Everyone has digestive problems from time to time—an upset stomach, gas, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea. Many digestive problems may be uncomfortable or embarrassing, but they are not serious and don't last long. Others can be controlled with simple changes in your diet. But sometimes even common digestive symptoms can be signs of a more serious problem. Knowing when you should talk to your doctor can help you take care of your digestive health.
How the digestive system works
The digestive tract is a series of hollow organs—the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus—through which food and liquids pass and are absorbed or eliminated. Along the way, two solid digestive organs, the liver and the pancreas, add digestive juices to help break down food into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body. Another organ, the gallbladder, stores bile between meals. Bile is the digestive juice produced by the liver that helps digest fats. At mealtime, the gallbladder empties bile into the small intestine. Most nutrients in digested food are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. There, they are used to build and nourish cells and provide energy. Waste products, including the undigested parts of food known as fiber, leave the body through bowel movements.
Common signs of digestive problems

Common digestive complaints such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas, heart-burn, diarrhea, and constipation can be temporary. They can be caused by certain types of food, food contaminated with harmful bacteria, flu or other short-term illness, menstruation, or pregnancy. But sometimes these symptoms are signs of a more serious digestive disease or other health problem.  
Some digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome and gallstones, are more common in women than men. Others occur equally in both sexes, but affect women in unique ways. For example, women with inflammatory bowel disease may have irregular menstrual periods. Some women with celiac disease experience infertility or miscarriage. And heartburn caused by gastroesophageal  reflux is especially common in pregnancy. Here is an overview of the most common digestive disorders affecting women.