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Take our free 3-minute IBS quiz to check your symptoms. No email needed. 

Instructions:

Answer the following questions based on your symptoms over the last 3 months. If you answer “Yes” to the required number of questions, you may meet the criteria for IBS. However, always consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. 

To find out how IBS Clinics may be able to help you book a free 15 minute IBS online consultation.

Section 1: Abdominal Pain

1. Have you experienced recurrent abdominal pain on average at least 1 day per week over the last 3 months?
   • Yes
   • No
2. Is your abdominal pain related to bowel movements (e.g., pain improves or worsens after going to the bathroom)?
   • Yes
   • No

Section 2: Changes in Bowel Habits

1. Have you noticed a change in the frequency of your stools (e.g., going more or less often than usual)?
   • Yes
   • No
2. Have you noticed a change in the appearance (form) of your stools (e.g., harder, looser, or lumpy)?
   • Yes
   • No

Section 3: Additional Symptoms

1. Do you often feel bloated or experience abdominal distension (a feeling of fullness or swelling in your belly)?
   • Yes
   • No
2. Do you experience mucus in your stool?
   • Yes
   • No
3. Do you feel like you haven’t fully emptied your bowels after a bowel movement?
   • Yes
   • No

Section 4: Duration and Frequency

1. Have these symptoms been present for at least 6 months?
   • Yes
   • No
2. Have these symptoms occurred at least once a week over the last 3 months?
   • Yes
   • No

Scoring and Interpretation

• If you answered “Yes” to:
  • Question 1 (abdominal pain) AND
  • At least two of Questions 2, 3, or 4 (related to bowel movements, stool frequency, or stool form) AND
  • Question 8 (symptoms present for 6 months) AND
  • Question 9 (symptoms occurring at least once a week for 3 months),
• You may meet the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for IBS.
• If you answered “No” to any of the above, your symptoms may not align with IBS.

Next Steps

• If your answers suggest IBS, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.
• Keep a symptom diary to track your bowel habits, pain, and triggers (e.g., food, stress).
• Rule out other conditions (e.g., celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease) through appropriate testing.

Taken Our IBS Quiz? Here’s What to Know Next

If you’ve just completed our IBS quiz, you might be feeling a mix of relief, curiosity, or uncertainty. The quiz is a useful starting point to help you recognise whether your symptoms match typical patterns of irritable bowel syndrome. 

While it can’t give a formal diagnosis, it can guide you toward the right next steps – whether that’s speaking to your GP, exploring further testing, or making small changes at home to support your gut. If you would like to understand more about how a nutritionist can help you, we offer a free 15-minute preliminary chat with an online nutritionist.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what your results could mean, how IBS is usually assessed, and what options are available here in the UK to help you move forward with confidence.

How Can I Test Myself for IBS?

Understanding the purpose of IBS quizzes

If you’re dealing with ongoing digestive symptoms like bloating, cramps, or unpredictable bowel movements, it’s natural to start looking for answers. IBS quizzes, like the one you’ve just taken, are designed to help you recognise whether your symptoms are consistent with irritable bowel syndrome.

These quizzes aren’t diagnostic tools – there’s currently no single test that can definitively confirm IBS. Instead, they help you reflect on the type, frequency, and pattern of your symptoms, and can give you a clearer idea of whether it’s worth exploring the condition further with a healthcare professional.

While the NHS doesn’t offer an official online IBS quiz, tools like our quiz can be a helpful starting point. They’re especially useful if you’re not ready to speak to your GP yet, or if you simply want to get a better sense of what might be going on. If you suspect your symptoms indicate IBS, take a look at our articles Symptoms of IBS in Men or Woman IBS Pain Location to get a more specific and detailed picture of what your symptoms may indicate. 

Self-assessments like these can also help rule out the possibility of other conditions, for example, you may be wondering whether your symptoms are more in line with Crohn’s disease or IBS, or whether you’re just recovering from a stomach bug. Taking a quiz can help you narrow things down and decide on your next steps.

IBS or Something Else?

When you’re dealing with digestive symptoms, it’s not always easy to tell whether it’s IBS or something more serious. Many conditions can cause similar signs, from short-term infections to long-term inflammatory diseases. That’s why it’s important to understand when it’s time to seek further investigation.

Is it a stomach bug or IBS?

Stomach bugs and IBS can feel very similar in the early stages. Both may cause cramping, bloating, diarrhoea, or nausea. The key difference is in how long the symptoms last. A stomach bug usually clears up within a few days, whereas IBS tends to stick around or come and go over a longer period.

If your symptoms have been ongoing for several weeks or follow a clear pattern linked to food or stress, it could point more towards IBS. But if you’ve had a sudden onset of symptoms after illness or travel, a temporary infection or post-infectious IBS could also be to blame.

When to see your GP for further investigation

While IBS is common and often manageable, there are times when it’s important to rule out more serious conditions. If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or affecting your daily life, it’s important to speak to your GP. They can help rule out other conditions, such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or even certain types of cancer. 

Always speak to your GP if you notice any of the following red flags:

• Unexplained weight loss

• Bleeding from the back passage

• Persistent or severe pain that doesn’t improve

• A change in bowel habits in people over 50

• Symptoms that wake you during the night

• A family history of bowel conditions, including bowel cancer

Your GP may recommend further tests, such as a blood test, stool sample, or referral to a specialist, to rule out other causes before confirming a diagnosis of IBS.

Even if it turns out to be IBS, getting proper medical advice can give you peace of mind and help you access the right support sooner.

What Are the Testing Options for IBS in the UK?

Getting a diagnosis of IBS can be frustrating, especially when there’s no single test that confirms it. In the UK, diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and by ruling out other conditions such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Your GP may recommend blood tests, stool tests, or even a referral to a specialist to help with this process.

IBS test at home: how reliable are they?

At-home test kits are becoming increasingly popular for those who want to investigate their gut health without waiting for a referral. While these tests don’t provide a formal diagnosis of IBS, they can give you valuable insights into what might be going on beneath the surface.

At IBS Clinics, we offer several comprehensive stool test options which are advanced tests available for assessing gut health and cost between £210.00 and £375.00, depending on the level of detail and customisation required.

Comprehensive stool tests are designed to identify the root cause of a wide range of gastrointestinal complaints, including:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Metabolic Syndrome

• Chronic Fatigue

• Autoimmune Conditions

• Type 2 Diabetes

• High Blood Pressure

If you’ve recently experienced sudden changes in bowel movements, especially after travelling abroad or camping, stool tests can also check for parasites, which are a common but overlooked cause of gut disruption.

Comprehensive stool testing looks at gut inflammation, digestive function, and the balance of bacteria in your microbiome. It can also include optional add-ons for things like intestinal permeability, nutrient absorption, and how your body is metabolising key compounds.

For anyone who suspects their IBS may be linked to deeper gut imbalances or other health conditions, these tests offer a detailed picture that can be used to guide personalised treatment.

While no home test can replace the clinical judgement of a healthcare professional, high-quality options like these can be a useful step toward understanding your gut and  accessing effective and personalised treatment, helping you feel more in control of your health.

What to Do If Your Quiz Result Suggests IBS

If your quiz result points towards IBS, the next step is to start paying closer attention to your symptoms and how they respond to everyday choices. While a quiz can’t confirm a diagnosis, it’s a helpful first step toward understanding your gut and deciding what to do next.

Lifestyle changes and symptom tracking

One of the best things you can do is begin tracking your symptoms. Note what you eat, how you feel after meals, your stress levels, and any changes in bowel movements. This can help you spot patterns and identify possible triggers, whether it’s certain foods, eating too quickly, or high-stress days.

Simple lifestyle changes can also make a noticeable difference. These might include eating smaller, more frequent meals, reducing caffeine and alcohol, managing stress through techniques like yoga or meditation, and getting enough sleep. While these changes don’t “cure” IBS, they can help reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.

How functional medicine or nutritional therapy can help

Functional medicine and nutritional therapy take a more in-depth look at your gut health. Rather than just focusing on symptom relief, these approaches aim to find and address the root causes of your IBS symptoms.

At IBS Clinics, our practitioners use advanced testing, such as the GI Effects stool test, to build a personalised treatment plan. This might include dietary adjustments, supplements, and lifestyle support tailored to your specific needs.

If you’ve been struggling with symptoms for a while and feel like you’ve tried everything, working with a functional medicine practitioner or registered nutritionist can provide a more comprehensive and personalised path forward.

Conclusion

If your IBS quiz result suggests that your symptoms may be linked to irritable bowel syndrome, you’re not alone – and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. While there’s no single test that can confirm IBS, there are many tools and approaches that can help you understand what’s going on and how to manage it.

From simple lifestyle changes and symptom tracking to advanced testing and personalised support, there are effective ways to get your gut health back on track. Whether you’re looking for clarity, relief, or a long-term plan, IBS Clinics is here to help you take that next step with confidence.

Author – Tracey Randell

At IBS Clinics, Tracey Randell, a renowned Nutritional Therapist and one of the few IFM Certified Practitioners in the UK, extends her specialised knowledge and unique approach to managing and treating IBS and other gut-related conditions effectively.

Tracey’s profound understanding of Functional Medicine allows her to connect the dots for complex health conditions, identifying and addressing the root causes to curate personalised and comprehensive health plans for her patients. Her holistic approach focuses on resolving underlying imbalances and optimising gut health, enabling the body to correct other issues and attain overall well-being.

At IBS Clinics, we are dedicated to being your partner in navigating your gut-related health concerns, offering expert care and individualised treatment plans to alleviate your IBS symptoms and enhance your quality of life.

You can read more about Tracey on our About page here.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The products and methods mentioned are not a substitute for professional medical advice from a trained healthcare specialist. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Use of the information and products discussed is at your own risk.