What is IBS?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    IBS is a common functional disorder of the large intestine that affects an estimated 20% of the global population, with a significant negative impact on quality of life and high co-occurrence with anxiety and depression.[1] IBS is twice as common in women compared to men, which could be explained, in part, by genetics and hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.[2]

    IBS can be classified into three different subtypes: diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C), or mixed (IBS-M). If it occurs after a gastrointestinal infection, such as food poisoning, it’s considered post-infectious IBS.[3]