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Related Experiment Videos

Sex-based differences in gastrointestinal pain.

Emeran A Mayer1, Steve Berman, Lin Chang

  • 1Departments of Medicine, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, CNS: Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women's Health, UCLA Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA and VA GLAHS, WLA VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. emayer@ucla.edu

European Journal of Pain (London, England)
|August 25, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is more common in women. Sex-related differences in the autonomic nervous system and pain responses may explain why women experience more IBS symptoms and discomfort.

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Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is more prevalent in women.
  • Women with IBS report more non-painful gastrointestinal symptoms, constipation, and somatic discomfort.
  • Sex-related differences in chronic pain and affective disorders are well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sex-related differences in IBS physiology.
  • To explore potential reasons for differential treatment responsiveness to therapies.
  • To understand the role of the autonomic nervous system in IBS pathophysiology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of population-based and clinic-based studies on IBS prevalence.
  • Analysis of sex differences in responses to rectosigmoid stimulation.

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  • Examination of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) responses in relation to visceral stimuli.

    • Main Results:

    • IBS is consistently more prevalent in women across studies.
    • Sex-related differences in SNS responses to gut stimulation are evident.
    • Perceptual differences in response to gut stimulation are observed mainly after repeated noxious stimuli.

    Conclusions:

    • Sex-related differences in autonomic and antinociceptive pathways are implicated in IBS pathophysiology.
    • These differences may contribute to the higher prevalence and symptom burden of IBS in women.
    • Understanding these sex-based mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies.