4 Things I Tell Every Woman With IBS | The Gut Insiders Episode 21

Why does IBS get worse at the same time every month? Women are about two-thirds more likely than men to be diagnosed with IBS and twice as likely to have constipation. Stress plays a part, but it doesn’t explain a monthly pattern. In this episode of The Gut Insiders, gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz (Dr. B) and Chuck Carroll explain how estrogen and progesterone change gut sensitivity and gut motility across the menstrual cycle, what changes at menopause and with HRT, and four evidence-based ways to calm IBS and constipation symptoms. We started with a comment from a viewer. Her doctor told her that her IBS was caused by stress, so why did it flare at the same point in her cycle every month? In this episode: Why IBS and constipation are more common in women IBS-C, IBS-D and IBS-M explained A new study in Science (in mice) showing that estrogen raises gut sensitivity through peptide YY (PYY) and gut serotonin How progesterone slows gut transit in the second half of the cycle (21 hours vs. 41 hours in one human study) Why periods bring cramping and looser stools (prostaglandins plus falling hormone levels) IBS after menopause, and what a large UK study found in women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) How estrogen supports the gut microbiome and gut barrier 4 things that help: cycle tracking, a temporary low FODMAP diet, slow-fermenting soluble fiber, and enteric-coated peppermint oil Chapters 0:00 A woman’s gut is tuned to hear more 0:15 The viewer comment: why does my IBS follow my cycle? 1:16 Rapid-fire gut check 2:31 Do women really get IBS more than men? 4:09 Constipation is twice as common in women 5:06 IBS-C, IBS-D and IBS-M explained 7:06 The Science study: estrogen turns up the volume 9:03 Peptide YY, gut serotonin and pain nerves 13:39 Body fat, estrogen and gut sensitivity 14:39 Should we block estrogen? How alosetron works 17:48 How the menstrual cycle changes gut symptoms 19:37 Progesterone slows the gut 21:46 Period symptoms: cramping and looser stools 24:21 IBS after menopause 25:26 HRT and IBS: the UK study 29:29 Estrogen and the gut microbiome 30:51 Tip 1: Track your cycle and your symptoms 32:45 Tip 2: Low FODMAP, but only for a while 35:46 Tip 3: Slow-fermenting soluble fiber (psyllium, kiwi, butyrate) 39:41 Tip 4: Enteric-coated peppermint oil 43:50 Rapid-fire gut check revisited 45:15 The takeaway Products mentioned Dr. B co-founded 38TERA and formulated its products. The episode mentions DMN (Daily Microbiome Nutrition), a low FODMAP, slow-fermenting prebiotic, and BDR (Bloating & Digestive Relief), which combines peppermint oil and a probiotic in one enteric-coated capsule. 👉 https://38tera.com/chuck Dr. B's new book, "Plant Powered Plus," is available now: https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Powered-... Subscribe to The Gut Insiders wherever you get your podcasts: 🍎 https://apple.co/4qqHK33 🟢 https://bit.ly/4q93399 Follow Dr. B on Instagram:   / theguthealthmd   Learn more about the evidence-based gut health formulas in 38TERA: https://38tera.com