What Is An Ileostomy

• An ileostomy is where the end of your small bowel is brought through an opening made in your tummy. The opening is called a stoma.
• You will no longer poo from your bottom - it will come out of the stoma into a pouch or bag you stick on your tummy.
• It's usually done because your large bowel needs to be removed, or rested after surgery.
• There are 2 types, an end or loop ileostomy.
• It may be temporary and reversed later, or permanent, depending on why it's needed.
• A stoma might be flat against your skin or stick out a couple of centimetres. It should be soft, slippery and pink, like the inside of your mouth.
• The stoma should not hurt, but it can bleed easily when scratched or wiped.
• The poo in the stoma bag is liquid or soft, like porridge. But you can still become constipated or have diarrhoea.
• You cannot control when poo, wind or bowel sounds come out your stoma. It might happen for a few hours each day or more often.

Sexual Health Advice

• Sexual Health Advice - Introduction and Overview
• The MenB vaccine that helps protect against gonorrhoea
• Sexual Health - Mpox and its dangers for Gay Men
• What happens when you visit an STI Clinic
• Ejaculation issues are common sexual problems in men
• The Male Menopause for men in their late 40s to early 50s
• Help and care if you have been Sexually Assaulted
• Mental health issues and self-harm are common amongst gay men