Peppermint Oil for Urinary Retention

Evaluating the Use of Peppermint Oil for Postpartum Women With Urinary Retention

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Urinary Retention
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Peppermint oil vapors; Other: Mineral Oil

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 Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 17
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Ohio
    • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45242
      • Bethesda North Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

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 Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Peppermint Oil; Subjects will be exposed to vapor of peppermint oil	Other: Peppermint oil vapors; Subjects will be exposed to vapor of peppermint oil
Placebo Comparator: Placebo; Subjects will be exposed to vapor of placebo (mineral oil)	Other: Mineral Oil; Subjects will be exposed to vapor of placebo (mineral oil)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Percent of Patients With Urinary Retention Resolved	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	10 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Time to Spontaneous Urination	Minutes until participant spontaneously voids	1 hour
Volume of Spontaneous Urination	Volume of urine when participant spontaneously voids	1 hour
Incidence of Urinary Catheterization	Whether participant requires urinary catheterization or not	1 hour
Patient Satisfaction	Patient rated satisfaction	1 hour

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: TriHealth Inc.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 5, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): April 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 18, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 18, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): March 2, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): August 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 28, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: postpartum; peppermint oil
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urination Disorders; Urinary Retention; Organic Chemicals; Hydrocarbons; Petrolatum; Mineral Oil
• Other Study ID Numbers: 21-065

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No