NATIONAL2BASSOCIATION2BFOR2BCONTINENCE2BURINARY2BINCONTINENCE2BEDUCATION 1024x145 1
Donate Now
Search
Donate Now
Subscribe
NATIONAL2BASSOCIATION2BFOR2BCONTINENCE2BURINARY2BINCONTINENCE2BEDUCATION
Search
Donate Now
[give_form id="19690"]

Ask The Doc: What’s The Difference Between IBS And IBD?

Browse By Topic
Urinary incontinence
Bowel health
Pelvic floor
Caregiving
More +
Search
URINARY INCONTINENCE
BOWEL HEALTH
PELVIC HEALTH
CAREGIVING
MORE+

Question: What’s the difference between IBS and Crohn’s Disease? Could I have both?

Answer: While both of these conditions seem to have similar symptoms, they are in fact different, and, yes, it is possible for someone to have both at the same time. Here’s a quick breakdown of the two:

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that affects parts of the digestive tract. Symptoms often include diarrhea, a frequent need to move your bowels, stomach pain, and bloating (all symptoms of IBS). However, with Crohn’s disease, patients also may notice things like vomiting, tiredness, weight loss, fever, or even bleeding.  It’s not certain what causes Crohn’s disease, but most experts believe it is an abnormality in the immune system that can trigger the condition. Chron’s disease is also more common in those with a family history of the disease.

IBS (also called “spastic colon”) carries similar symptoms to Crohn’s disease – cue the diarrhea, frequent trips to the bathroom, and stomach pain.  However, treatment for Crohn’s disease and IBS are different so it pays to be examined for both so that you understand what is causing your symptoms and you can treat it appropriately.  Testing for both conditions can be done with a physical exam, blood test, and usually a colonoscopy or other type of endoscopy procedure.

If you experience any symptoms related to IBS or Crohn’s disease, make an appointment with your doctor today to get tested.

Are you an expert in incontinence care? Would you like to join the NAFC expert panel? Contact us!

Comments

One Response

  1. I have had six children & also radiation for endometrial carsonomer of the uterous. Could that be reason for incontinence of bowel? I am now 80 yrs. young.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A blue and white circular badge with the text TRUSTED PARTNER on top, SERVICE EXCELLENCE on the bottom, NAFC 2026 in the center, and white stars on a ribbon-like design on each side.

Click here for more about our Trusted Partners, including special offers on products and services.

pelvic floor power podcast

Related Articles

Five women of varying ages stand close together, smiling and laughing. The text discusses vital conversations on health—from postpartum to incontinence after prostate cancer surgery—on the Life Without Leaks NAFC podcast.

From Postpartum to Postmenopause: The Conversations Women Need to Have

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Barbara Frank of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace, an innovative manufacturer of incontinence products.

Together, we explore the realities of bladder leaks and pelvic floor health during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause, and we discuss why more women are finally beginning to talk more openly about their experiences.

The conversation covers:
• The connection between hormones, menopause and bladder leaks
• Why pelvic floor therapy is having a major moment
• The surprising relationship between pelvic floor tension and incontinence
• How products can impact skin health, comfort and UTIs
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy
• Why community and conversation matter so much in women’s health

Alex also shares the story behind Attn: Grace and the company’s mission to create cleaner, plant-based incontinence products designed to support women with comfort, dignity and confidence.

Whether you’re navigating postpartum recovery, menopause symptoms or simply looking to better understand pelvic health, this episode offers expert insights, practical advice and an encouraging reminder that no one should feel alone in these experiences.

A person sitting on a beige bath mat is placing an incontinence pad into their underwear for skin protection. A box labeled Attn: Grace with blue designs sits on the mat nearby.

Ask The Expert: From A Doctor’s Perspective What Are Some Common Questions You Hear?

If you’ve ever sneezed and held your breath hoping for the best, you’re not alone. Bladder leaks, pelvic floor issues, and the constellation of symptoms that go with them are incredibly common — and incredibly under-discussed. We sat down with two of our favorite experts who are changing the bladder leak conversation: Dr. Barbara Frank, Attn: Grace medical advisor and board certified OB/GYN, and Dr. Sara Reardon, pelvic floor physical therapist (and the woman your pelvic floor has been waiting to meet). They took turns asking each other the questions their patients ask most — and answered them with the same candor they bring to the exam room. They cover everything from how to prepare for postpartum, to what question to ask your own pelvic floor PT, to how to manage incontinence during menopause. This is a knowledge drop you don’t want to miss.

Two older women smiling and walking together on a sunny neighborhood sidewalk, one holding a coffee cup. Both enjoy the confidence provided by discreet incontinence products for women. Trees and houses line the street in the background.

How Aging Changes Bladder Control — What Most People Don’t Expect

As an RN who’s worked in geriatrics for over 14 years, I know first hand that changes in bladder control can be a common part of aging. However, what I’ve also learned is that the treatment and management of these changes differ depending on whether they are due to aging or other conditions.
If you’re experiencing more frequent trips to the bathroom or sudden, intense urges to urinate, you might be wondering what is going on and what you can do about it. Let’s talk through some of the changes that might be going on in your body and how you can be better prepared to manage your bladder control.

Five women of varying ages stand close together, smiling and laughing. The text discusses vital conversations on health—from postpartum to incontinence after prostate cancer surgery—on the Life Without Leaks NAFC podcast.

From Postpartum to Postmenopause: The Conversations Women Need to Have

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Barbara Frank of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace, an innovative manufacturer of incontinence products.

Together, we explore the realities of bladder leaks and pelvic floor health during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause, and we discuss why more women are finally beginning to talk more openly about their experiences.

The conversation covers:
• The connection between hormones, menopause and bladder leaks
• Why pelvic floor therapy is having a major moment
• The surprising relationship between pelvic floor tension and incontinence
• How products can impact skin health, comfort and UTIs
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy
• Why community and conversation matter so much in women’s health

Alex also shares the story behind Attn: Grace and the company’s mission to create cleaner, plant-based incontinence products designed to support women with comfort, dignity and confidence.

Whether you’re navigating postpartum recovery, menopause symptoms or simply looking to better understand pelvic health, this episode offers expert insights, practical advice and an encouraging reminder that no one should feel alone in these experiences.