Author: Dr. Natalia Obzejta, Pelvic Pain Specialist at PRM in Los Angeles
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
IBS is an abbreviation for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It can present as abdominal discomfort or pain associated with altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both) for at least 3 days per month, with the absence of organic disease.
What are the symptoms and causes of IBS?
There is no specific test for irritable bowel syndrome, as it is a diagnosis of exclusion and based on symptoms. Other gastrointestinal symptoms of IBS can include:
- lump in the throat
- acid reflux, nausea
- abdominal bloating
- flatulence
IBS can also cause extraintestinal symptoms such as:
- dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
- dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
- urinary urgency or frequency
- fibromyalgia
What conditions can IBS be mistaken for?
With such overlapping symptoms and no diagnostic test, irritable bowel syndrome can be mistaken for other pelvic conditions such as:
- UTIs
- endometriosis
- ovarian cysts
- fibroids
- hyper/hypothyroidism
- diverticular disease
- GI infections
- lactose intolerance,
- irritable bowel disease (UC, Chrohn’s Disease, colitis)
How does IBS affect the pelvic floor?
Those with constipation-predominant IBS suffer from:
- chronic straining
- splitting (using fingers to aid in bowel movement).
This chronic strain on the pelvic floor causes muscles of the pelvic floor to tighten up thus worsening constipation symptoms.
Those with diarrhea-predominant IBS can lose strength in their pelvic floor muscles, which in turn leads to bowel urgency and/or incontinence of loose stools.
Why should someone with IBS see a pelvic pain specialist?
If you suffer from IBS it is important to work with a pelvic pain specialist as we want to restore function in pelvic floor muscles and nerves. By restoring function in pelvic floor muscles and nerves we are not just putting a band-aid on your symptoms we are providing a long term solution.
What is the importance of getting an official diagnosis for IBS?
It is important for patients to share all of the symptoms being experience with a provider relating possible irritable bowel syndrome, because differentiating from other organic causes is important as treatment is diagnosis-specific.
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