subject: 3 Things That Cause IBS [print this page] One final thing that this not necessarily the cause of irritable bowel syndrome but it certainly is a trigger is stress. People today are stressed regularly and it may be very difficult for you to avoid having the stress, simply because it is a part of our lives. In order to overcome these problems, it is necessary for you to find coping mechanisms that will keep the stress from welling up in you and causing your irritable bowel problems. This is just another way that you can reduce your discomfort and the symptoms that you are experiencing.