Yellow stool with IBS: Causes and treatments (2024)

Written by Daney Helgadóttir

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition that affects the large intestine. It can cause various symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, and sometimes even yellow stool.

Knowing more about the link between IBS and yellow stool, as well as understanding the treatment options available, can help you better understand and manage your condition.

IBS may cause yellow stool for several reasons.

A 2018 review of studies found that IBS may change the gut microbiota, which is the name for the healthy bacteria living in your gastrointestinal system, or gut, which includes your stomach, intestines, and colon. In turn, this may affect the metabolism of bile acids found in your gut.

Bile acids are produced by the liver. Bile is typically greenish-yellow in color and helps in the digestion of fats.

As stool passes through your intestines, gut bacteria break down the bile, which turns it brown. If bile breakdown is reduced, such as when there are issues with the gut microbiota, your stools may look yellow.

According to a 2023 article, another potential cause of yellow stool is steatorrhea.

This is the presence of extra fat in the stool. It can make stools bulky, oily, and pale or yellow in color. The condition can be associated with IBS, in addition to other gastrointestinal disorders.

Other possible causes of discolored stool may not be related to IBS. Dietary factors, certain supplements, liver issues, gallbladder disorders, and other health conditions can also contribute.

If you have noticed that your stools have changed appearance, consider consulting a doctor who can help identify the underlying causes and provide a suitable treatment plan.

Other IBS symptoms

In addition to yellow stool, IBS is associated with a variety of symptoms. A 2016 research review mentions:

• Stomach pain: Cramping or discomfort is a common IBS symptom. The pain may vary in intensity, location, and frequency.
• Diarrhea: IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) leads to frequent, loose, and watery stools, often accompanied by a sense of urgency.
• Constipation: IBS with constipation (IBS-C) can cause infrequent bowel movements, difficulty passing stools, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
• Bloating: Stomach bloating and excess gas are frequent in those with IBS. It may be worsened by certain foods or drinks — for instance, if you have any food intolerances.
• Mixed bowel habits: Some individuals experience a mixed pattern of diarrhea and constipation, known as IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M).
• Many or few bowel movements: People with IBS may have bowel movements very frequently, more than three times per day, or very rarely, fewer than three times per week.
• Nongastrointestinal symptoms: Some people with IBS may also experience symptoms beyond their stomach and gut. These may include chronic fatigue, sleep issues, or muscle and joint pain.

IBS treatments

The 2016 article referenced above highlights that effective management of IBS often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and medications.

Dietary changes

• Increase fiber intake: Fiber may speed up how long food takes to pass through your colon and increase stool bulk and frequency. Soluble fiber may be more effective than insoluble fiber. Good sources include fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as fiber supplements.
• Identifying trigger foods: Certain foods may worsen IBS symptoms in some people. Consider keeping a diary of your symptoms and diet, or talk with a healthcare professional to explore whether an elimination diet is worth a try. An elimination diet can help you identify your potential trigger foods.
• Probiotics: Although research on the link between probiotics and IBS is scarce, probiotic supplements and foods may help promote a healthy gut flora balance and improve IBS symptoms.

Lifestyle changes

• Stress management: Sometimes, stress may trigger IBS. So, practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or mindfulness may help ease symptoms. Still, more research is needed in this area.
• Psychological treatment: Evidence from 2019 suggests that some people with IBS may benefit from mental health treatment options like cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Regular exercise: Low levels of exercise is a risk factor for IBS, so getting more physical activity may help promote bowel regularity and reduce bloating.

Medications

• Antispasmodics: These medications help ease cramping and discomfort. Examples include hyoscyamine (Levbid) and dicyclomine (Bentyl).
• Laxatives: For individuals with IBS-C, certain laxatives may help relieve constipation. Examples include polyethylene glycol (Miralax) and lactulose (Generlac).
• Antidiarrheal medications: These medications can help manage diarrhea in cases of IBS-D. Examples include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
• Probiotics: These help balance the healthy bacteria in your gut, reducing symptoms of IBS. One example is saccharomyces boulardii lyo (Florastor).
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): There is some evidence from 2018 that these can relieve pain and improve mood in some cases of IBS. However, doctors generally do not prescribe antidepressants for this purpose. Examples include doxepin (Silenor), amitriptyline (Elavil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft).

It is a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and personalized treatment recommendations.

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Summary

Yellow stool in IBS can be the result of reduced bile breakdown or fat in the stool. Other potential causes are not related to IBS, such as your diet or other health conditions.

While occasional changes in stool color may be nothing to worry about, persistent yellow stool accompanied by other symptoms of IBS should prompt a visit to a healthcare professional for evaluation and management.

In addition to yellow stool, other common symptoms of IBS include stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and alternating symptoms.

Management of IBS can involve dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and medications, which may vary depending on the main symptoms you experience. A doctor can help tailor a treatment plan to you and your conditions.

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