Peppermint Oil for Urinary Retention

Not Applicable

Terminated

• Conditions: Urinary Retention
• Interventions: Other: Mineral Oil; Other: Peppermint oil vapors

• Registration Number: NCT05259800
• Lead Sponsor: TriHealth Inc.

Brief Summary

A randomized controlled study will be conducted, with two arms. Postpartum women experiencing urinary retention will be randomized into one of the two following arms:

* Arm 1: Subjects will be exposed to vapor of peppermint oil

* Arm 2: Subjects will be exposed to vapor of placebo (mineral oil) Outcome variables include resolution of urinary retention, time to spontaneous urination, volume of spontaneous urination, frequency of urinary catheterization, and patient satisfaction.

Detailed Description

The purpose of the study is to determine if the use of peppermint oil among postpartum women experiencing urinary retention will increase spontaneous urination and decrease the need for catheterization. A randomized controlled study will be conducted, with two arms. Subjects will be randomized into one of the two following arms:

* Arm 1: Subjects will be exposed to vapor of peppermint oil

* Arm 2: Subjects will be exposed to vapor of placebo (mineral oil) Outcome variables include resolution of urinary retention, time to spontaneous urination, volume of spontaneous urination, frequency of urinary catheterization, and patient satisfaction.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-10-05
• Study First Submitted: 2022-02-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-02-18
• Study First Posted: 2022-03-02
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Primary Completion: 2025-04-01
• Study Completion: 2025-04-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-21
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: TERMINATED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 17

Inclusion Criteria

• 1. 18 years old or older 2. English speaking 3. Admitted to Bethesda North Mom Baby Unit 4. Postpartum 5. Experiencing urinary retention - defined as meeting at least one of the following criteria:
  • More than 6 hours after delivery or foley catheter removal without being able to spontaneously void
  • Symptomatic urinary retention without being able to spontaneously void
  • Change in fundal height or position without being able to spontaneously void 6. Bladder scan showing bladder containing 400mL or more urine

Exclusion Criteria

1. Allergy to peppermint
2. Asthma
3. Active herpes lesions
4. Seizure disorder
5. Not able to void in toilet (ex: requiring use of bed pan to void)

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo	Mineral Oil	Subjects will be exposed to vapor of placebo (mineral oil)
Peppermint Oil	Peppermint oil vapors	Subjects will be exposed to vapor of peppermint oil

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percent of patients with urinary retention resolved	10 minutes	Urinary retention defined as: * More than 6 hours after delivery or foley catheter removal without being able to spontaneously void; * Symptomatic urinary retention without being able to spontaneously void; * Change in fundal height or position without being able to spontaneously void More than 6 hours after delivery or foley catheter removal without voiding spontaneously; symptomatic urinary retention without being able to spontaneously void; or change in fundal height or position without being able to spontaneously void; Resolution of urinary retention will be achieved if patient spontaneously voids within 10 minutes after exposure to oil

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Patient satisfaction	1 hour	Patient rated satisfaction
Time to spontaneous urination	1 hour	Minutes until participant spontaneously voids
Volume of spontaneous urination	1 hour	Volume of urine when participant spontaneously voids
Incidence of urinary catheterization	1 hour	Whether participant requires urinary catheterization or not

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Bethesda North Hospital; 🇺🇸 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States