Table 2 Anticipated time to help-seeking for each symptom before and after reading the leaflet
Median anticipated time to help-seeking | Number (%) of women anticipating never seeking help for symptom | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Symptom given in the questionnaire | Time 1 (pre-intervention) | Time 2 (post-intervention) | Time 1 (pre-intervention) | Time 2 (post-intervention) |
Pelvic/abdominal pain that doesn’t go away | 1 week | 4–6 days | 11 (2 %) | 5 (1 %) |
Persistent vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odour | 1 week | 4–6 days | 26 (5 %) | 8 (2 %) |
Soreness or lump on the vulva (outer part of the vagina) | 1 week | 4–6 days | 42 (9 %) | 14 (3 %) |
Bleeding after the menopause | 2 weeks | 1 week | 32 (7 %) | 14 (3 %) |
Vaginal bleeding between periods | 2 weeks | 1 week | 20 (4 %) | 8 (2 %) |
Lower back pain that doesn’t go away | 2 weeks | 1 week | 31 (6 %) | 16 (3 %) |
Persistent diarrhoea or other changes in bowel habits | 2 weeks | 1 week | 15 (3 %) | 8 (2 %) |
Bloating / swollen tummy | 1 month | 1 week | 56 (12 %) | 20 (4 %) |
Loss of appetite / feeling full quickly | 1 month | 1 week | 81 (17 %) | 24 (5 %) |
Pain / discomfort during sex | 1 month | 1 week | 41 (9 %) | 17 (4 %) |
Needing the toilet more often or more urgently | 1 month | 1 week | 25 (5 %) | 12 (3 %) |
Longer or heavier periods than usual | 6 weeks | 1 week | 45 (9 %) | 15 (3 %) |