Though the cause of IBS-D is still unknown, research suggests that multiple factors — such as the gut-brain axis, abnormal muscular contractions, gut microbes, hormones and genetics — could play a role in the disease.
IBS is twice as common in women compared to men, which could be explained, in part, by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.[1] Other evidence suggests that some women with IBS-D carry a gene mutation that affects their gut-derived serotonin receptors, which could lead to abnormal motility.[2][3]
References
- ^Adeyemo MA, Spiegel BM, Chang LMeta-analysis: do irritable bowel syndrome symptoms vary between men and women?Aliment Pharmacol Ther.(2010-Sep)
- ^Fritz N, Berens S, Dong Y, Martínez C, Schmitteckert S, Houghton LA, Goebel-Stengel M, Wahl V, Kabisch M, Götze D, D'Amato M, Zheng T, Röth R, Mönnikes H, Tesarz J, Engel F, Gauss A, Raithel M, Andresen V, Keller J, Frieling T, Pehl C, Stein-Thöringer C, Clarke G, Kennedy PJ, Cryan JF, Dinan TG, Quigley EMM, Spiller R, Beltrán C, Madrid AM, Torres V, Mayer EA, Sayuk G, Gazouli M, Karamanolis G, Bustamante M, Estivil X, Rabionet R, Hoffmann P, Nöthen MM, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Schmidt B, Franke A, Lieb W, Herzog W, Boeckxstaens G, Wouters MM, Simrén M, Rappold GA, Vicario M, Santos J, Schaefert R, Lorenzo-Bermejo J, Niesler BThe serotonin receptor 3E variant is a risk factor for female IBS-D.J Mol Med (Berl).(2022-Nov)
- ^Irritable Bowel Syndrome: NIDDK; Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; cited Feb 2023