Do Women Have More Digestive Issues Than Men?

Digestive problems are difficult for any person to deal with. It might not seem like much at first, but it quickly turns into something that can ruin the entire day. Although men and women have their fair share of digestive issues, women are more likely to come down with something. Why is this the case? There are a few factors that go into it.

Hormones

Woman know all too well about all of the issues hormones can cause. Not only can they do damage to the face with acne and cause significant mood swings, they can mess with the entire body, and the gut is no exception. There’ are good and bad bacteria in a woman’s gut at all times. When the bad bacteria start to take over, this is when digestive issues start to pop up. The best way to treat these issues is to use some type of probiotic to balance out the hormones and pH levels as much as possible. It might not have an immediate impact, but if taken proactively it can help avoid gut issues.

Different Guts for Different Sexes

The female colon is roughly 10 cm longer than the male colon. Considering it’s usually in a smaller body, it’s easy to see that there are many more twists and turns in a female’s body. This can lead to some different gut issues for women, even if they eat the same exact thing as men.

Stress

Both sexes deal with plenty of stress, but in particular, studies show that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is much more likely to affect women instead of men. Even if a woman’s stress level is relatively low, they are still at risk of IBS when things do get tough. There is no real way to fight against IBS, other than to do as much self-care as possible. That means attempting to lower stress levels as much as possible and cutting out foods that might make IBS a little bit more likely. Dairy products, gluten, and sugar all contribute to IBS in some way. It’s important to stay on top of any issues, because it can get worse if untreated. Sometimes IBS goes away on its own, but it is often recommended to see a doctor if the symptoms progress for a few days. They can prescribe medication to help with the issue.

Dealing With Public Perception

When men have gut issues, most don’t seem to care that much. One of the best ways to provide self-care is to pass gas and make trips to the bathroom when necessary. Men don’t seem to have as much of a problem with that as women. As a society, dealing with or talking about digestive issues is somewhat of a no-no for women. Some women are even afraid to talk about their gut issues with their doctors. It isn’t fair, but thankfully things are changing. There shouldn’t be a stigma attached to digestive issues, simply because it can often happen for no apparent reason.