The idea of IBS is often associated as a woman’s health issue. It is estimated that sixty percent of those who suffer from IBS are women. There are several reasons why more women suffer from IBS than men. These are directly linked to the different ways in which women’s bodies are built and function. This also includes the physical and emotional differences that relate to IBS.

One of the considerations that have been linked to IBS is in relation to the physical differences between men and women. The abdominal area in women is more sensitive and more linked to the brain to gut nerves than with men. Women are also known to be more sensitive in the functioning of their internal organs. These are all probably directly related to the physical causes that are linked with women and IBS and why they seem to develop it so easily.

Another physical difference between men and women involves the chemical differences that are part of IBS. For example, IBS symptoms may be stronger during menstrual bleeding because of the change in hormones and chemicals moving through the woman’s body. Some research has indicated that specific hormones in women may cause irritation in the digestive area which causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In relation to this, male hormones such as Testosterone can help prevent IBS developing. Those males who do have IBS usually have lower amounts of testosterone in their system.

Psychological factors may also relate to the differences between men and women and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Depression and stress and how they are handled are different between women and men. The nerves that are triggered from different levels of anxiety may move towards the abdomen area more freely in women than they do in men.

Men, when dealing with stress and depression, will handle specific circumstances and responses differently than women do. This is probably a factor in not causing the specific nervous reactions which is often found with IBS symptoms in women and why men do not seem to suffer from IBS as much as women do.

Some people think that the statistics relating to IBS between men and women may be false because women are generally more ready to speak to their doctor about the problem then men, therefore the statistics may be inaccurate and misleading. Women are also required to go for annual check-ups, whereas men may not be as used to visiting their doctor as frequently.

IBS in women may be caused by a variety of factors. These all relate to the functioning of a woman’s body as well as the balances within them. These directly relate to the digestive tract. Whilst men have symptoms of IBS, it is often known as a ‘woman’s health issue’ because of the larger amounts of women who report having the problems. If you are a woman with these symptoms, it is important to have your doctor look into the symptoms and prescribe the proper treatments for IBS.