The Wonders of Guaifenesin

Guaifenesin is an over-the-counter cough syrup also called an expectorant better known under the name of Robitussin. It also comes in several other name brands as well as a myriad of generic names, such as Equate. Guaifenesin helps to loosen mucus in the bronchial tubes, as caused by a cold or flu. The mucus is loosened and then able to be coughed up. You may be asking why in the world is guaifenesin in a preconception article. Quite simple, guaifenesin helps to loosen all mucus - not just that found in the bronchial tubes!

The fact is that guaifenesin helps to loosen up mucus that's already there. It stands to reason, that if taken around ovulation time, it will help to loosen up the cervical mucus, making it more conducive for the sperm to move through. I took it a couple of cycles and found that it made my cervical mucus very watery. I'm not really sure if being too watery presents a problem or not. I do know that good quality fertile cervical fluid needs to be clear and stretchy. Being too watery, though, it didn't have that good stretch quality to it. I do know that guaifenesin has helped many women, though a few many experience the problem I had. I finally quit taking it because the taste is atrocious. I do believe that guaifenesin can be bought in gel tabs, too, though I never had any luck finding any for myself.

I have talked to a lot of women who swear by guaifenesin. I have read many conception success stories that the women took guaifenesin faithfully. So, it must work for some. If you can stomach the taste, and if the presence of cervical mucus or the quality of cervical mucus is an issue, you may give this a try. As always, I don't recommend taking anything without the advice of your care provider first.

To get the best results, take one to two teaspoons of guaifenesin a day until ovulation. It's probably best to start taking it right after the menstrual bleeding has stopped. Be sure that the guaifenesin has only guaifenesin in it. It is sold in combination with decongestants and/or antihistamines. These decongestants and antihistamines can dry up the cervical mucus, thus defeating the purpose.

As an added help to the guaifenesin, drink lots of water - to help produce more cervical fluid. In any case, if you don't have any fertility problems that you know of and still

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