Researchers also reported that stress is also a huge influencer in both conditions. “The start and the severity of the symptoms of IBS are related to acute and chronic stress. Therefore, patients with IBS have hyperactivity to stress,” they wrote.

It was also shown that chronic stress can lead to a change to the “hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis” – the way the hormone systems in the brain, ovaries and stress glands link – in patients with both IBS and PCOS.

The huge influence that the gut microbiome has on our total health also can’t be overlooked, says Dr Shortt. “Other common symptoms of PCOS include acne, inflammation and bloating – all of which are linked to the microbiome,” she says.

In a 2021 review, researchers reported that “changes in gut microbiota are correlated with hyperandrogenism [excessive levels of testosterone, androsterone and androstenedione in women], indicating that elevated levels of testosterone may regulate the composition of the gut microbiome in females.” They even found some preliminary evidence that taking pre- and probiotics helped some PCOS symptoms by levelling out gut bacteria.

The link between your period cycle and gut health: are IBS and PCOS linked?