How does estrogen affect irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Estrogen activates specific pathways in the colon, increasing pain sensitivity and gut discomfort in women.

What new treatments could stem from the UCSF study on IBS?

The study identified new drug targets within hormone-activated pathways that could lead to novel IBS therapies.

Why do low-FODMAP diets help some IBS patients, according to the new research?

The research suggests low-FODMAP diets may prevent the activation of pain-signaling molecules triggered by estrogen.

Home / Health / Hormones Reveal IBS Pain Secret in Women

Hormones Reveal IBS Pain Secret in Women

19 Dec

•

Summary

Estrogen activates unknown colon pathways, increasing pain sensitivity.
New research could pave the way for novel IBS drug targets.
Findings may explain low-FODMAP diet benefits for some patients.

Hormones Reveal IBS Pain Secret in Women

New research from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has pinpointed why women disproportionately suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Scientists found that the female hormone estrogen activates previously unknown pathways within the colon. These pathways can trigger pain and increase the gut's sensitivity to specific foods, explaining a significant aspect of IBS for many women. The study's findings were published in the journal Science.

The UCSF team identified that estrogen influences L-cells in the lower colon, leading to increased production of PYY, a molecule now understood to signal pain. This occurs alongside a heightened sensitivity to short-chain fatty acids detected by Olfr78 receptors. Together, these mechanisms create a "double hit" that amplifies gut pain, potentially explaining why low-FODMAP diets, which reduce these metabolites, can alleviate symptoms for some IBS patients.