Do you have PCOS and suffer from bloating after every meal? Many women with PCOS have digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and conditions like IBS. In fact, it has been reported that up to 40% of women with PCOS have irritable bowel syndrome also.
This is important because women with IBS and PCOS have more weight gain than women with PCOS alone. Likely due to the disruption in the microbiome of the gut.
What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition characterized by abdominal pain associated with eating. You can also have bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. The Rome Criteria for diagnosis is to exclude other diseases like celiac, colitis, etc., and have abdominal pain for at least 3 months, 3 days, or more a month. You also have to have changes in your stool or frequency of defecation.
If you are diagnosed with this syndrome, you likely will be offered medications that decrease spasms in the intestines or laxatives to relieve constipation. But these medications do not address the underlying cause of IBS. They just treat the symptoms of IBS.
So how do you address the ROOT CAUSE of IBS?
Just like PCOS, the treatment is personalized to you. Since IBS causes a disruption in the gut microbiome or gut dysbiosis, optimizing the gut is the best step. There are trillions of microorganisms in the gut that aid the absorption of food (carbs, fat, protein). They also make up about 80% of your immune system. There are many causes for the disruption but these are the most common.
SIBO (Small Bacterial Overgrowth)
The gut microbiome resides in the large intestine. If it migrates into the small intestine, then you can get overgrowth, SIBO. This overgrowth can cause a multitude of symptoms, but it can make IBS symptoms much worse. There have been studies that indicate if you treat SIBO, you may reverse IBS.
Leaky Gut
Leaky gut, also called intestinal permeability, occurs when the intestinal cells or the junctions between the cells are damaged, allowing unwanted substances to pass through the intestine. They can get damaged by food, medications, toxins, frequent antibiotic use, and chronic stress. When leaking occurs, unwanted substances cross the intestinal barrier and cause inflammation.
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What should I do if I have PCOS and IBS?
PCOS and IBS are linked by gut dysbiosis. When the microbiome is disrupted, it causes systemic inflammation leading to insulin resistance.
Chronic (long time) inflammation in the body interferes with the insulin receptors on the cells causing insulin resistance. Increasing insulin resistance leads to higher androgen or male hormones. The “high androgen” levels cause the hallmark signs and symptoms of PCOS, acne, irregular cycles, excess hair on the face and chin, and infertility.
Chronic inflammation also causes the gut lining to leak called leaky gut. Leaky gut allows large molecules like gluten to cross the barrier leading to the immune system being activated and more inflammation. This is why women with PCOS have a weak immune system and often report more allergies, colds, and poor healing than women without PCOS.
So what can you do?
Address the root cause of your IBS symptoms.
The stool study consists of sending a sample of your stool to be analyzed for the specific bacteria or yeast you have in your gut. If you have an overgrowth of a particular type, you will have to eliminate that type from your gut. It is similar to weeding the garden.
A SIBO breath test consists of sampling your breath for certain gases released from the digestion of sugar by bacteria. If SIBO is present, you will need to eradicate it with your practitioner.
If no tests are available, then keep a food diary. In the food diary, you will write down what you ate and your symptoms. Over time you will be able to identify specific foods that may be triggering your symptoms. Eliminate that food (one at a time) for at least 2-3 weeks. Note if your symptoms change on the diary.
Decrease inflammation in your body. This will help both PCOS and IBS in general.
If you have PCOS and IBS, please work with a healthcare professional knowledgeable in nutrition to identify the root cause of your IBS, so you do not have to be dependent on medications. You are in control!
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