Painkillers to soothe cramps are to blame. [Photo/kuulpeeps.com]
Women take more nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, typically to soothe cramps and treat chronic pain. When you down them too often, the drugs can irritate the stomach lining, which may lead to ulcers.
Women have a longer colon
Women have a longer colon than men do on average around 10cm longer perhaps to allow them to absorb more water or fluid during childbearing. What that extra length in the colon does is create this redundancy, these sort of extra twists and turns, and that’s why women are so much more bloated and constipated than their male counterparts.
The short anal canal
At the end of the rectum, we have the anal sphincter, which is the muscle that allows us to delay moving our bowels until we find an appropriate place, such as a washroom. This seems to be caused by the increasing levels of progesterone during pregnancy as well as the increasing size of the baby. It is most prominent during the second half of the pregnancy. Constipation is common for similar reasons.
Childbirth complications
Additionally, the muscle coordinating moving one’s bowels can be damaged by a tear during childbirth, leading to possible long-term problems. Therefore, it is important for women to perform Kegel exercises, which help to strengthen this area and to discuss any concerns with their obstetrician.
Women are more stressed out
Stress can lead to super annoying digestion issues. If you’re feeling bloated or suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the problem might not be what you’re eating, but how you feel when you’re eating it. Women are more stressed out than men and it presents itself in the stomach.
The embarrassment factor
Another issue for women with not-so-great gut health is the shame associated with it. Men simply don’t care as much. Society puts less pressure on them. Men can make fart jokes without being criticised as ill-mannered. Common problems with women are anxiety and worries about everything they put their hands on which upsets their stomachs and create digestive problems.