Common Women’s Digestive Issues & Treatments

Women are 2-6 times more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and twice as likely to have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to men.

Gastrointestinal issues (GI) are much more common in women due to a multitude of differences in physical makeup, from slower gastric emptying and different enzyme systems to hormone-related symptoms that occur during menstruation and menopause.

Here’s a breakdown of common digestive issues in women, what causes them, and how to handle it.

Why GI Issues Are More Common in Women

Women are more likely to experience GI issues such as:

• IBS
• Constipation
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Gallstones

Females have more organs in the lower part of the abdomen for reproduction that are next to the colon and small intestine, which causes their digestive systems to operate slightly differently than men.

Moreover, certain surgeries like cesarean sections, hysterectomies, and ovarian surgeries can also result in GI issues, often due to pelvic floor dysfunction that is common in women who have been pregnant and given vaginal birth.

Pelvic floor dysfunction may lead to symptoms like lower abdominal pain, lack of bowel control, constipation, prolapse, and problems with the elimination of stool. 

How Menstrual Cycles and Menopause Affect Your Stomach

The hormonal fluctuations that women undergo have a direct impact on gastrointestinal processes. For example, periods often come with increased visceral (organ) sensitivity, making your stomach more sensitive to pain.

Moreover, during your period, your body secretes a compound called prostaglandin. Prostaglandins force the uterus to contract in order to help shed the lining. However, they also cause nearby organs to contract, resulting in symptoms like diarrhea and cramping.

There are also increased levels of progesterone during other phases of the cycle that relaxes your muscles and may result in constipation and bloating. 

Common GI Issues And Treatment Options

Chronic Constipation

Chronic constipation is common in women because female large intestines empty at a slower rate than men (though the difference dwindles with age). Eating a high fiber diet, staying adequately hydrated, and exercising regularly can help reduce constipation.

You can also take over-the-counter medications like laxatives or stool softeners to alleviate symptoms. If these methods don’t seem to be working, consult with your doctor for additional testing or medications.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a chronic condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Patients with IBS are hyper-sensitive to irritants that do not normally bother other people.

Research on IBS shows that emotional stress can worsen IBS, meaning that part of controlling IBS is learning how to regulate your stress and emotional state. That said, IBS isn’t a “functional” problem, which is good news; there’s nothing “wrong” with the stomach and there isn’t any damage to the intestinal lining.

There isn’t any specific treatment for IBS other than lifestyle changes, a low FODMAP diet, and coping strategies for life stressors. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD is twice as frequently found in women than men. Both Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis fall under the IBD umbrella, and women may experience a less serious course of Cohn’s, particularly if they’ve birthed several children.

The hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout pregnancy may improve the disease or make it worse at random. Symptoms include weight loss, blood in the stool, anemia, and diarrhea.

Doctors typically diagnose this disease after a colonoscopy and then review biopsy specimens. Treatment varies, but generally takes the form of long-term medications, many of which you can take during pregnancy to alleviate symptoms.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the third most prevalent cancer for women in the U.S. Women should follow current guidelines and start being screened at age 50. Women with a family history of the disease should consult with their doctors and potentially be screened at more frequent intervals and at an earlier age. Patients need to discuss screening options with their doctor to establish optimal screening options.

Common Stomach Problems In Women

Gastroparesis

One key reason why women tend to experience more bloating and nausea than men is that their stomachs empty slower.

Specific conditions like infections, diabetes, prior stomach surgeries, and low thyroid levels can damage nerves responsible for emptying the stomach and result in a condition known as gastroparesis. Some common symptoms of gastroparesis are abdominal bloating, fullness, and weight loss.

Your doctor may test you for the diagnosis, and prescribe eating more frequent, smaller meals with a lower fat content to aid digestion.

Gastritis

Gastritis refers to the inflammation of the stomach, which may be caused by frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin. Women are more likely to use these medications than men for various reasons (such as period pain) and over time, these medications may irritate the stomach lining and result in ulcers.

Luckily, there are new types of medications with similar effects as NSAIDs, like COX-2 inhibitors, which may be less harsh on the GI tract (though may be linked to a higher rate in heart attacks). If you take NSAIDs frequently, you should talk to your doctor about protecting your stomach.