Up to one in five people have irritable bowel syndrome and women are three times as likely to be affected. From bloating, cramping, constipation and diarrhea, the symptoms can be debilitating, let alone make it hard to do up a pair of jeans! 

Even though IBS is so common, there’s no cure. But there’s increasing research about the best ways to manage symptoms - from the low FOMAP diet to managing anxiety to live a better and less gassy life.  

Featured in this episode: 

• Associate Professor Jess Biesiekierski from the University of Melbourne 
• Dr Naomi Koh Belic, self-described ‘hot girl with IBS’ 

What to listen to next:  

Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter

Sandwich generation — the women looking after everyone

Mental health: Overcoming depression

Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it

You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  

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How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood

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This episode will answer questions like: 

• What is IBS? 
• What does IBS feel like? 
• How do you know you have IBS? 
• How can you manage IBS? 
• Can you cure IBS? 
• How is the mind and gut connected? 
• What does stress have to do with IBS? 

This episode contains references to IBS, irritable bowl syndrome, HotGirlsHaveIBS , leaky gut, pain, gut pain, faecal transplants, anxiety, mental health, therapy, microbiome, FODMAP, diet, mind gut connection.