Skip to content

Essential Oils Following IUD Insertion

The Use of Topically Applied Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil for Pain Reduction Following IUD Placement

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04927741
Enrollment
60
Registered
2021-06-16
Start date
2021-05-27
Completion date
2022-05-26
Last updated
2024-12-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pain, Muscle, IUD

Brief summary

This study will measure the effects of topical application of sweet marjoram essential oil + grapeseed oil with massage on uterine cramping/pain post-IUD insertion/placement. The intention is to conduct a pilot study that could give a first look at the data to determine whether this line of research is worth pursuing with more time, effort, and resources. The results of this pilot study will provide adequate data (e.g., variance estimates) needed for obtaining reasonably reliable sample size estimates if larger studies are warranted in the future.

Detailed description

Patients will be consented and randomized to one of three methods by a member of the study team on the day of their IUD insertion. Several variables of interest will be collected via the electronic medical record and via questionnaire.

Interventions

OTHERSweet Marjoram Essential Oil

Subjects will receive a dilution of sweet marjoram essential oil (15 cc of grapeseed oil with 10 drops of sweet marjoram essential oil). Oil will be applied topically by the study medical providers. Providers will wear exam gloves, dip three fingers into the oil solution and apply it topically to the subject's lower abdomen. This will be applied by going left to right for 20 seconds while applying gentle pressure - counter pressure may be applied on the uterus to help relieve cramping.

Subjects will receive 15 cc of undiluted grapeseed oil. Oil will be applied topically by the study medical providers. Providers will wear exam gloves, dip three fingers into the oil solution and apply it topically to the subject's lower abdomen. This will be applied by going left to right for 20 seconds while applying gentle pressure - counter pressure may be applied on the uterus to help relieve cramping.

Sponsors

Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

Participant will remain blinded until completion of their study activities

Intervention model description

1:1:1 Randomization

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* 18 years of age or older at time of IUD insertion * English speaking * Subject has signed study-specific consent form * Subject has taken clinic recommended NSAID at least 30 minutes prior to IUD insertion

Exclusion criteria

* Subject is in post-partum period * Known allergies to sweet marjoram essential oil or grapeseed oil * Broken or irritated skin on lower abdomen * Diagnosis of IBS/IBD

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Pain/Discomfort as Assessed by NRS15 minutes post oil application/massagePain/discomfort rating change following topical application of sweet marjoram + grapeseed oil with massage after IUD insertion. (Pain/discomfort assessed by NRS on scale of 0-10).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
NRS Patient Pain RatingWithin the 15 minutes following oil application/massageThe secondary objective of this study is to determine ≥ 0.5-point different in perceived pain rating (on a scale of 0-10) exists between Method 1 (sweet marjoram essential oil + grapeseed oil with massage), Method 2 (grapeseed oil with massage), and Method 3 (control group - no oil or massage).

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026