AUTHOR=Blumenstein Irina , Sonnenberg Elena TITLE=Sex- and gender-related differences in inflammatory bowel diseases JOURNAL=Frontiers in Gastroenterology VOLUME=2 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/gastroenterology/articles/10.3389/fgstr.2023.1199687 DOI=10.3389/fgstr.2023.1199687 ISSN=2813-1169 ABSTRACT=

This review provides an overview of the current data regarding sex- and gender-specific aspects in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. A particular focus will be on disease course, medical and surgical treatment strategies, psychosocial differences, and special requirements during pregnancy and family planning. The most significant and clinically meaningful gender differences in IBD relate to psychosocial functioning. Although depression, fatigue, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and sexual dysfunction also occur in male IBD patients, women seem to be affected much more frequently and severely in these areas.