Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Female Patients

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2016 Jun;45(2):179-204. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2016.02.001.

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome is probably the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder and is characterized by abdominal pain along with altered bowel function. It is a disorder of female predominance. This article focuses on how being female influences the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and treatment of this common disorder and discusses the evidence and important controversies related to these areas.

Keywords: Constipation; Diarrhea; Diet; Female gender; Irritable bowel syndrome; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Abdominal Pain / therapy*
  • Antidiarrheals / therapeutic use*
  • Constipation / diagnosis
  • Constipation / etiology
  • Constipation / therapy*
  • Diarrhea / diagnosis
  • Diarrhea / etiology
  • Diarrhea / therapy*
  • Diet Therapy*
  • Diet, Gluten-Free
  • Dietary Fiber / therapeutic use
  • Exercise Therapy*
  • Female
  • Fermentation
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / complications
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / therapy*
  • Laxatives / therapeutic use*
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Parasympatholytics / therapeutic use*
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Sleep
  • Women*

Substances

  • Antidiarrheals
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Laxatives
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Parasympatholytics