IBS-C (CONSTIPATION-PREDOMINANT IBS)

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. It aims to help you better understand gut-related issues, but the causes and diagnoses of these conditions are often complex and overlapping, with potential for misdiagnosis. This is why it’s essential to consult a qualified healthcare provider, such as a gastroenterologist or your doctor, for proper evaluation and advice tailored to your needs.

IBS-C (CONSTIPATION-PREDOMINANT IBS)

IBS-C is the constipation-dominant form of IBS, defined by recurrent abdominal pain associated with hard, infrequent stools and a sense of incomplete evacuation. The condition reflects slowed transit, visceral hypersensitivity, and, in some cases, pelvic-floor dyssynergia, alongside microbiome changes and gut–brain dysregulation.

While the bowel looks normal on tests, sufferers experience bloating, straining, and discomfort that improve when stooling becomes easier and more regular.

SYMPTOMS

Recurrent abdominal pain related to defecation
Hard/lumpy stools ≥25% of BMs; loose stools <25%
Straining; incomplete evacuation
Bloating and abdominal distension
Mucus in stool (sometimes)
Symptoms often improve after a bowel movement

CAUSES

IBS-C combines slow colonic transit with heightened sensitivity to luminal stretch.

Motility delay (colonic inertia) causes excess water reabsorption → hard stools.

Pelvic-floor dyssynergia (outlet dysfunction) impairs evacuation despite urge.

Diet/behavior (low fiber/fluids, inactivity, irregular meals) and medications (opioids, anticholinergics, iron, calcium) aggravate delay.

Methane-predominant overgrowth slows transit further.

Gut–brain dysregulation sustains pain, bloating, and incomplete-emptying sensations.

COMPLICATIONS

Haemorrhoids/fissures
Significant quality of life reduction

DIAGNOSIS

Positive Clinical Diagnosis (Rome criteria) is first-line after excluding alarm features.

Basic Tests often include full blood count, TSH, and calcium (selected cases).

Physiologic Testing (for persistent symptoms) includes anorectal manometry and balloon expulsion test to detect pelvic-floor dyssynergia, with colonic transit studies (radiopaque markers/scintigraphy) when slow transit is suspected.

Endoscopy is indicated for red flags or age-appropriate cancer screening.

TREATMENT INDICATION

Treatment focuses on softening stool/improving transit, reducing pain/bloat, and normalizing routines.

Diet & Fluids: increase soluble fibre (e.g., PHGG/psyllium) gradually; consistent hydration, regular meals, movement.
Osmotic Laxatives (first-line): PEG/macrogol; stimulant laxatives PRN for rescue.
Prescription Secretagogues/Prokinetics: linaclotide or plecanatide (improve stool + pain); prucalopride (5-HT4 agonist) for slow transit.
Pelvic-Floor Biofeedback if dyssynergia suspected (gold standard for outlet dysfunction).
Adjuncts: peppermint oil for pain/bloat; probiotics (strain-specific) for gas/bloating; enzyme blends if meal-related discomfort.
Emerging: neuromodulation strategies; digital gut-brain therapies.

SUPPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATION

REPOPULATING YOUR GUT MICROBIOME WITH THE RIGHT GOOD BACTERIA
Repopulating your gut microbiome with the right good bacteria to improve its function and role within your health will start resolving your symptoms.
Ensure you only take a probiotic that meets pharmaceutical grade standards to ensure efficacy and that dose delivery for symptom improvement, (uses gold-standard strains backed by clinical evidence for efficacy, with a minimum dose of 10 Billion CFU’s, protects it bacterial dose by ensuring shelf stability and full stomach acid protection with targeted delivery of the bacteria to your intestine, and meets all other quality metrics).The bacteria in your microbiome improves digestion and nutrient absorption, acts at the guts pharmacy – making vitamins, producing SCFA’s and other important metabolites, like serotonin. It is both the boss of and manager of our immune system. They Influence our brain and hormones, improve our mood + how our brain work. The microbiome also influence our Metabolic and Hormonal system/health.
HEALING THE WHOLE GUT SYSTEM, IMPROVING THE STRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND FUNCTION
This condition can affect the gut structure, environment and function, leading to an overall decline in the performance of the whole gut system. This results in gut inflammation, increased oxidative levels altered colonic PH levels. It impairs; immune capabilities, cell function, barrier function, digestion and metabolic health. Which makes it harder for good bacteria to survive in your gut, and easier for pathogens to take over – leading to a negative-cyclical feedback loop that keeps you unhealthy, compromised and struggling with severe symptoms.

Probitec Intrinsic Bowel Support (30 capsules) and Probitec Gastro (10 capsules), have 8-strains and 20 Billion CFU’s, housed in the worlds most advanced probiotics capsule.

Probitec Fibre+ is a 3-in-1 formula of prebiotic fibre, glutamine and digestive enzymes, designed to enhance the composition and integrity of the whole gut system

The strains have over 120 studies confirming significant relief and improvement of the symptoms associated with the following:

Abdominal pain and discomfort
Diarrhoea, constipation
Bowel regularity and motility
Gas and bloating
Enhancing the gut-brain axis, reducing stress and improving mood
Improving Immunity and combatting pathogenic infections and overgrowth
Enhancing Intestinal Integrity
Reducing gut inflammation
Relieving GI distress or dysbiosis
Improving Quality of Life issues such as fatigue, brain fog and skin conditions.