A NEW study sheds light on the broader consequences of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), linking it to significantly higher rates of depression, impaired sexual function, and poorer overall quality of life.
The cross-sectional study compared three groups of sexually active adults—patients with IBS, individuals with depression (but not IBS), and healthy controls. Each group included 49 participants recruited from internal clinics in Hamedan, Iran. Researchers used validated questionnaires to assess mental health (Beck Depression Inventory), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and sexual function (FSFI for women, MSHQ for men).
Results revealed that both IBS and depression groups reported significantly higher depression scores than healthy individuals. While quality of life was similarly diminished in both the IBS and depression groups, it was notably lower than in the control group. Importantly, sexual performance in both men and women differed significantly across all three groups, with the IBS group performing worse than healthy controls.
A strong inverse correlation was found between depression and quality of life (r = -0.71, P = 0.001), and depression also negatively affected male sexual performance (r = -0.55, P = 0.001). In contrast, better sexual function was associated with improved quality of life in men (r = 0.335, P < 0.001).
The findings underscore that depression is a significant—but not the sole—factor affecting sexual dysfunction in IBS. The study authors note that physiological symptoms, medication side effects, and psychological stress also contribute to impaired sexual health in this population.
Clinicians treating IBS should be aware of the condition’s psychosocial impact and consider holistic management strategies that address both mental and sexual health alongside gastrointestinal symptoms.
Reference
Keshavarzi A et al. Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. BMC Gastroenterol. 2025;DOI: 10.1186/s12876-025-04102-8.
