The Efficacy of Graminex® Flower Pollen Extracts in Healthy Women With Urinary Incontinence

Inclusion criteria

• Females between the ages of 40-75 inclusive.
• BMI 18.5 kg/m2 - 34.9 kg/m2 inclusive.
• Involuntary loss of urine (incontinence) persisting for at least 1 month as determined by a score ≥ 5 on the ICIQ-SF questionnaire at the screening visit.
• Female participant is not of child-bearing potential, defined as females who have undergone a sterilization procedure (e.g. hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation) or have been post-menopausal (natural or surgically) for at least 1 year prior to screening.

Or,

Females of child-bearing potential must have a negative baseline urine pregnancy test and agree to use a medically approved method of birth control for the duration of the study. All hormonal birth control must have been in use for a minimum of three months. Acceptable methods of birth control include:

• Hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch (Ortho Evra), vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing), injectable contraceptives (Depo-Provera, Lunelle), or hormone implant (Norplant System)
• Double-barrier method
• Intrauterine devices
• Non-heterosexual lifestyle or agrees to use contraception if planning on changing to heterosexual partner(s)
• Vasectomy of partner at least 6 months prior to screening
• Agree to keep lifestyle habits consistent (dietary habits and physical activity patterns) for the duration of the trial.
• Willing to maintain current caffeine intake. Individuals with excessive habitual caffeine intake (>3 cups coffee or >4 cups caffeinated tea per day or >2 energy drinks) will be required to reduce consumption for 2 weeks prior to baseline.
• Healthy as determined by laboratory results, medical history, and physical exam.
• Has given voluntary, written, informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the trial.
• Allergy or sensitivity to test product ingredients.
• Treatment (ie. pessary) or surgery (ie. sling, mesh) for urinary incontinence from a continence specialist (ie. urologist, urogynecologist, gynecologist) within the past 5 years.
• Treatment for overactive or neurogenic bladder in previous 3 months (ie. neuromodulation, botox).
• Initiation of pelvic floor therapy in the previous 3 months.
• Current utilization of a catheter for urination.
• Current urinary tract infection (UTI, confirmed by laboratory analysis), verbal confirmation of infection in previous 3 months or history of recurrent UTIs.
• Women who are currently taking medications for urinary incontinence/overactive bladder (see Section 6.3.1).
• Irregular menstrual periods within the previous 6 months (less than 21 or greater than 33 days between cycles).
• Women who are within 1-year postpartum.
• Genital malformation (i.e. Vaginal fistula) or vaginal and/or vulvar disorder (i.e. vulvovaginal atrophy).
• Women on hormone replacement therapy (oral or topical), unless on a stable dose for ≥6 months.
• Metal implants that may affect the DXA scan results will be assessed on case-by-case basis by the QI.
• Current, chronic constipation reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the QI.
• Current or history of diabetes.
• Current or history of bladder tumour.
• Current sexually transmitted infection (confirmed by laboratory analysis), or verbal confirmation of infection in previous 3 months.
• Current or history of liver, kidney or heart disease.
• Current or pre-existing unstable thyroid condition. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for over one year will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the QI .
• Current or history of bleeding disorders.
• Clinically significant abnormal laboratory results at screening.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol equivalent to >2 alcoholic drinks/day (average).
• Alcohol or drug abuse within the last 6 months.
• Individuals who are cognitively impaired and/or who are unable to give informed consent.
• Any autoimmune disease or immune-compromised (i.e. HIV positive, use of anti-rejection medication, rheumatoid arthritis, Hepatitis B/C positive).
• Participation in other clinical research trials one month prior to or during enrollment will be assessed case-by-case by the QI.
• Any other condition, that, in the opinion of the QI, may adversely affect the participant's ability to provide written informed consent and complete the study or its measures, or pose significant risk to the participant.