Post-menopausal women who visit the loo a little too often are being sought for a study to see if a new drug can help overcome their problem.
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen are recruiting women aged between 40 and 74 who have overactive bladders - or who go to the loo more than eight times a day and have to go as soon as they need.
Many postmenopausal women have this problem and can take drugs that cut down on their trips to the loo. However, some of these drugs have side effects, such as giving the woman a dry mouth.
Women taking part in this trial will be given the new drug which it is hoped will not have the same side effects.
Dr Jim Repper, a GP and Director of the University’s Clinical Research Unit, said: “This is a problem that a number of women have but many are too embarrassed to go to their doctor and they just struggle away.
“The kind of women we would like to get involved in our study are those who plan any trips, like a shopping trip in Aberdeen, around where the public toilets are. These are women who, as soon as they get the urge to go to the loo, can’t hold off going, and who sometimes experience embarrassing leaks.”
The trial would involve seven morning visits to Foresterhill Health Centre over a 12 week period. Some visits will include fasting blood tests and the patients will be required to keep a diary throughout the trial.
Any post-menopausal woman interested in taking part in the trial should ring research nurses Jane Sheran or Caroline McNiff to find out if they are suitable candidates - tel: (01224) 552785.