Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. Therefore, IBS in Indonesian is also referred to as irritable bowel syndrome. IBS can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or a combination.
IBS is experienced more by women than men, with a 1.5 to 3 times more ratio. The appearance of IBS symptoms can be triggered by various things, including stress, the effects of consuming certain foods or drinks, to hormonal changes such as menstruation.
IBS Risk Factors
Experts still don't know the exact cause of IBS. However, several factors can increase the risk, including being a woman. Other risk factors are as follows:
- Under 50 years old.
- Have a family history of IBS.
- Have mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Common Symptoms of IBS in Women
Below are some of the symptoms of IBS that often appear in women:
1. Constipation
Constipation is one of the common symptoms of IBS. Constipation is characterized by difficulty having a bowel movement due to hard, dry, and difficult stools to flow. Research says constipation is more common in women and is often associated with abdominal pain and bloating.
2. Diarrhea
IBS with diarrhea, also called IBS-D, appears more common in men. However, women often experience more severe diarrhea right before their menstrual period begins.
3. Bloating
Bloating is also one of the common symptoms of IBS. Bloating can cause a feeling of tightness in the upper abdomen and a feeling of being full quickly when you eat. Bloating is also often an early symptom of menstruation.
Women with IBS are more likely to experience bloating at certain menstrual phases. Certain gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis, can also worsen bloating symptoms.
4. Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary or unintentional loss of urine. In other terms, it is also called urine leakage. Urinary incontinence is part of the lower urinary tract disorders and can occur for various reasons.
Based on a study in 2010, it is known that women with IBS are more likely to have this condition. Some common symptoms are frequent urination, pain, nocturia, or excessive urination at night.
Urinary incontinence is also referred to as urine leakage
5. Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Evidence shows that women with IBS are more likely to have pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues that support the organs around the pelvis become weak and lax.
This leads to the organs around the pelvis getting out of where they should be. Some types of pelvic organ prolapse are vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, and urethral prolapse. Chronic constipation and diarrhea can also increase the risk of this condition.
6. Menstrual symptoms are getting worse
Women with IBS report experiencing more severe menstrual symptoms. In addition, IBS symptoms can also get worse at certain phases of the menstrual cycle. So the relationship is two-way. Hormonal fluctuations that occur are responsible for this condition.
IBS diagnosis
Based on medical history, a person will be diagnosed with IBS if they experience:
- Abdominal pain symptoms have persisted at least one day per week for the past three months.
- Pain and discomfort that subsides after having a bowel movement.
- Consistent change in frequency of bowel movements.
- Presence of mucus in the stool.
Although IBS also affects men, some symptoms are only present or are more severe in women. Female reproductive hormones most likely cause this. A combination of lifestyle changes, home remedies, and medical treatment can help manage IBS symptoms.
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Source:
Santos-Longhurst, A. & Sethi, S. (2019). Common IBS Symptoms in Females. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/ibs-symptoms-in-females