16 Aug This can make having sex more uncomfortable, even painful
Some people choose to insert fingers, a sex toy or 
a penis into a stoma
Research on the effect of being given a stoma has found it can improve libido (desire) and sexual satisfaction for people with Crohn's or Colitis – probably because people with a stoma no longer have many of the troublesome symptoms of Crohn's or Colitis.
Some of the research on IPAA or ‘pouch surgery' has shown that it can also have a positive effect on sexual functioning.
However, other studies have found that surgery ple, lead to increased tenderness of the abdominal wall or in the rectal area. It can also alter the position of the organs in the pelvis. As mentioned earlier, a different sexual position may also be able to give you useful advice.
In men, particularly those over 50, surgery to remove all or part of the bowel may occasionally cause or worsen difficulties with erections and with ejaculation. A small number of men with Crohn's or Colitis may experience this sort of problem even without surgery (and of course it can also happen in men without Crohn's or Colitis). These difficulties may be only temporary and may resolve over time. If they continue, it might be helpful to talk to your Crohn's or Colitis or colorectal surgery team about referral for treatment, for example with medication (such as Viagra) or a penile implant.
For some people, the removal of the rectum can impact on their preferred sex activities, such as anal sex. For more information about this, see Crohn's and Colitis and anal or oral sex .