--- title: IBS and gut symptoms: 52 studies, explained | Niyora description: 52 studies on ibs and gut symptoms and PMS or PMDD, each summarised in plain English: what was tested, who took part, what they found and what it means. url: https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - IBS and gut symptoms # IBS and gut symptoms: what the research says 52 studies on ibs and gut symptoms in PMS and PMDD, each explained in plain English. 2 of them use the strongest designs: randomised trials and systematic reviews. Survey study 22 Review 7 Study 6 Case-control study 5 Randomised trial 4 Lab study 2 Randomised trial, 2005 Does stopping ovulation help irritable bowel syndrome that gets worse during the menstrual cycle? Yes, stopping ovulation with leuprolide acetate significantly improved bowel symptoms related to the menstrual cycle. Adding tibolone (a hormone) did not improve bowel symptoms further but did improve quality of life more than leuprolide alone. Systematic review, 1998 Do stomach and intestinal symptoms change during the menstrual cycle? Yes. About one-third of women without usual gut problems get gut symptoms around their period. Almost half of women with irritable bowel syndrome report their symptoms get worse perimenstrually. Randomised trial, 2024 Does a banana drink with egg white reduce PMDD symptoms and improve mood? The banana drink significantly reduced anxiety, fatigue, concentration problems, insomnia and physical symptoms, and improved mood. Serotonin levels did not increase significantly. Study, 2022 Do women with PMS have different gut bacteria? Yes. Women with PMS have clearly different gut bacteria compared to women without PMS. They have much higher levels of certain bacteria, especially one called Collinsella, approximately 4.5 times higher. Survey study, 2022 How common are premenstrual symptoms, and do they change with age? Very common. Food cravings affect 85%, mood swings 64%, and fatigue 57%. Several symptoms got worse with age, but mood symptoms stayed the same across all age groups. Survey study, 2021 Is there a reliable tool to measure menstrual distress? Researchers created MEDI-Q, a 25-question questionnaire that reliably measures menstrual distress and can identify women experiencing significant period-related problems. Randomised trial, 2019 Does yoga reduce anxiety in women with PMS? Yes, yoga significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in women with PMS compared to no yoga. Diastolic blood pressure also improved. Review, 2015 Does inflammation during menstruation cause PMS and related symptoms? This review suggests that inflammation caused by dropping estrogen and progesterone at menstruation causes menstrual and premenstrual symptoms including mood changes, headaches, and joint pain. Reducing the hormone-free interval in birth control from 7 to 2 days reduces inflammation and symptoms. Study, 2010 Why do women with IBS and fibromyalgia or PMDD have similar inflammation patterns? Women with IBS who also have fibromyalgia, PMDD, or chronic fatigue have higher levels of inflammatory proteins in their blood than women with IBS alone. Case-control study, 2009 How common is irritable bowel syndrome in Korean teenage girls and what causes it? One in four Korean teenage girls has IBS. Stress, anxiety, and depression were strongly linked to IBS, with depression showing the strongest connection. Case-control study, 2003 Do IBS symptoms change across the menstrual cycle and vary by contraceptive use? Women with IBS have higher symptom severity than controls, and symptoms vary by menstrual cycle phase and bowel pattern type. Oral contraceptive use did not significantly change most IBS symptoms. Review, 1998 How does the menstrual cycle affect other medical conditions? Many medical conditions worsen at specific points in the menstrual cycle because of sudden changes in hormone levels. This includes migraines, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diabetes. Study, 1996 Can probiotics and an antidepressant reduce severe PMS symptoms? Yes. Women treated with probiotics and the antidepressant SAMe had their symptoms reduce from severe to mild. However, the improvement didn't last long after they stopped the supplements. Case report, 2026 Can antidepressants cause stomach problems that only happen during menstruation? One woman taking antidepressants developed nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea only during her menstrual period. The problem improved when her dose was lowered. Randomised trial, 2026 Does individualized nutrition therapy help women with PMS improve symptoms and health? This small exploratory study found improvements in PMS symptoms, mood, and other health measures. However, because there was no control group, we cannot be certain that nutrition therapy caused these improvements rather than other factors. Lab study, 2026 How does Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet work to help PMS symptoms? This rat study shows the tablet may work by changing how the body handles glucose and fats and by reducing brain inflammation. Results cannot yet be applied to women with PMS. Study, 2026 Does replacing gut bacteria help with menstrual problems, depression, and anxiety? In this study, transplanting healthy gut bacteria improved quality of life, reduced depression and anxiety, and improved menstrual conditions. However, this is an early study and larger research is needed. Survey study, 2026 Does diet affect PMS differently depending on a woman's gut bacteria? In this small study, women who produced equol (a chemical made by gut bacteria from soy) showed no link between eating vegetables and worse PMS, while women without equol showed a link. The study is too small and observational to know if changing diet helps. Study, 2025 Can a probiotic bacterium help PMS by changing gut bacteria and hormones? In a mouse study, a probiotic called Lactobacillus helveticus reduced excess prolactin hormone and inflammatory molecules linked to PMS-like symptoms. The bacteria worked by changing which bacteria live in the gut and through direct effects on hormone-producing cells. Lab study, 2025 Can an extract from Codonopsis lanceolata peel help with PMS? In lab and mouse studies, this plant peel extract changed hormone, immune and gut bacteria levels in ways that may relate to PMS, but this has not yet been tested in women. Survey study, 2024 Is diabetes linked to PMS, and could diabetes drugs affect it? This is a review of ideas, not a study with new data, so it cannot prove a link. It suggests diabetes and some diabetes drugs could plausibly worsen or trigger PMS-like symptoms, but this needs to be tested properly. Review, 2024 Can sulpiride help women with both PMDD and IBS? One woman with PMDD and IBS who had not responded to antidepressants, pain medication, or melatonin experienced remission after taking low-dose sulpiride temporarily each month. This approach has not yet been tested in research studies. Survey study, 2024 How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood? Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect the bacteria in the gut and mood. Higher progesterone levels in the premenstrual phase are linked with worse bloating, constipation, and mood swings. Approximately 50% to 80% of women experience premenstrual symptoms that affect daily life. Survey study, 2023 Do women with PMS and irritable bowel syndrome have related conditions? IBS and PMS appear to share similar causes and may occur together in women. Better cooperation between doctors treating these conditions is needed. Survey study, 2023 Could gut bacteria and probiotics help with PMS and PMDD? This review suggests gut bacteria may play a role in PMS and PMDD through effects on hormones and inflammation. However, this is not a research study, so probiotics have not been proven to help. Survey study, 2022 Do women with premenstrual symptoms have different gut bacteria? Yes. Women with premenstrual symptoms that interfere with their social life have different gut bacteria compared to women without such symptoms, though the differences are modest and some do not remain significant after statistical correction. Non-randomised trial, 2022 Does S-equol supplement help reduce premenstrual symptoms? S-equol showed only a small benefit for premenstrual symptoms, with improvement related to gut bacteria composition. Survey study, 2020 Do women with IBS and period problems have worse psychological symptoms? Yes. Women with IBS alongside period pain and PMS show more depression, sleep problems, and worse quality of life than those without IBS. Survey study, 2020 Do girls with type 1 diabetes experience different PMS than other girls? No clear difference. Most girls with type 1 diabetes (71.4%) experience no to mild PMS symptoms, regardless of how well their diabetes is controlled. Case-control study, 2019 Are zinc and copper levels linked to PMS in teenage girls? The study found that girls with both irritable bowel syndrome and period pain had lower dietary zinc intake, but did not find a clear link between minerals and PMS alone. Survey study, 2017 Is premenstrual syndrome linked to anxiety, digestive problems, and food choices? Women with PMS were more likely to have anxiety and digestive problems like IBS and constipation, and to eat more meat and fast food but less carbohydrates. However, this study only shows associations, so we cannot know whether these factors cause PMS or result from it. Survey study, 2014 Which stomach and digestive symptoms occur around the time of menstruation? Most healthy women get stomach symptoms before or during their period, especially stomach pain and diarrhea. Women who have mood symptoms like depression or anxiety are more likely to have multiple stomach symptoms. Survey study, 2014 Do women with both IBS and PMS experience worse symptoms than those with IBS alone? Yes, women with both conditions had more stress, more severe bowel and psychological symptoms, and longer episodes with slower recovery compared to those with IBS alone. Cohort study, 2014 Does a medical procedure for fibroids help premenstrual symptoms? In women undergoing the procedure for fibroids or adenomyosis, back pain, headache, and digestive symptoms improved significantly. Women with heavy menstrual bleeding saw greater improvement overall. Survey study, 2011 Do menstrual symptoms make IBS worse in young Taiwanese women? Yes, in this study. Digestive symptoms got worse during menstruation in young women with IBS, though this was only measured in one school in Taiwan. Review, 2009 Can probiotics help with premenstrual syndrome? The review notes that probiotics for PMS are described as 'rather hypothetical' and mostly studied by alternative medicine practitioners, without strong scientific evidence. Review, 2009 What health issues are especially important for women's wellness throughout their lives? The review describes women's wellness as broad life satisfaction including reproductive, hormonal, bone, and gastrointestinal health. Study, 2008 Does rifaximin help with IBS symptoms that worsen during PMS? In these 3 women, taking rifaximin during the premenstrual phase improved their IBS symptoms including bloating, pain, and diarrhea. The improvement continued across multiple menstrual cycles, suggesting the treatment may have lasting benefit. Survey study, 2007 Is irritable bowel syndrome more common in women, and does it change during the menstrual cycle? Irritable bowel syndrome is more common in women than men. Stomach symptoms do not appear to change based on which phase of the menstrual cycle a woman is in. Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Regular pain relief medication (NSAIDs) started before periods begin may help. In one teenager, severe pain improved from 8 out of 10 to 5 out of 10. Case-control study, 2006 Do women with IBS and period pain have worse symptoms? Yes. Women with IBS who also have dysmenorrhea and premenstrual distress report significantly more cramping, depression, anger, and cognitive problems than women with IBS alone. This group may need complex, multicomponent treatment. Survey study, 2005 What factors are associated with having a hysterectomy in women veterans? Premenstrual syndrome was one of several factors. Women with PMS were 1.6 times more likely to have had a hysterectomy (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3). Other factors included older age, multiple pregnancies, and PCOS. Survey study, 2002 Does the menstrual cycle change gut sensitivity in women with IBS? Yes. Women with IBS have more sensitive bowels during their period compared to other times, which may explain why their IBS gets worse. Women without IBS do not show this change. Review, 2001 Do common health conditions get worse at certain times in your menstrual cycle? Yes. Migraine, epilepsy, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diabetes can worsen at certain points in the menstrual cycle. Survey study, 1999 Do bowel symptoms vary with the menstrual cycle in women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease? Yes. About two-thirds of women with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis reported that their symptoms got worse with their cycle. Women with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease reported more cyclical changes in bowel habits than women with normal bowel function. Survey study, 1998 Does trouble digesting fructose cause depression? This small study found that people who couldn't absorb fructose well had higher depression scores, especially women. But the study can't prove fructose malabsorption causes depression. Case-control study, 1998 Does the menstrual cycle affect bowel disease symptoms? Yes, significantly. Women with bowel disease reported much more cyclical bowel symptoms than healthy women, with Crohn's disease patients particularly affected. Interview study, 1996 Do antidepressants help treat PMDD and similar conditions? The evidence suggests antidepressants probably help, but the research quality is too varied to be certain. Better studies are needed. Review, 1994 What causes functional bloating (bloating with no clear medical cause) and how can it be treated? The cause is unknown. Old explanations have been disproven, and newer ideas suggest recent weight gain, weak abdominal muscles, or fluid trapped in the small intestine. No treatment has been proven to work. Survey study, 1994 How are irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pelvic pain related? They often occur together and share similar psychological causes like depression and childhood trauma. IBS symptoms get worse during menstruation and worsen pain outcomes after surgery. Survey study, 1992 Do women with digestive problems experience worse stomach symptoms during their period? Yes. Women with functional bowel distress reported significantly worse stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea during menstruation compared to women without bowel problems. They also had more stomach pain on other days of the cycle. Survey study, 1990 Do bowel symptoms get worse during menstruation? Yes. 34% of women without IBS reported gas, diarrhea, or constipation during menstruation, and women with IBS were significantly more likely to experience these symptoms during their period. Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗