Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common problem that a\ufb00ects the gut. Symptoms can include abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and a change in bowel habit \u2013 these are symptoms that people without IBS can experience from time to time, but with IBS they tend to be more frequent and more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IBS can start at any age, often in early adulthood, and it\u2019s usually a long\u00adterm condition. The exact cause is unknown, but it has been linked to genes, diet and infection, and is often associated with times of stress or life changes. IBS is twice as common in women as it is in men [1].<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RELATED: Irritable bowel bloating and digestive health with the gut experts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already have IBS, your symptoms may become exacerbated by the hormonal changes during the perimenopause or menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study also found that postmenopausal women with IBS have more severe IBS symptoms that premenopausal women, while no comparable age-related changes were seen in men who had IBS. This suggests that the effect of oestradiol (a form of oestrogen) and progesterone on modulating the brain-gut interactions could be a contributing factor [2].<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there is no one diet or medicine that works for everyone, lifestyle and diet changes can have an impact. People with IBS usually \ufb01nd a low FODMAP diet very helpful. It means avoiding foods high in certain sugars (carbohydrates) that are hard to digest, including some fruits, vegetables, cereals and dairy foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IBS Network has an Eatwell Guide that offers guidance on healthy eating and how to have a rich and varied diet while minimising gut discomfort [3]. It\u2019s also important to keep hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol, fizzy drinks, tea and coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: bowel problems in the menopause<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If diet changes don\u2019t help your symptoms, consult your GP. Similarly, see your GP if you have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. NICE guidance: Irritable Bowel Syndrome in adults<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Lenhart A, Naliboff B, Shih W, Gupta A, Tillisch K, Liu C, Mayer EA, Chang L. 2020, \u2018Postmenopausal women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have more severe symptoms than premenopausal women with IBS\u2019, Neurogastroenterol Motil<\/em>. 32(10):e13913. doi: 10.1111\/nmo.13913<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. The IBS Network: so what can I eat?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow is IBS linked to the menopause?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How can I treat IBS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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