Using Epsom salt compresses to relieve postpartum perineal pain

If the Use of Epsom Salt (magnesium Sulfate) Compresses 25% Effective in Relieving Perineal Pain in Immediate Postpartum Patients?

PHASE2 · Université de Sherbrooke · NCT06393608

This study is testing if Epsom salt compresses can help women feel less pain in their perineal area after giving birth.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorUniversité de Sherbrooke (other)
Locations4 sites (Chicoutimi, Quebec and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06393608 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of compresses soaked in 25% magnesium sulfate for alleviating perineal pain in women after vaginal childbirth. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the magnesium sulfate treatment or a placebo (water-soaked compresses) during their hospital stay. They will apply the compresses for 15 minutes, up to four times a day, and record their pain levels in a diary. The study will take place in four hospitals in Quebec, Canada, and will involve a total of 104 participants.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women who have just given birth vaginally and report perineal or vulvar pain of 3/10 or more.

Not a fit: Patients who have undergone a cesarean section or have hemodynamic instability will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide significant pain relief for postpartum women experiencing perineal discomfort.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of magnesium sulfate for this purpose has not been extensively studied, similar approaches in pain management have shown promise in other contexts.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Planned hospital stay at the mother-child unit of the Hôpital de Chicoutimi, Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne, or Hôpital Honoré-Mercier
* Vaginal delivery with or without perineal tear, any degree of tear, including episiotomies
* Obtaining consent for the study
* Languages spoken: French, English or both

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hemodynamic instability
* Surgical procedure such as a cesarean section
* Transfer to another hospital
* Transfer to another care unit
* Chronic use of narcotics
* Inability to complete the logbook
* Unsigned consent form

Where this trial is running

Chicoutimi, Quebec and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Perineal Injury, Pain

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.