking a drug that doesn’t help them get pregnant and delays them from receiving fertility treatment that could improve their outcomes.”

Additionally, because the medication is not designed to aid fertility and pregnancy, it may have harmful side effects. “Finally, Mucinex is not designed to be used for months. So when a person uses very high doses, they may experience side effects such as dizziness, headaches, gastrointestinal upset, and even kidney stones,” says Lane.