Why Do Women Suffer from Gastrointestinal Disorders More Often Than Men?

I was wrapping up an anatomy and physiology lecture of the digestive tract in my Medical Assisting Class at Northwest Career College when one of my students asked a great question:

“why do women suffer more from gastrointestinal disorders than men?”

Statistically women suffer from more GERD (heartburn), Nausea, bloating, constipation/diarrhea and gallbladder dysfunction. Although the statistics are very clear the causes are often left out. Is it hormonal? Is it psychological from stress? Is it how we are made?

Understanding Why GI Disorders Are More Common in Women

After doing quite a bit of research this is what I found. It’s all of the above.

Heartburn Sensitivity in Women

In regards to heartburn anatomy is less the problem in fact women have stronger Cardiac sphincters (the flap that closes to not allow the passage of food and gastric juices back into the esophagus).

However according to the American College of Gastroenterology women are more sensitive to the gasses that may escape so although they do not have more structural damage than men they report more symptoms.

Stomach Acid and Slow Emptying

Women also seem to produce less stomach acid therefore the stomach empties slower causing more nausea and bloating.

Constipation, Diarrhea, and Everyday Stress

These symptoms can result from a combination of factors:

• Daily stress
• Discomfort using the restroom outside the home
• The fact that women have shorter anal cavities

These combine to make bowel movements more challenging in day-to-day life.

Gallbladder Disorders and Hormonal Links

Gallbladder disorders are often linked to female hormones, especially during and after pregnancy. Studies show:

• This delay leads to more gallstone formation
• Women’s gallbladders empty slower than men’s

What We Teach at Northwest Career College

At Northwest Career College’s Medical Assistant Program, we study all of the body’s systems including digestive, circulatory, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, nervous, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal and urinary. Northwest prepares our graduates for both their national boards as well as their new careers and their new healthcare jobs!