The Gut-Brain Interaction:
Sex-Based Differences and Considerations

Gastrointestinal conditions are common, yet the ways they affect women and individuals with female physiology are often misunderstood or overlooked in clinical care. Differences in anatomy, hormones, and social context can shape symptom patterns, access to care, and long-term well-being.

“How do I provide care that fully reflects the biological and lived realities of my female patients?”

This workshop offers a grounded, clinically relevant exploration of sex-based differences and the intersection of gender identity and cultural expectations in GI conditions. You will leave with a clearer framework for understanding presentation, psychosocial impact, and practical ways to tailor assessment and treatment to better support females navigating these disorders.

• Sex-Based Differences in GI Conditions: Learn to identify 1–2 structural and hormonal factors that shape how females experience gastrointestinal conditions.

• Gender, Culture, and Identity: Explore how gender identity, social norms, and cultural expectations influence females’ lived experiences of GI conditions.

• Psychosocial Impact: Examine the ways gastrointestinal conditions affect females’ emotional, relational, and overall psychosocial well-being.

• Adapting Assessment and Treatment: Identify 2–3 practical modifications professionals can make to better tailor care to the unique needs of females with GI conditions.

• Patient Resources: Discover 2–3 patient-focused resources to support females living with gastrointestinal conditions.

About The Presenter

Dr. Ellen Joseph is a licensed Clinical Health Psychologist and Partnership Liaison for GI Psychology, specializing in disorders of the gut–brain connection. She earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology from the University of Denver and completed advanced training in integrated healthcare settings across the country.

Known for her genuine, empathetic style, Dr. Joseph helps patients feel understood while empowering them with practical, strengths-based strategies to navigate chronic and acute gastrointestinal conditions. She is also listed on the ROME Foundation provider database.