Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel complaint: bloating, cramps, abdominal pain and changes in stool – diarrhoea, constipation or both in turn. The diagnosis is made by a doctor after ruling out other causes.

This category is part of Probiotics for adults, children and babies and brings together probiotics and products specifically intended for people with IBS.

Products in our range

Composition, strains and directions are listed on each product page. Some of these products are registered as food supplements and some as medical devices – check the label.

How to choose and how long to take it

• With IBS, the specific probiotic strain matters, not just the number of bacteria
• Take one product regularly for at least four weeks before judging whether it suits you
• Keep a short food and symptom diary – it helps to identify triggers
• Do not change several things at once (probiotic, diet, teas), or you will not know what helped

When you must see a doctor

• blood in the stool, black stool or anaemia
• unintended weight loss
• symptoms that wake you at night or first appeared after the age of 50
• fever, persistent vomiting
• coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or bowel cancer in the family

See also

• Probiotics for adults, children and babies
• Bloating and gas remedies
• Constipation remedies
• Diarrhoea remedies