It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of people in North America have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).⁶ Only about 30% of people with IBS will consult a doctor about their symptoms.⁷

IBS tends to be more common in:

• People younger than age 35. Half of the people who have IBS develop symptoms before age 35, and 40% develop symptoms between the ages of 35 and 50.⁸
• Women. IBS is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men.⁹
• People who have panic disorder or other psychological conditions.
• People who have a family history of IBS.
• People who have a history of physical or sexual abuse or other psychological trauma. Several studies have found a link between a past history of abuse and gastrointestinal disorders.⁴
• People with other conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (which causes severe fatigue), fibromyalgia (which causes widespread muscle and soft-tissue pain and tenderness), and temporomandibular (TM) disorder (which causes pain and discomfort in the jaw muscles and joint).