Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHormones and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Managing SymptomsImproving Gut HormonesWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Hormones and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Managing Symptoms
Improving Gut Hormones
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Hormonal balance can also play a role in regulating gut health. Hormonal imbalances or fluctuations may increase some gastrointestinal symptoms, such as symptoms ofirritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
This article explains how hormonal changes influence gastrointestinal symptoms. It also covers treatment options and when to see a healthcare provider.
Bundit Binsuk / EyeEm /Getty Images
Research suggests that hormones can influence both symptom severity and pain sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Fluctuations in sex hormones, in particular the fluctuations ofestrogenin women, can contribute to symptom severity in IBS.
The influence of estrogen on gastrointestinal symptoms is thought to play a role in why rates of IBS are two to three times higher among women than among men.
Sex-related differences in IBS are evident from adolescence with the onset of menstruation, and they last until a person’s mid-40s. Researchers have observed that women tend to experience improvements in their IBS symptoms duringmenopausewhen hormonal fluctuations stop.
Both female and male hormones can influence the level of pain sensitivity and inflammation in the intestine, but fluctuations of female hormones seem to have a bigger impact.Other hormones likecortisol(the stress hormone) andcholecystokinin(a hunger hormone that regulates the gut) may also play a role.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms to Never Ignore
Menstruation
There are two main hormones associated with menstruation—estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones do not just affect the sex organs. There are receptor cells for these hormones throughout your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This’s why many women—even those without IBS—experience digestive symptoms related to their menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle can be broken up into two main stages:
Possible GI symptoms that may be more severe during the luteal phase and the first few days of your menstrual period include:
Why Your Period May Make IBS Worse
Pregnancy
The hormonal changes that occur inpregnancycan impact both digestion and other functions of the GI system. This can cause a variety of symptoms.
Possible symptoms include:
Vomiting may occur in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy when morning sickness is most likely.
In pregnancy, hormonal changes cause the muscles between the stomach and the esophagus to relax. This can cause heartburn. By the third trimester of pregnancy, half of all expectant mothers will experience heartburn.
Changes in hormones may also impact the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause a slowing of bowel movements and can result in constipation.
Perimenopause
The time before menopause, calledperimenopause, can trigger hormonal fluctuations that are different than a standard menstrual cycle.
The hormonal fluctuations that can occur during perimenopause differ for everyone, but significant fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone may trigger an increase in IBS symptoms, like constipation and diarrhea.
Menopause
During menopause, the levels of estrogen hormones decrease, and the levels of the stress hormone cortisol increase.
Studies on the relationship between IBS and menopause have yielded mixed results. Research indicates that the prevalence of IBS symptoms decreases for women after the age of 40 or 45—a decrease not seen in men.
However, the rise in stress hormones and general age-related slowdowns may lead to changes in the function of the GI system. That, in turn, leads to an increase in IBS symptoms.
The Link Between Menopause and IBS Symptoms
Hormonal Birth Control
Birth control pills use synthetic estrogen and progesterone to reduce the ability to become pregnant. These synthetic hormones can reduce the hormone fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle. However, research on hormonal birth control’s effect on IBS symptoms is inconclusive.
Anecdotally, many women have reported that taking birth control pills helped their IBS, while others have said that their IBS worsened when they started taking an oral contraceptive.
Does the Pill Affect IBS?
Coping with IBS symptoms in addition to hormonal symptoms will vary based on individual experience.
For managing stomach pain, treatment options may involve:
For constipation, possible management strategies include:
For diarrhea, treatment options include:
The endocrine system, which creates hormones, has an important role in the function of the body.
There are a number of ways to keep the endocrine system healthy and functioning well. These include:
If you have IBS and are dealing with more pronounced symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations or if you’ve taken medication for GI symptoms for two weeks and haven’t seen any improvement, you should see your healthcare provider.
You should also see your healthcare provider straight away if you have any of the following:
Do You Get Rashes With Your Period? It Could be Progesterone Hypersensitivity
Summary
Hormones can affect a variety of things in the body, including the gut. Some hormonal changes can cause an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms, especially if you have IBS. Hormone changes may occur due to menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and being on birth control.
Managing symptoms can include medication or self-care remedies like staying hydrated and using a hot water bottle. If symptoms worsen or you have other symptoms like bleeding from the rectum or unintended weight loss, you should speak to your healthcare provider.
A Word From Verywell
Hormones keep our body functioning optimally, but sometimes they can also trigger some unpleasant symptoms. If you have IBS or another GI condition, the hormone changes that occur during menstruation or pregnancy (and other life changes) can trigger an uptick in your GI symptoms.
This can be frustrating, painful, and embarrassing, but remember that there’s help available. If you’re concerned about any symptoms you’re experiencing, speak with your healthcare provider. They can help you find an appropriate treatment plan and set you on a path to feeling better.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHormones can become out of balance. This can cause health problems, including infertility, diabetes, weakened bones, and weight changes.Possible symptoms that may indicate a problem with hormones include:Menstrual irregularity or changesHair changesWeight changes that have no explanationHot flashesThere are a number of hormones involved in digestion. These include gut hormones like:Chromogranin AChromogranin BGlucagonSomatostatinGastrinPancreatic polypeptideVascoactive intestinal polypeptideIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a variety of symptoms. These include:ConstipationDiarrheaCrampsBloatingStomach painFatigueMucus in stoolsFlatulenceNauseaDifficulties with urinationBack painBowel incontinence
Hormones can become out of balance. This can cause health problems, including infertility, diabetes, weakened bones, and weight changes.Possible symptoms that may indicate a problem with hormones include:Menstrual irregularity or changesHair changesWeight changes that have no explanationHot flashes
Hormones can become out of balance. This can cause health problems, including infertility, diabetes, weakened bones, and weight changes.
Possible symptoms that may indicate a problem with hormones include:
There are a number of hormones involved in digestion. These include gut hormones like:Chromogranin AChromogranin BGlucagonSomatostatinGastrinPancreatic polypeptideVascoactive intestinal polypeptide
There are a number of hormones involved in digestion. These include gut hormones like:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a variety of symptoms. These include:ConstipationDiarrheaCrampsBloatingStomach painFatigueMucus in stoolsFlatulenceNauseaDifficulties with urinationBack painBowel incontinence
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause a variety of symptoms. These include:
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Endocrine system.Mulak A, Taché Y, Larauche M.Sex hormones in the modulation of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(10):2433-2448. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i10.2433Buckley MM, O’Mahony SM, O’Malley D.Convergence of neuro-endocrine-immune pathways in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(27):8846-8858. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8846International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.IBS in women.UTSouthwestern Medical Center.4 common pregnancy-related GI issues, and when to call the doctor.Jean Hailes.Perimenopause: how to manage the change before ‘The Change’.Cedars Sinai.Menopause.Im EO, Kim G, Choi M, Chee W.Gastrointestinal symptoms in four major racial/ethnic groups of midlife women: race/ethnicity and menopausal status.Menopause. 2021;29(2):156-163. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001898Kim YS, Kim N.Sex-gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;24(4):544-558. doi:10.5056/jnm18082National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).Healthdirect Australia.Abdominal pain.Better Health Channel.Constipation.Healthdirect Australia.Diarrhoea.Stanford Health Care.Treatments for Chronic Nausea.TeensHealth.Endocrine system.Merck Manual.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.What is IBS?.Cleveland Clinic.Do you need hormone testing?National Health Service (UK).Gut hormones (gastrin, glucagon, VIP, PP).National Health Service (UK).Symptoms Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Endocrine system.Mulak A, Taché Y, Larauche M.Sex hormones in the modulation of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(10):2433-2448. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i10.2433Buckley MM, O’Mahony SM, O’Malley D.Convergence of neuro-endocrine-immune pathways in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(27):8846-8858. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8846International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.IBS in women.UTSouthwestern Medical Center.4 common pregnancy-related GI issues, and when to call the doctor.Jean Hailes.Perimenopause: how to manage the change before ‘The Change’.Cedars Sinai.Menopause.Im EO, Kim G, Choi M, Chee W.Gastrointestinal symptoms in four major racial/ethnic groups of midlife women: race/ethnicity and menopausal status.Menopause. 2021;29(2):156-163. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001898Kim YS, Kim N.Sex-gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;24(4):544-558. doi:10.5056/jnm18082National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).Healthdirect Australia.Abdominal pain.Better Health Channel.Constipation.Healthdirect Australia.Diarrhoea.Stanford Health Care.Treatments for Chronic Nausea.TeensHealth.Endocrine system.Merck Manual.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.What is IBS?.Cleveland Clinic.Do you need hormone testing?National Health Service (UK).Gut hormones (gastrin, glucagon, VIP, PP).National Health Service (UK).Symptoms Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
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Jean Hailes.Perimenopause: how to manage the change before ‘The Change’.
Cedars Sinai.Menopause.
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Kim YS, Kim N.Sex-gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;24(4):544-558. doi:10.5056/jnm18082
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Healthdirect Australia.Diarrhoea.
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TeensHealth.Endocrine system.
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International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.What is IBS?.
Cleveland Clinic.Do you need hormone testing?
National Health Service (UK).Gut hormones (gastrin, glucagon, VIP, PP).
National Health Service (UK).Symptoms Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
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