IBS forces sex ban

MANY Britons suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) find their illness embarrassing, with one in six saying they keep it a secret from family and friends.

Some said it had a serious effect on their love life, with one in five avoiding having sex with their partner as a result of the condition, and 18 per cent saying that they wouldn’t go on a date during a flare-up.

Over a quarter of IBS sufferers say it affects which clothes they wear, while 24 per cent said they would avoid going out for dinner, research by Buscopan IBS Relief found.

However, while IBS can have a negative impact on daily life, symptoms such as abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation can be managed by reducing stress, sticking to a healthy diet and the use of medication to relieve cramps.