If you have IBS, you know it’s not just about an occasional stomachache—it’s a daily balancing act. Managing symptoms can feel like a full-time job, and what works for one person might not work for another. The reality is, IBS is complicated, and finding relief often takes patience, trial and error, and the right support system.
To better understand what life with IBS really looks like, we teamed up with other leading experts in the IBS space, to survey both patients and healthcare providers. You can read about this collaboration here: GI Consortium: A New Partnership to Support those with Digestive Conditions
We wanted to know: What are the biggest challenges people with IBS face? What’s helping? And where are there still gaps in support?
Here’s what we found.
IBS by the Numbers: Who We Surveyed
We gathered insights from 5,635 people with IBS and 368 healthcare providers, primarily registered dietitians (RDs) specializing in digestive health.
🔹 87% of patients surveyed were women, with an average age of 56
🔹 66% had a formal IBS diagnosis, while others suspected they had IBS but hadn’t been officially diagnosed
🔹 Many also lived with other conditions like anxiety, depression, migraines, GERD, and food sensitivities
🔹 Among healthcare providers, 65% specialized in functional gut disorders and saw IBS patients regularly
Now, let’s dive into what they had to say.
What It’s Like to Live with IBS
When asked about their symptoms, most patients described a mix of digestive issues:
I✔️ 86% had abdominal pain
✔️ 85% experienced bloating
✔️ 81% reported gas
✔️ 71% struggled with diarrhea
✔️ 63% had constipation
👉 Bloating and abdominal pain were the biggest struggles.
What makes symptoms worse?
📌 Food (93%)—Certain foods triggered symptoms more than anything else
📌 Stress and anxiety (67%)—A big factor in flare-ups
📌 Lack of sleep (21%)—Not getting enough rest made symptoms harder to manage
Among specific foods, high-FODMAP foods were the most common trigger (69%), followed by gluten (51%) and fatty foods (42%).
What’s Helping?
Finding effective treatments for IBS isn’t always straightforward. What works for one person may not work for another. But patients in our survey found several key strategies that made a difference:
🔹 Low FODMAP Diet (LFD)—68% found it helpful
🔹 Gluten-Free Diet (GFD)—48% reported benefits
🔹 Probiotics (27%)
🔹 Prescription meds (25%)
🔹 Over-the-counter meds (23%)
🔹 Stress management techniques (22%)
🔹 Exercise (22%)
Many also said they actively seek out low FODMAP-certified products (54%) and recognize certification logos like Monash University’s (75%). Low FODMAP apps and certified products were ranked as the most useful IBS tools.
However, despite these strategies, managing IBS is still tough.
Biggest Challenges for IBS Patients
Even with diet and lifestyle changes, many patients still struggle to get their symptoms under control. Some of the top challenges reported include:
🚫 Figuring out trigger foods (46%)—It’s not always obvious what’s causing symptoms
🚫 Finding food options (46%)—Especially when eating out or grocery shopping
🚫 The time and effort involved (36%)—IBS management is a lot of work
🚫 Feeling socially isolated (51%)—Dining out or eating with friends can be stressful
💰 Cost is also a major barrier. Many patients want to see an RD trained in IBS, but 43% said it’s too expensive.
One theme stood out in the open-ended responses: Many people feel alone in their IBS journey. The ups and downs of unpredictable symptoms, avoiding “unsafe” foods, and juggling multiple health conditions were common frustrations. One patient summed it up perfectly:
“It’s never just IBS.”
What Healthcare Providers Are Seeing
The experiences of IBS patients weren’t surprising to the healthcare providers we surveyed. Many echoed the same frustrations they hear from their patients every day.
🔹 Most difficult symptoms to treat:
✔️ Bloating (68%)
✔️ Abdominal pain (50%)
✔️ Constipation (41%)
🔹 Biggest patient struggles:
📌 Confusion about IBS dietary needs (64%)
📌 Food fears and anxiety (69%)
📌 Difficulty eating out (46%)
📌 Time constraints (64%)—People struggle to fit IBS-friendly cooking and meal prep into their daily lives
What treatments do providers recommend?
✅ Low FODMAP Diet (84%)—Many use a simplified version
✅ Balanced eating guidelines (75%)
✅ Fiber supplements (72%)
✅ Probiotics (61%)
✅ Digestive enzymes (58%)
Providers also rely on resources to guide their recommendations. Monash University and FODMAP Everyday® were the top sources for low FODMAP recipes and meal guidance.
What Needs to Change?
Both patients and providers recognize the ongoing challenges of IBS management.
📌 Many patients need more support beyond diet.
Healthcare providers say stress management, psychological counseling, and gut-brain strategies are just as important as food choices, but many patients don’t prioritize these aspects of care.
📌 People are looking for “quick fixes.”
Providers reported that some patients turn to overly restrictive diets or want an immediate solution, which can make long-term symptom management more difficult.
📌 Education and accessibility need to improve.
Patients need clear, evidence-based guidance on IBS-friendly diets—and more access to affordable specialists.
📌 More support for dining out and social eating is key.
Since so many people with IBS struggle with eating away from home, better restaurant options, meal services, and travel-friendly solutions could be game-changers.
Final Thoughts
This survey confirms what many already know: IBS is complicated, frustrating, and deeply personal.
But there’s hope. More people than ever are finding relief through dietary strategies, gut-brain approaches, and new resources tailored to IBS management.
The key? Making sure both patients and providers have the tools they need to succeed. Whether that’s expanding access to trained dietitians, developing better educational resources, or improving options for dining out—there’s still work to be done.
If you have IBS, know this: You’re not alone. Your struggles are real, your frustrations are valid, and the search for relief is worth it. Keep pushing for the care and resources that make managing IBS easier—because you deserve to feel better.
How FODMAP Everyday® Can Help
If you’re struggling with IBS symptoms and just beginning your journey toward diagnosis and relief, FODMAP Everyday® is here to help. Navigating digestive issues can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our expert-backed resources, easy-to-follow guides, and delicious low FODMAP recipes make it simpler to understand what’s triggering your symptoms—and how to feel better. Whether you’re looking for practical tips, meal ideas, or the latest research, we provide the support and knowledge you need to take control of your gut health with confidence.
Start Here:
IBS: Step-by-Step Guide from Diagnosis to Symptom Free Living
