IBS-C is a subtype of <a href="/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/" class="popover" data-tooltip="<div><h6>Irritable Bowel Syndrome</h6><p><em>Irritable Bowel Syndrome</em> (IBS) is a common functional disorder of the large intestine characterized by long-term changes in bowel habits (e.g., frequent diarrhea or constipation) and abdominal pain. The exact causes are unknown, but research suggests that multiple factors —...</p></div>">IBS characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and straining to pass stool. Approximately one-third of IBS sufferers have IBS-C, and women are much more likely than men to fit the criteria of IBS-C.<a href="#ref-1" id="ref-link-1" class="ref-link popover" data-tooltip='<div><p class="mb-3">Shang X, et al. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35745212" target="\_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effectiveness and Safety of Probiotics for Patients with Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled Trials.</a></p>Nutrients (2022-Jun-15)</div>'> [1] IBS-C is associated with <a href="/conditions/anxiety/" class="popover" data-tooltip="<div><h6>Anxiety</h6><p>Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders characterized by symptoms of excessive anxiety and/or fear. Anxiety itself, unlike fear, is persistent and future oriented. There are many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobia...</p></div>">anxiety , but unlike IBS-D, it isn’t linked to depression .<a href="#ref-2" id="ref-link-2" class="ref-link popover" data-tooltip='<div><p class="mb-3">Fond G, et al. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24705634" target="\_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anxiety and depression comorbidities in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a systematic review and meta-analysis</a></p>Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci (2014 Dec)</div>'> [2]

What is IBS-C?

Written by:

Gabrielle Fundaro

Fact-checked

by:

Louie Neri, Jeremy A. Alland

•Last Updated: May 16, 2025

IBS-C is a subtype of irritable bowel syndrome that is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and difficulty passing stool; it affects approximately one-third of people with IBS and has a higher prevalence in women. It is associated with anxiety but not with depression, which distinguishes it from IBS-D.

Last Updated:May 16, 2025

IBS-C is a subtype of IBS characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and straining to pass stool. Approximately one-third of IBS sufferers have IBS-C, and women are much more likely than men to fit the criteria of IBS-C.^[1] IBS-C is associated with anxiety, but unlike IBS-D, it isn’t linked to depression.^[2]

What is IBS-C?

References