If your stomach seems to have a schedule of its own—flaring up more in certain months—you’re not imagining things. For many people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the change in seasons can lead to changes in symptoms. Whether it’s spring allergies, summer heat, or winter comfort foods, your gut might be reacting more than you think.
Let’s break down what researchers have found and how you can manage those seasonal IBS swings.
1. Spring & Autumn = Allergy Season = IBS Flare-Up?
If you have IBS with more diarrhea-type symptoms (IBS-D) and you’re allergic to grass pollen, you might notice your stomach acts up more during allergy season.
A recent study followed IBS-D patients and found those with grass pollen allergies had worse bloating, pain, and discomfort in the spring and early Autumn.
On the other hand, people with dust mite allergies or no allergies didn’t see the same seasonal changes.
Takeaway: If pollen makes your nose itchy and your stomach angry, managing your allergies might help calm your IBS too.
Source: Rossi et al., 2025 – study on IBS-D and grass pollen allergies
2. Mood & Gut: The Winter Blues Are Real
Ever feel more sluggish, moody, or off during certain times of year—and your stomach follows suit?
In a study done, around 1 in 4 people with IBS said their symptoms (especially pain and poop problems) were noticeably worse during certain seasons. The researchers found that these shifts were often tied to emotional and behavioral changes—like feeling down or more tired—rather than full-blown depression.
Takeaway: If your mood shifts with the seasons, your gut might be following suit. Paying attention to your mental health can make a real difference.
Source: Talley et al., 1995 – study on seasonal symptom changes and mood in IBS
3. What You Eat (and the Weather) Matters Too
Even if you’re not allergic to anything or don’t notice mood changes, your IBS might still be affected by seasonal routines:
- Summer: More raw veggies, fruits, and salads = more fiber and sometimes more FODMAPs (gut-tricky carbs).
- Winter: Rich, heavy foods and lower activity levels can make constipation worse.
- Weather swings: Cold may speed up digestion (hello, urgency), while heat can lead to dehydration and sluggish bowels.
Also, less sunlight in winter messes with your body clock, which could affect your gut rhythm too!
Takeaway: Tune into what you’re eating and how the weather might be changing your digestion.
Expert commentary from JUVIA blog + general GI research on weather & circadian rhythms
Tips to Help Your Gut Stay Steady Year-Round
- Track your symptoms, with a journal or app watch for patterns tied to pollen, diet, mood, or temperature.
- Manage allergies proactively if you know they affect your gut—talk to your doctor about antihistamines or other options.
- Adjust your diet seasonally, some high-FODMAP foods are seasonal, so keep an eye on what your gut likes and dislikes.
- Take care of your mental health, especially during darker months. Light therapy, movement, or therapy can help.
- Stay hydrated, move regularly, and keep your routines as stable as possible
- Silicolgel, taken 3 times a day assists with IBS related symptoms by coating the stomach and intestines, binding to toxins, irritants, and excess acidity, and helping to remove them from the body.
Final Thoughts
IBS is already tricky—and throwing the seasons into the mix doesn’t help. But the more you learn about your unique patterns, the easier it becomes to predict and manage flare-ups. If you suspect allergies, stress, or even seasonal foods are part of your IBS puzzle, you’re not alone—and there are ways to take back control.
References:
- Rossi et al. (2025): [Study on grass pollen & IBS-D symptoms]
- Talley et al. (1995): [Seasonal symptom variation in IBS]
- JUVIA Blog: [How weather and mood influence gut health]