Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will host a conference on September 13 focusing on the impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on women’s health. The event aims to address specific challenges women face with IBD and provide guidance for both patients and healthcare providers.
Puja V. Khanna, MD, clinical director of the Cedars-Sinai Inflammatory Bowel Disease Women’s Health Program, explained the structure of the event: “In the morning, we will host a clinician track on best practices for treating women with IBD. In the afternoon, patients and families are invited to a dedicated session covering pregnancy, fertility, nutrition, mental health and more. There is also time for patients and providers to connect.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3 million people in the United States have IBD. The condition causes ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract and includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis as its most common forms. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with some patients experiencing issues such as diarrhea, malnutrition, blood clots, or scarring.
While IBD affects men and women at similar rates overall, Khanna noted that women often encounter unique health issues related to hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy. “For women living with IBD, simply knowing that their needs are recognized and that there is a community and program designed for them can be incredibly empowering,” Khanna said.
Khanna discussed differences in how IBD presents in men versus women: “While inflammatory bowel disease occurs at about the same rate in both sexes, women often present differently. After age 30, Crohn’s disease is more common in women than in men. We also see sex-specific patterns: Women are more likely to have Crohn’s limited to the colon, less extensive ulcerative colitis, and more frequent extraintestinal conditions, such as eye inflammation and skin disorders. Recognizing these differences is critical for timely diagnosis and effective management.”
She added that while diagnostic procedures do not differ by sex—typically involving colonoscopy or imaging—the course of illness may vary due to hormonal influences: “Women may experience flares around hormonal changes… Treatment approaches are generally the same for men and women but side effects can differ.”
Khanna emphasized considerations regarding reproductive health: “Absolutely. Many women report worsening symptoms during menstruation due to hormone fluctuations. Fertility can be reduced in women with active inflammation or prior pelvic surgery… Pregnancy outcomes are best when disease is in remission for at least three to six months before conception.” She highlighted that most medications can continue safely during pregnancy except certain drugs like methotrexate.
Delays in diagnosis were another topic addressed by Khanna: “Many women do face delays… My advice is to advocate for yourself. If you are not being heard, seek a second opinion.”
Khanna also described benefits of multidisciplinary care through an example from her practice: “That sense of not being given up on… can be life-changing for patients living with a chronic illness.”
The conference will take place at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles—a hospital founded in 1902 which admitted over 50,000 patients according to its latest annual report (https://www.cedars-sinai.org/about/annual-report.html). Registration is required but attendance is free.
More information about Crohn’s disease experiences can be found on the Cedars-Sinai Blog.
