Mediaplanet: Did You Know Women are 2x More Likely to Have IBS Than Men?

CDHF

Written by: CDHF

Updated: October 26th, 2022

Our executive director, Kelsey Cheyne spoke with Mediaplanet about the steps women can take to manage their IBS in their 2019 Women’s Health Campaign.

The occasional bloat or watery poop is nothing to worry about. But if consistent belly pain, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation are getting in the way of you living your best life — you could have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The good news — IBS is manageable. Each person may be different in terms of what works and what doesn’t!

1. First, try changing up your diet

Try slowly increasing dietary fibre by two to four grams per day to promote soft, painless stools and drink six to eight glasses of fluids per day.

2. Break up with stress

The gut and the brain are constantly communicating with each other, often leading to the first onset of symptoms or aggravating symptoms you’re already having.

3. Try the low FODMAP diet

A diet that reduces the intake of high FODMAP foods and manages the total FODMAP load at each meal may help to relieve your IBS symptoms.

4. Test out a probiotic

If other dietary strategies haven’t been successful in relieving your symptoms, a probiotic may be helpful.

It’s important to note that there are medications approved in Canada for IBS (over the counter or prescription) that can help your symptoms. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or dietician about what could be helpful for you.

View the full mediaplanet article on IBS and women here.

View the full mediaplanet Women’s Health campaign here.

Related Articles:

View all News & Articles

low fodmap drink

What can you Drink on the Low FODMAP Diet?

celiac disease vs ibs webinar

IBS vs Celiac Disease Webinar

dysbiosis

IBS: What’s Dysbiosis Got to Do with It?

IBS Awareness Month

Girl looking on phone

Call for Study Participants: Using the LyfeMD application to support the management of IBS

IBS Toolkit for the Newly Diagnosed

woman holding her temples due to stress

IBS and Stress: Is There a Link?

girl on computer for Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for IBS

medications for IBS

Medications and Supplements for IBS

man looking at recipe for IBS foods to make

IBS and Diet

Toilet paper with smiley face

Is my Poop Healthy/Normal?

woman laying down with hurt stomach

Why Does My Stomach Hurt?

myIBS App Survey

Donate to the myIBS App

Nutrition and diet consultation at home

CDHF Partners with NutriProCan IBS Program Designed to Relieve or Resolve IBS Symptoms

Man sitting on toilet, frustrated with IBS

What does IBS-C feel like? How do I know If I have IBS-C?

How to Treat and Manage IBS-C

Women looking up with question marks above her head

Dysbiosis and IBS

Peppermint

Peppermint Fixes More Than Just Bad Breath

Women lying on pillow holding stomach in pain

Managing IBS

Toilet paper roling on a green background

Understanding IBS

Healthy foods laid out on table

Evidence Based Ways to Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Pink suitcase with microbe background

IBS Survival Guide

Mediaplanet: Did You Know Women are 2x More Likely to Have IBS Than Men?

Couple on a date

Dating with IBS

yoga class

The Importance of Managing Stress for People who Suffer from IBS

Women pondering with question marks

Top IBS Questions: Answered!

Women shaking her head

Think You May Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Hand squeezing a grapefruit

Diets Used for IBS

How to Find Functional Foods with Added Probiotics

Women holding her stomach in the bathroom with toilet paper in her hand

Women and IBS

Women talking to another women in an office with a lot of windows

Mental Health, IBS and Removing the Stigma

Women and male bathroom stall

Managing your Digestive Health in the Workplace Webinar

How to Manage IBS Animation

CDHF Talks: IBS and the Gut Microbiome

Hands on top of other hands supporting one another

IBS, IBD & Mental Health Webinar

Beginning frame of Living with IBS Animation

Living Positively with IBS Animation

Doctors smiling and shaking hands

Understanding IBS-D Webinar

white toilet on pink background

Living Positively with IBS-M

Women looking at her clothes in her closet

Dressing with IBS and other Digestive Health Issues

Green toilet paper on a purple microbe background

Why does IBS Affect more Women than Men?

Pink pills on a blue background

Did You Know That Some Probiotics May Help With IBS?

Candy

Trick or Treating Safely with Digestive Conditions

Toilet paper with flowers

Could I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? 5 Questions to Discuss

Individually prepped meals

What I Eat in a Day with Celiac Disease & IBS

Women speaking to collegue in an office

Tool Kit for Educating your Employer on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Toilet paper rolling out with a purple background

Why is there Blood in my Stool? Rectal Bleeding

Someone counselling an individual

Long Term Benefits of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for IBS

Man clutching stomach

How a Gut Infection can Lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

lab dishes

A New Bacterium on the Block: How Brachyspira may be a factor for IBS

How to use CDHF’s myIBS App

Fecal calprotectin stool test

What is the Fecal Calprotectin Test?

sign that says keep moving forward outside

My Long-Complicated Journey with my Gut and IBS-C

Writing in notebook at a desk

My Experience with IBS-C as a Registered Dietitian

Hands circling around the gut

IBS, The Microbiome and a Novel Virtual Tool

celiac vs ibs

Celiac Disease vs IBS

Couple making pasta

Managing IBS is a Pain in the Butt!

Work colleagues

IBS Doesn’t Work at Work

Women drinking wine with pink microbe background

Alcohol and IBS

peppermint

Patient Experiences using IBgard to Combat Symptoms of IBS

stack of toilet paper

TRULANCE® (plecanatide tablets) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation in Adults Is now Available to Canadians

Bio-K+ IBS Pro – CDHF Certified Product

IB Gard box on kitchen counter

IBgard® – CDHF Certified Product