Table 2.

Change in rectal sensitivity (ml) with the menstrual cycle

	Menses	Follicular	Luteal	Premenstrual
1st sensation	10 (9, 10)	12 (10, 14)	12 (10, 14)	11 (10, 13)
Ratio		0.8 (0.7, 0.9)*	0.8 (0.7, 0.9)**	0.9 (0.7, 1.0)
Open bowels	22 (17, 29)	34 (26, 44)	34 (27, 43)	30 (23, 38)
Ratio		0.7 (0.5, 0.9)*	0.7 (0.5, 0.8)**	0.8 (0.6, 1.0)
Urgency	51 (39, 65)	71 (55, 91)	71 (55, 91)	75 (62, 90)
Ratio		0.7 (0.5, 0.9)*	0.7 (0.5, 0.9)*	0.7 (0.5, 0.9)**
Discomfort	117 (100, 136)	132 (116, 151)	133 (117, 152)	133 (117, 151)
Ratio		0.9 (0.8, 0.9)*	0.9 (0.8, 0.9)*	0.9 (0.8, 0.9)**

Results are expressed as geometric mean (95% confidence interval).

Ratio is menses:period concerned, where *p<0.05 and **p<0.01.