Guts UK, the national charity for the digestive system, has launched its Let’s Talk Guts campaign to encourage open conversations about digestive health. The week-long initiative, running from 13 to 19 July, aims to reduce stigma and help people feel more comfortable discussing gut symptoms with family, friends, healthcare professionals, and employers.
Why the campaign was launched
To mark the start of the campaign, Guts UK released findings from a public poll carried out by YouGov. The survey of 2,115 UK adults revealed significant barriers preventing people from discussing digestive symptoms or seeking medical help.
Persistent digestive symptoms affect 42% of UK adults, the poll found, yet only 47% say they would feel comfortable raising the subject with family or friends, and fewer than 4% feel comfortable speaking to their employer about symptoms.
Delays in seeking help
According to the survey results, a quarter of UK adults (25%) with persistent digestive symptoms waited more than six months before seeking medical advice. The main reasons cited were the belief that symptoms would resolve on their own (24%), the view that symptoms were not serious (21%), or embarrassment (7%). The poll also found that 11% of UK adults experiencing persistent symptoms had still not sought help at all.
The emotional impact
The research highlighted the emotional burden of living with digestive symptoms in silence. Among those who have experienced such symptoms, 40% reported feeling anxious, 38% worried, 28% embarrassed, and 28% uncertain. Nearly one in five adults (19%) reported experiencing negative feelings about their digestive symptoms.
Information sources and concerns
More than half of respondents (56%) said they turn to search engines and online tools for health information, whilst 22% use social media. However, nearly a fifth (19%) admitted they are not confident in verifying whether online health information is accurate, raising concerns about misinformation.
The poll also found that only 22% of people check their bowel movements regularly, with 21% not checking at all and 39% checking only from time to time.
Campaign resources
Guts UK has made a range of free digital resources available through the Let’s Talk Guts hub. These include conversation starters, myth busting content, and question prompts designed to help people discuss digestive health with those around them. The charity has also developed Traffic Light Cards, which allow people with digestive conditions to signal how they are feeling on a particular day without having to repeatedly explain themselves.
The campaign includes a free online tool called Poo-Torial, which helps people understand what their bowel movements may indicate about their health, including colour, consistency, and frequency.
What the charity says
The campaign encourages people to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #LetsTalkGuts and to participate in Coffee Morning Conversations fundraisers during July. Guts UK emphasised that the campaign is about normalising conversations around digestive health and empowering people to seek the help they need.
The charity’s helpline can be contacted on 0300 102 4887 for anyone needing information and support about digestive conditions or symptoms.
Reference
Guts UK. Let’s Talk Guts: It’s time to join the conversation! Published 13 July 2026. Available at: https://gutscharity.org.uk/2026/07/lets-talk-guts-starts-today-are-you-with-us/
This article is a journalistic summary for informational purposes only. It does not constitute clinical advice or a recommendation to alter treatment decisions.