IBS is one of the most common reasons for work or school absenteeism, second only to the common cold -- people with IBS miss 3-4 times as many work days annually as the national average of 5 days
Among women, IBS is most prevalent during menstruation years, with symptoms being most severe during postovulatory and premenstrual phases
Studies have found that over 50% of patients seeing a gynecologist for lower abdominal pain have IBS
Women with IBS are more likely than women with other bowel symptoms to ultimately be diagnosed with endometriosis
Women with IBS are three times more likely to receive a hysterectomy than women without IBS
Many individuals with IBS also suffer from non-GI symptoms – 2/3rds of IBS patients report rheumatological symptoms, such as skin rashes, muscle contraction headache and myalgias
Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome occurs in up to 60% of IBS patients; up to 70% of patients with a diagnosis of FM have symptoms of IBS
Menstruation is associated with exacerbation of IBS symptoms in the majority of women
Pregnancy appears to improve IBS symptoms temporarily for many women
Oral estrogen and progesterone supplements do not seem to have any effect on IBS symptom levels
Irregular menses have no association with IBS symptom severity
Hysterectomy or tubal ligation appear to have little effect on IBS severity
Endometriosis increases bloating symptoms but not other symptoms in IBS women
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