Is IBS More Than a Gut Problem? Why Millions Still Struggle to Find Relief
- 11 hours ago
- 6 min read
Written by Marica Gaspic Piskovic, Gutwellness Coach
Marica Gaspic Piskovic is a pharmacist turned gut health coach specializing in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the gut-brain connection. Combining clinical insight with lived experience, she helps women stop organizing their lives around their gut and live life on their terms.
IBS affects nearly 1 in 10 people worldwide and is one of the most common conditions diagnosed by gastroenterologists, yet many people continue to struggle with symptoms that extend far beyond digestion.
You can look completely put together on the outside and still be planning your day around your gut. One woman I spoke with described it this way: she could confidently run meetings at work, present to senior leadership, and manage a demanding schedule. Yet something as simple as going out to dinner with friends could trigger anxiety. Would the food cause symptoms? Would she need to leave early? Would there be a washroom nearby?
She was living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). And she is far from alone. Despite affecting millions worldwide, IBS remains widely misunderstood. Many individuals are told to simply “avoid certain foods” or “reduce stress,” yet continue to struggle with symptoms that affect far more than digestion. Understanding the true nature of IBS is an important step toward helping people find meaningful relief.
What IBS actually is
IBS is now recognized as a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). This means symptoms arise from disrupted communication between the digestive system and the nervous system.
Despite how frequently it occurs, IBS is still widely misunderstood. It is considered the most common condition diagnosed by gastroenterologists and one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders worldwide.
In simple terms, the gut and brain are constantly sending signals back and forth. When this communication becomes dysregulated, the digestive system can become more sensitive and reactive.
The current Rome IV diagnostic criteria define IBS as recurrent abdominal pain occurring at least one day per week over the past three months, associated with at least two of the following:
Pain related to bowel movements
Changes in stool frequency
Changes in stool form or appearance
IBS may present in several patterns, including constipation-predominant (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), or mixed patterns. For many individuals, however, the experience of IBS extends well beyond bowel habits.
How common IBS really is
IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions worldwide. Research estimates that 10-15% of the global population lives with IBS, representing more than 700 million people worldwide.
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with IBS, and symptoms often begin in the late teens or early adulthood.
For many women, this means navigating IBS through major life stages, including education, career development, pregnancy, and hormonal transitions.
The impact on daily functioning can be significant. Studies show that around one quarter of people with IBS miss work because of their symptoms, while over 80% report reduced productivity while at work due to digestive discomfort.
Research also suggests individuals living with IBS experience up to eight days per month of reduced productivity, with some missing one to two days of work or school each month because of symptoms.
Behind these statistics are people quietly reorganizing their lives around unpredictable digestion, choosing seats near exits, skipping meals before meetings, or avoiding travel altogether. Yet despite its prevalence, many individuals still feel their symptoms are minimized or misunderstood.
Did you know?
IBS affects over 700 million people worldwide
It is the most common condition diagnosed by gastroenterologists
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience IBS
Up to 25% of people with IBS miss work due to symptoms
More than 80% report reduced productivity while working
These numbers highlight the significant global impact of IBS on both personal well-being and daily functioning.
IBS is more than a digestive condition and here’s why
“IBS is not just a digestive condition, it is a complex interaction between the gut, brain, hormones, and lifestyle.”
While IBS is classified as a gastrointestinal disorder, its effects often extend far beyond the digestive tract.
Many individuals with IBS report symptoms affecting multiple body systems, including:
Persistent bloating
Brain fog
Fatigue
Food sensitivities
Hormonal symptom fluctuations
Sleep disturbances
These symptoms reflect the complex interactions between the gut microbiome, nervous system, immune signaling, and hormones.
The digestive system is deeply connected to the rest of the body. When gut function becomes disrupted, it can influence mood, energy levels, inflammation, and overall well-being. This complexity is one reason IBS can be difficult to manage through a single intervention.
Why IBS is especially challenging for women
Women experience IBS at nearly twice the rate of men, and hormonal fluctuations appear to play an important role. Many women notice symptoms worsen during certain phases of their menstrual cycle, particularly in the days leading up to menstruation when hormone levels shift.
Hormonal transitions such as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can also influence digestive function and symptom patterns.
For women already balancing careers, family responsibilities, and daily demands, the added unpredictability of digestive symptoms can create an additional layer of stress.
Understanding the hormonal connection to gut health is an important part of creating effective support strategies.
Why so many people stay stuck
One of the challenges with IBS care is that advice is often oversimplified. Many people are told to eliminate foods, try supplements, or take medications to control symptoms. While these strategies may provide temporary relief, they do not always address the broader picture.
In my work as both a pharmacist and gut health coach, I often see individuals trying to navigate multiple health concerns at once. It is not uncommon for someone with IBS to also be managing hormonal changes, stress, sleep disruption, or medications that may influence digestive function.
In some cases, medications prescribed for other conditions can unintentionally aggravate gut symptoms. This highlights the importance of looking at digestive health within the context of the whole person. IBS rarely exists in isolation.
What people with IBS actually need
Effective IBS support often requires a more comprehensive approach.
Understanding the gut-brain connection
Stress and nervous system regulation play an important role in digestive health. Supporting the nervous system can help reduce gut sensitivity and improve symptom patterns.
Individualized nutrition
There is no universal IBS diet. Foods that trigger symptoms for one person may be well tolerated by another.
A whole-system perspective
Digestive health is influenced by many factors, including:
Sleep
Movement
Microbiome balance
Hormonal shifts
Emotional wellbeing
Addressing these elements together often leads to more sustainable improvements.
IBS awareness month and world IBS day
Each April, organizations around the world recognize IBS Awareness Month, an initiative dedicated to increasing understanding of a condition that affects millions yet remains widely misunderstood.
A particularly meaningful moment occurs on April 19, World IBS Day, a global awareness initiative founded in 2019 by patient advocate Jeffrey Roberts and the IBS Patient Support Group.
The goal of the day is to bring visibility to the challenges faced by people living with IBS and to encourage more open conversations about digestive health.
Today, IBS affects over 700 million people worldwide, making it one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions globally.
As part of the campaign known as “Light Up the Sky for IBS,” landmarks and structures around the world are illuminated in periwinkle, the international color representing IBS awareness.
For many individuals quietly navigating digestive symptoms, these moments of visibility help reduce stigma and remind people they are not alone.
Moving toward better understanding
For too long, IBS has been dismissed as “just a stomach problem.” Yet the lived experience of those managing the condition tells a very different story. IBS is complex, deeply personal, and often life-altering.
Many of the women I work with are high-performing professionals who appear to have everything under control, yet privately struggle with digestive symptoms that affect their confidence, travel, and daily routines.
You can learn more about my approach to IBS and digestive health at Gut Wellness by Marica. Greater awareness is an important step toward helping people receive the understanding and support they deserve. When the gut, brain, hormones, and lifestyle factors are addressed together, individuals living with IBS can move toward greater clarity and meaningful relief.
Read more from Marica Gaspic Piskovic
Marica Gaspic Piskovic, Gutwellness Coach
Marica Gaspic Piskovic is a pharmacist, healthcare leader, and gut health coach specializing in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gut-brain interaction. With over a decade of experience across clinical pharmacy, executive healthcare roles, and consulting, she brings a science-grounded yet human approach to gut health.
Living with IBS herself, Marica understands the invisible burden many women carry, the constant planning, restriction, and self-doubt. Through personalized education and coaching, she helps women regain trust in their bodies, reduce gut-driven anxiety, and build a life that feels expansive, not restricted.
References:
Lacy BE et al. Bowel Disorders. Gastroenterology. 2016
Sperber AD et al. Worldwide Prevalence of IBS According to Rome IV Criteria. Gastroenterology. 2021
Ford AC et al. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The Lancet. 2020
