Certain digestive health conditions are more common in women than men. This blog explains why, and which gut-disorder symptoms women should watch for.

Men might have a few inches on women when measuring for average height, but when it comes to the length of the small intestine, women have more guts, by almost a foot.

This can come with its downsides.

Read our patients stories here. 

Nearly 65% of women experience symptoms associated with GI disorders, research shows, and the female anatomy explains why. In addition to having longer intestines, women tend to be innately more sensitive to changes in their bodies, including gastrointestinal symptoms, according to a story in Time.

This does not mean women are doomed to simply “live with” the discomfort of GI issues. The same factors that contribute to a woman’s susceptibility to digestive problems also can inform decisions regarding prevention and care. We’re here to help.

Let’s get started by reviewing those GI-related factors.

Why Women Are More Prone to Feel Symptoms of Gut Disorders

Several unique characteristics of a woman’s physiology can raise the risk of her developing GI issues. Following are several of those differences, starting with the small intestine.

A longer gastrointestinal tract. Researchers believe the average woman’s small intestine, at 23 feet 4 inches, is longer so it can absorb more nutrients during pregnancy. This also means food takes more time to transit through the GI tract, which can contribute to gastrointestinal problems.

Mouth-to-gut hypersensitivity. The female body’s keen perception of GI issues is not limited to the intestines. Research shows it begins in their tongues, which can taste bitter and sweet foods more strongly than men. Women are more likely to be classified as “supertasters” as a result, the American College of Gastroenterology reports. This sensitivity to various stimuli carries on throughout the GI tract.

Interference by reproductive hormones. The female hormones estrogen and progesterone cling to the receptors in the GI tract, stimulating a response. By reacting to the hormones, the receptors might heighten pain sensitivity, slow digestion, and promote inflammation. For this reason, women might experience flareups of certain conditions during menstruation or pregnancy.

A more responsive immune system. The body’s natural ability to fight off viruses and bacteria is more easily switched on in women than in men, exposing women to the risk of autoimmune diseases. Researchers believe chromosomal and hormonal differences contribute to this likelihood.

Altered gut-brain interactions. It’s those hormones again. Researchers theorize that estrogen- brain-gut interactions contribute to certain digestive issues in women because estrogen receptors exist throughout the brain and might influence other, pain-processing receptors. This connection might relate to how women experience GI conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

6 Gut Conditions More Common in Women Than Men 

Following are specific gut conditions more common in women, along with symptoms to watch for and treatment options.

1. Irritable bowel disease – (IBD) – IBD (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) occurs when the immune system attacks cells in the bowel and causes its lining to inflame. It affects twice as many women as men, and can be progressive, so seek a diagnosis early. Symptoms include: A frequent and acute need to go to the bathroom, abdominal cramping, bloody diarrhea or loose stools, and joint pain (in Crohn’s disease). Treatments: Care focuses on alleviating the symptoms by reducing inflammation, often through medication. Our IBD web page explains more.

2. Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) – Believed to be caused by brain-gut interactions that force food to move too fast or too slowly, IBS is characterized by changes in gut bacteria and hypersensitivity to pain. This condition is two to six times more common among women than men, and mounting research shows estrogen and progesterone can worsen it. Symptoms include: Diarrhea, constipation, bowel movements that increase or reduce pain, bloating, and cramps. Treatments: Approaches target the symptoms and often include changes in diet, medications, and therapies such as biofeedback and stress management. Read about IBS here.

3. Celiac disease – This autoimmune disease, brought on by eating gluten, triggers similar digestive responses as IBS, such as cramping and irregular bowel movements. However, it can lead to potentially serious complications if untreated. Celiac disease is diagnosed nearly twice as much in women as in men. Symptoms include: Abdominal discomfort, joint and bone pain, fatigue, weight loss, and anemia. Treatments: Prevention is the key to avoiding celiac disease, typically by adopting a diet free of wheat, barley, rye, and other grains that contain gluten. Learn about celiac care here.

4. Constipation – When waste moves too slowly through the GI tract, it can become dry, hard, and difficult to pass. Due to their longer intestines, women’s bodies take more time to move food and therefore are two to three times more likely than men to struggle with constipation. Hormones also might play a role. Symptoms include: Having three or fewer movements a week, small and hard stools, and movements that feel incomplete. Treatments: Home remedies such as dietary changes, fiber supplements, and exercise can speed up digestion. In persistent cases, prescriptions and biofeedback might be prescribed. Understand the causes of constipation.

5. Dyspepsia – Also known as chronic indigestion, this ailment causes stomach pain and bloating after eating. It also results from gut-brain interaction disorders, making dyspepsia more common in women. Symptoms include: Stomach pain and/or burning, filling up quickly when eating, and belching or nausea after eating. Treatments: Various medications can help by reducing gas or acid production, enabling the stomach to empty faster, and/or by relieving nausea. Lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals, also can provide relief. Read our blog about stomach pain after eating.

6. Gastroparesis – This condition is brought about by stomach muscles that do not push food through properly, leaving food to linger in the stomach (delayed emptying). A longer digestive tract might contribute to its prevalence among women, as well as evidence that women’s intestinal nerve cells are slower moving. Symptoms include: Stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, acid reflux (GERD), and feeling full on just a few bites. Treatments: If dietary changes or prescriptions do not relieve symptoms, your doctor might advise electrically stimulating the stomach muscles or inserting a feeding tube. More symptoms and diagnosis of gastroparesis.

What to Do If You Think Have a GI Disorder

GI symptoms can worsen or contribute to complications if untreated, so request to see a gastroenterologist if you experience pain, bloating, or unusual changes in bowel movements. Until then, you can manage symptoms by eating more slowly, drinking plenty of water, and keeping a food diary to isolate trigger foods.

Your doctor can diagnose the condition through a range of tests, from a blood or stool analysis to viewing the insides of your GI tract using a camera-equipped tube (endoscopy).

Importantly, recognize that you do have some control over your GI tract, even if you cannot control your physiology. Awareness and moderation are key.

Learn more about the general gastroenterology procedures available at Cincinnati GI. You can request an appointment by filling out our online form.