Conceive

On magic potions... Since fertility is underfunded and under researched, there are many areas with emerging evidence or none at all that somehow go viral. The latest one resurfacing is the idea that Mucinex (yes, the cough syrup) can boost fertility. Let’s break it down. The thinking behind Mucinex and fertility is that the active ingredient, guaifenesin, can thin the cervical mucus, making it easier for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. I’ll admit: when we got pregnant with Elle in 2018– after two years of trying– we were taking guaifenesin (So I guess I’m a trendsetter?). And yet, it’s so easy to look back and create a story about your success, without really knowing what to attribute it to. This was after 2 years of trying! So who the f knows. Was it the guaifenesin? The acupuncture? The release I felt after starting a new job? Just science? Dumb luck? We'll never really know... In reality, when it comes to research, there are a total of two case reports in the 21st century that each looked at one individual who was taking guaifenesin who got pregnant. A 2010 report looked at sperm count and motility (not cervical mucus). The other report from 2000, described a 46 yo woman who got pregnant after 14 months of progesterone therapy and also happened to be taking guaifenesin. Back in the 20th century, 1982, there was also a study involving 40 couples who were struggling to conceive who had hostile cervical mucus. No control group. All 40 couples were given guaifenesin and over half of them showed marked improvement in sperm motility and mucus quality–resulting in 15 pregnancies. That’s it. No large-scale studies. No conclusive evidence. And yet, if you’ve seen the #MucinexBaby stories on TikTok, you might think this is the magic solution. But correlation does not equal causation. Until we have more research, it’s just that – a correlation. So how do you make sense of this for yourself? Well, I often say, if we waited for there to be a randomized control trial for everything fertility related, we’d sooner die—let alone be in our childbearing years. So we need to make a call! In consulting with the expert reproductive endocrinologists, the consensus is that there is likely no harm in trying Mucinex around ovulation if you’re curious (but also no guarantee it’ll help!). So you decide. Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments. P.S. We continue to know next to nothing about cervical mucus. Here’s hoping some of that Pentagon money can take a deeper look! https://lnkd.in/eQy_yUdf

We’re nearing 20k subscribers to our weekly EggDrop newsletter, and I’d love to check in—what topics or content would you like to hear from us? Comment below!Not subscribed yet? You can sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ek2nW4Nf 0/ This week’s roundup dives into critical themes shaping the future of reproductive health—from fertility breakthroughs to legal battles and ethical dilemmas. Let’s go! 1/ 🧠 Pregnancy rewires your brain – New research reveals how pregnancy literally changes brain structure, enhancing areas that help mothers bond and care for their babies. A fascinating look into the neural transformation of motherhood. https://lnkd.in/eD-_ucuH 2/ 🩺 Abortion ban leads to preventable death – Amber Nicole Thurman’s tragic story highlights the fatal consequences of restrictive abortion laws in Georgia. Delayed emergency care due to legal fear cost her life, experts say. https://lnkd.in/eycXcr9E 3/ 🏛️  Senate blocks IVF rights bill – Senate Republicans once again blocked a bill ensuring national access to IVF, elevating the issue ahead of the November elections as Democrats make reproductive rights a key focus. https://lnkd.in/eKc2jQE3 4/ 💎 Build-a-baby in California? – In California’s booming fertility industry, some wealthy families are choosing their baby’s sex, and soon maybe even eye color or personality traits. But as demand grows, so do the ethical questions. https://lnkd.in/eChk2duw 5/ 🥑 Keto boosts fertility in PCOS – A new study of 30 women with PCOS reveals that the ketogenic diet may help restore regular menstrual cycles and improve pregnancy rates. While promising, more research is needed. @Frontiers https://lnkd.in/ePDfMDkF 6/ 🎉 Victory for reproductive rights in ND – A North Dakota court has struck down the state’s near-total abortion ban, marking a significant win for reproductive freedom and patient safety. https://lnkd.in/e3szdgsb 7/ 🌟 Celebrity IVF clinic sued over 'lost' embryos – Kim K and Paris Hilton’s go-to IVF clinic is in hot water after allegedly losing 16 embryos belonging to a couple. The lawsuit claims the mix-up could have cost them their shot at parenthood. https://lnkd.in/eg_8VxSV 8/ 🩸 Prehypertension impacts IVF success – Men with prehypertension may face lower sperm quality and reduced IVF success, according to a new study. A compelling reason to keep blood pressure in check for those planning a family. @Fertility and Sterility https://lnkd.in/eSMUi6Yk

0/ This week’s fertility round-up covers everything from how heat waves are lowering birth rates to groundbreaking IVF legislation in California, plus a spotlight on preeclampsia and tech helping detect heart failure in pregnancy. Dive in for the latest on fertility, health, and wellness! 1/ 🔥 Heat waves hit fertility rates. A study shows fewer births 9 months after hot days, with bigger declines as temps rise. Could heat be the next fertility challenge? https://lnkd.in/eCZjChTn 2/ 🧊 "I Was Frozen for 2 Years" – Rowan Henchy, 21, reveals she was an IVF embryo frozen for 2 years. Brooke Shields' and her daughter’s openness about IVF inspires us to take charge of our fertility. https://lnkd.in/eVmM275P 3/ 🏛️ Big win for fertility access! California passed a bill requiring large group insurance to cover IVF. This could benefit over 10M Californians. Now it’s up to Governor Gavin Newsom. https://lnkd.in/e-WYYarN 4/ ⚠️ 50-60% of infertility cases in India tied to low ovarian reserve, reports Nova IVF Fertility. Younger women are increasingly affected due to lifestyle factors. https://lnkd.in/eFtNjXQC 5/ 💔 "I Am Childless, but Not by Choice" – Eugenia Cheng shares the grief of failed fertility treatments and societal pressures. A must-read. https://lnkd.in/ej_uPZwn 6/ 🚗 Danish study finds pollution increases infertility risk in men, while noise raises risks for women over 35. Environmental factors deserve a closer look. https://lnkd.in/eGXj2ZEM 7/ 🩸 Preeclampsia now affects 1 in 7 pregnancies. Early detection is key, though much is still unknown about postpartum risks. https://lnkd.in/ewfvpNpQ 8/ 🏅 Paralympian Mallory Weggemann wins gold as a new mom! She credits motherhood for her motivation, with her daughter cheering her on. https://lnkd.in/e_qqAzSN 9/ 🩺 AI stethoscopes helped Mayo Clinic detect twice as many pregnancy-related heart failure cases, improving early diagnosis and saving lives. https://lnkd.in/eyvhrP6e 10/ 🥚 Want more updates on fertility trends and expert insights? Subscribe to The Egg Drop for your weekly dose of all things fertility! https://lnkd.in/ek2nW4Nf