Can IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) be mistaken for gynaecological problems?

Title:

Irritable bowel syndrome in the gynecological clinic. Survey of 798 new referrals (1989-1985).

Source:

Digestive Diseases and Sciences. Vol 34(12) (pp820-1824), 1989.

Abstract:

A study of the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome in 798 women referred to a gynecological clinic is reported; 321 women referred to dermatology and ear, nose, and throat clinics served as controls. Data were collected by a mailed symptom questionnaire. The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in the gynecological group was 37.3% compared with 27.7% in controls (P = 0.003). Approximately 50% of women referred with abdominal pain, dyspareunia, and dysmenorrhea had symptoms compatible with irritable bowel syndrome (P< 0.005), whereas the prevalence in those referred for cervical abnormalities, termination/sterilization or perineal problems was similar to that of controls (28%). Patients referred with urinary symptoms, heavy periods, nonmenstrual bleeding, vaginal discharge, and infertility had an intermediate prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (35-45%). This study suggests that either many women with irritable bowel syndrome are being wrongly referred to gynecologists or raises the possibility that symptoms currently regarded as indicative of irritable bowel syndrome may be associated with certain gynecological disorders.

Please click on the required question.

•  Pelvic Pain. Is this a common problem?
•  What are the common causes of pelvic pain in women?
•  What are the more common gynaecological causes of pelvic pain?
•  What are the more common non-gynaecological causes of pelvic pain?
•  What are primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea - painful periods?
•  What is retrograde menstruation?
•  How can dysmenorrhoea - painful periods be treated?
•  What are ovarian cysts?
•  How do ovarian cysts cause pain?
•  How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?
•  How are ovarian cysts treated?
•  I think I may be pregnant and I have some pelvic pain. What should I do?
•  What is pelvic inflammatory disease and how can it be treated?
• Mittelschmertz

FIBROIDS

• 14 What are fibroids?
• 15 I have fibroids. What difficulties might they cause for me?
• 16 How are fibroids diagnosed?
• 17 How could my fibroids be treated?

  ENDOMETRIOSIS

• 18 What is endometriosis?
• 19 How prevalent is endometriosis?
• 20 What causes endometriosis?
• 21 How can my endometriosis be treated?
• 22 How can my doctor determine the cause of my pelvic pain?
• 23 What investigations might be recommended by my gynaecologist to investigate my pelvic pain?
• 24 What is laparoscopy?
• 25 What are pelvic adhesions?
• 26 I have chronic pelvic pain. Could this be related to adhesions?
• 27  What is uterine retroversion (retroverted uterus)
• 28  Does a retroverted uterus (backward tilted uterus) cause symptoms?
• 29 How is a retroverted uterus - backward tilted uterus - treated?
• 30 What is pelvic congestion?
• 31 What causes pain associated with sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
• 32 How can painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) be treated?
• 33 What is a pelvic mass?

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME - IBS

• 34 What is irritable bowel syndrome?
• 35 How can we find out if I have irritable bowel syndrome?
• 36 Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a common condition?
• 37 What causes IBS?
• 38 What is the pain associated with IBS like?
• 39 Can IBS be mistaken for gynaecological problems?
• 40 How can my IBS be treated?
• 41 What other treatments are available for IBS?
• 42 What can be done to reduce the amount of bowel gas(flatus)
• 43 What is constipation?
• 44 What causes constipation?
• 45  How can constipation be treated?
• 46 How could we summarise the treatments that are available for my pelvic pain?
• 47 Where can I obtain more information?
• 48 Pelvic Pain Support Groups.
• 49 Endometriosis Support Groups.
• 50 IBS Support Groups.

   

  
  

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