Peppermint power: could a simple scent prevent catheters after birth?
NCT ID NCT03319498
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether breathing in peppermint oil vapor could help new mothers urinate on their own after childbirth, reducing the need for a catheter. The trial enrolled 77 postpartum women who were unable to urinate within six hours of delivery. Participants sat on a toilet with peppermint or mineral oil vapor in the bowl. The study was terminated early, so firm conclusions are limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- peppermint oil vapor
- What this could lead to
- If it worked, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to help new mothers urinate after childbirth without needing a catheter.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early, so results are limited. It was a small study, and peppermint oil may not work for everyone or could cause irritation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Mount Carmel Health System
Columbus, Ohio, 43232, United States
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