Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects the colon, causing discomfort and problems with bowel movements. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. However, symptoms can manifest differently in women.
For some women, symptoms can start suddenly and come and go, often feeling intense during an attack but easing between episodes. Others may notice that their symptoms start slowly and get worse over time. Many women with IBS also have worse symptoms during menstruation.
Women and men can have the same symptoms of digestive problems and irregularities. The exact IBS symptoms you experience can vary greatly from person to person. Regardless of sex or gender, symptoms can include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Diarrhea (frequent loose or watery stools)
- Constipation (rare hard or lumpy stools)
- Alternating diarrhea and constipation
- Urgency to have a bowel movement
- Bloating and gas
- A feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowels
- Mucus in the stool
- Nausea
- Fatigue or a general feeling of being unwell
These symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency. Their impact on daily life can be significant, making it necessary to manage IBS with appropriate strategies and treatments.
Symptoms by type
There are several types of IBS, based on symptoms. Here are the symptoms a woman (or man) may experience with each type:
- IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D): People with IBS-D have loose or watery stools more often. This type of IBS is often accompanied by abdominal cramps and urgency (a sudden need to have a bowel movement).
- IBS with constipation (IBS-C): People with IBS-C have a hard time making a bowel movement, and when they do, the stool is usually hard or lumpy. This type of IBS can lead to discomfort and bloating, and you may also strain during bowel movements.
- IBS with mixed symptoms (IBS-M): IBS-M includes a mixture of diarrhea and constipation. People with this type may alternate between periods of diarrhea and constipation, which can make management more complex. In some cases, diarrhea and constipation can occur during the same bowel movement.
- IBS unclassified (IBS-U): This category is used when symptoms do not fit neatly into other types of IBS.
While women and men may have similar symptoms, the way they experience them may differ, in part due to physiological factors. Female sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, affect gut motility (the movement of food through the digestive tract) and pain perception, contributing to IBS symptoms.
Here are some of the ways that IBS symptoms can be different in women:
- Women are more likely to have IBS-C.
- Women with IBS report higher levels of fatigue, depression, anxiety and lower quality of life compared to men.
- Women often have more severe abdominal pain and constipation, while men more often report diarrhea-related symptoms.
Hormones can affect when a woman experiences her symptoms. Women often report worsening IBS symptoms during menstruation due to hormonal fluctuations. Women who have gone through menopause may also experience a change in the severity of their IBS symptoms.
Women are also more likely to experience overlapping chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
These gender differences in IBS symptoms emphasize the importance of a tailored approach to the diagnosis and treatment of IBS in women.
IBS can affect people of all ages, including children. Approximately 14% of middle school students and 6% of high school students reported having IBS-like symptoms.
Girls and boys are usually equally affected, with similar symptoms. IBS in children can cause a range of symptoms that affect daily activities and general well-being. Symptoms are similar to those in adults and may include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Bloating and gas
- diarrhea
- Prison
- Alternating between diarrhea and constipation
- Mucus in the stool
- A feeling that they have not finished having a bowel movement
These symptoms can vary in severity and frequency, affecting the child’s comfort and quality of life.
Girls and teenage girls who have started menstruating may experience worsening IBS symptoms during menstruation, such as more severe abdominal pain, increased bloating, and more frequent bowel movements.
You should see a health care professional if you have any symptoms of IBS. Whether or not you’ve already been diagnosed with IBS, you should see a doctor if you’ve had any long-term changes in your bowel habits.
Bloody stools and unintentional weight loss are not part of IBS. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor to determine the cause.
IBS is a group of digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits. Women and men can have the same symptoms of IBS, but women may experience symptoms at a different rate or severity.
Women may experience severe abdominal pain and constipation more often than men. IBS symptoms can be affected by hormonal fluctuations, with symptoms often worsening during menstruation.