Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Abdominal pain. This is the main symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is often described as a cramping or colicky pain, which can vary in intensity and tends to recur. The pain may be associated with changes in bowel movements, such as urgency or difficulty passing stools, and may improve or worsen after a bowel movement. 

Changes in bowel habits or in stool frequency or consistency are another key symptom of IBS. A predominance of hard, separate stools or lumpy, sausage-shaped stools (Bristol Stool Scale types 1 and 2) is characteristic of IBS with constipation (IBS-C). Conversely, when watery or fluffy stools predominate (Bristol Stool Scale types 6 and 7) is characteristic of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D). 

• Bowel urgency.
• Excessive straining when passing stools.
• Feeling of incomplete evacuation.
• Presence of mucus in the stools. 
• Abdominal distension and/or bloating.  In women, symptoms may be more severe during menstruation.