S03E04 | Mini Episode: Exploring Sex Differences in IBS

04/08/24 • 12 min

In today’s mini episode, Sandra’s flying solo and explores how IBS affects men and women differently. She uncovers the various factors contributing to these sex differences, from hormones and immune responses to psychosocial influences. Learn why women often experience more pronounced symptoms and how understanding these nuances can lead to more personalised approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're living with IBS or simply curious about the science behind it, this episode offers valuable insights into a common yet often misunderstood condition. Today’s episode covers:

Explanation of sex differences in IBS prevalence and symptom presentation
Role of hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone, in influencing gut function
Sex-specific differences on the gut microbiota and immune responses
Influence of psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, and societal norms on IBS
Importance of personalised approaches to diagnosis and management based on sex differences
Call for greater awareness, research, and support for individuals living with IBS

We hope you’ve been enjoying our episodes and please don’t forget to follow, rate and review our pod not to miss an episode and for us to keep working hard to bring you more!

Resources and support:

Chapter 9 of The Gut Chronicles:

Season 1 Episode 2: Cracking the IBS code

Nutrition A-Z Rebalance Programs: The Gut Edition

Free Workshop 30.04.2024

The GUTSMART Workshop: A proven blueprint to master your gut health and IBS

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail

For more information visit instagram.com/nutritionaz_by_sandramikhail OR nutritition-az.com

The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness. Sandra Mikhail’s upcoming book out May 2023.

Explanation of sex differences in IBS prevalence and symptom presentation
Role of hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone, in influencing gut function
Sex-specific differences on the gut microbiota and immune responses
Influence of psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, and societal norms on IBS
Importance of personalised approaches to diagnosis and management based on sex differences
Call for greater awareness, research, and support for individuals living with IBS

We hope you’ve been enjoying our episodes and please don’t forget to follow, rate and review our pod not to miss an episode and for us to keep working hard to bring you more!

Resources and support:

Chapter 9 of The Gut Chronicles:

Season 1 Episode 2: Cracking the IBS code

Nutrition A-Z Rebalance Programs: The Gut Edition

Free Workshop 30.04.2024

The GUTSMART Workshop: A proven blueprint to master your gut health and IBS

Connect with your hosts on LinkedIn

Sandra Mikhail

Wagdy Mikhail

For more information visit instagram.com/nutritionaz_by_sandramikhail OR nutritition-az.com

The Gut Chronicles: An uncensored journey into the world of digestive health and illness. Sandra Mikhail’s upcoming book out May 2023.

Previous Episode

S03E03 | IBS Awareness Month: What’s new with IBS?

It’s hard to believe that the pod is a year old! This IBS awareness month, your hosts cover advances and developments that impact how IBS is being managed. Before listening to this episode, please revisit this episode here that talks about cracking the IBS code covering everything you need to know about irritable bowel syndrome. Today’s episode covers:

The main areas of IBS research to date
Emerging treatments and studies investigating the gut microbiome in IBS
Updates with the FODMAP process and its cons such as disordered eating
Sandra’s GUTSMART method in managing IBS
The gut-brain axis in IBS

Breaking the stigma around a diagnosis of IBS should be part of every gut specialist’s mission. IBS is a chronic, relapsing disorder that extends beyond gut motility issues and includes intestinal dysbiosis and a disordered gut–brain interaction. For this reason, a multidisciplinary approach is crucial to work towards living with a more blissful gut.

Resources and support:

Chapter 9 of The Gut Chronicles:

Season 1 Episode 2: Cracking the IBS code

Nutrition A-Z Rebalance Programs: The Gut Edition
Free Workshop: The GUTSMART Method workshop 30.04.2024

Next Episode

S03E05 | Understanding gut health diagnostics: Part 1

This topic is worth a 2-part series as there is so much to cover! Your hosts explore the spectrum of diagnostic tools available to assess gut health and decipher the most common tests, debunk myths, and shed light on the reliability of various diagnostic methods. From stool tests to endoscopy, Sandra and Wagdy aim to equip you with the knowledge you need to know about gut health diagnostics and what they all mean. This episode covers:

Stool tests, why we need them and what your poo’s colour, consistency and other faecal markers can tell us
What makes an essential blood work up
Understanding markers such as CRP and antibody serology
Sandra’s take on screening for “leaky gut” using Zonulin
Why you shouldn’t take a microbiome test
How food intolerance tests are the biggest wellness scam

This episode is packed with information so we do suggest keeping some notes! Part 2 will cover the next set of diagnostics such as breath tests and imaging (CT, MRI and Ultrasounds) so make sure you hit the follow button not to miss an episode!

If you have any questions about gut health tests and diagnostics, don’t forget to send your questions through to [email protected]

Previous episodes to listen to that have been mentioned today:

S01E04 | All about poo Part 1: Understanding Constipation

S01E05 | All about poo Part 2: Understanding Diarrhoea

S01E08 | Debunking Leaky Gut with guest dietitian, Kirsten Jackson