I was reading alot about men having problems with sex after surgeries. I'm in the process of my surgeries. I was wondering if women have this problem too. Is it difficult, painful, unpleasant? I'm 29 and my sex drive sucked for the last few years being sick with uc ( and not knowing it!!) Now that my colon is out I feel like myself again! Any responses would be appreciated!

I didn't have any complications from the surgery that affected sex. I haven't heard of women having much problems in fact, like you said, it's harder when you're sick.
I think it was awkward during the stoma days but after that, it's good again. It's great once you are feeling healthy and happy with your body.

It can go both ways on this issue. Some people do much better since the diseased colon is gone and they feel so much better. Others have a lot of pain down there from all the surgeries and sex isn't great. I don't think that is the norm though.

If you do a search on Pain during Sex you'll find a couple of threads on this topic.
I'm okay for the most part but there are definitely some positions that are a bit painful and I have to avoid or just take things slowly.

After I got the pouch it took a while for sex to feel really good again. I had to adjust to my "new" body. But after a while it felt like it used to and in some cases even better because I wasn't sick so we could be together more often. Even a year and a half later it still is uncomfortable if we have sex too close to my period. Just remember to talk with your partner about your concerns outside of the bedroom - and then go for it in the bedroom. In our experience, my husband was concerned he might hurt me after the surgeries. I also found that using lube helps at first after your surgeries just to help things ease in better.
A side note: I would tell my husband after my surgeries that the more we did it the less scar tissue I would get. I don't think that's true - but hey - if he needs a little motivation - it helps.

Painful sex is one of side effects my surgeon talked to me about. I didn't think twice about it. I was fine after the first step. I haven't had anything even close to normal sex since takedown. It is very painful. My surgeon said if the pain was from the surgery, it would have started right after step one. 6-8 months ago they did find a bartholin cyst, and another cyst outside the vagina that was connected to the bartholin gland, and removed both of them. Before I was completely healed from the surgery, the outside cyst came back. My gyno also said the pain could be peri-menopausal. The vaginal opening shrinks with age, or somethig like that, making it painful. So I haven't figured out if its from the surgery of just coincidental timing.

By definition we are all different and so are our bodies...especially once someone has been in there with a scalple!!!!
Plus you must factor in age and the distance or proximity to 'the change'!
I have found (I am 47) that my last 2 years of non-stop surgery has caused havock with my sex-life...plus I lost my period 2 years ago (post -op shock???) either way kindness, sensitivity and lub do wonders to help ease the pain, driness and discomfort...position counts too..you may have to find a position that does not put pressure on the wrong spot...experimentation is a wonderful thing in a couple and trying to find the right position can be incorporated into the game...the most important thing is to not be shy about expressingyour needs and desires and of course discomfort levels and fear...losing the disease is a great aphrodisiac but gaining complications is not
communication, even non verbal (for us shy types ) helps a lot...
And asking us friends here for help doesn't hurt either!
Good luck
sharon

I found the immediate recovery days to be uncomfortable and some gentle approach was necessary. The appliance was an emotional road block for me and while my husband never said anything I feel he was uncomfortable with it as well.
Otherwise with time to heal most things became fairly normal. Having the very sick colon removed helped me feel better. That outweighed any minor discomfort.

I am so glad someone posted this question. I am in a relationship where I am considering the next step, and have not had sex since my colon was removed. I did explain to my bf that it would need to be slow and careful when it was time. Thanks for all of your advice on here.

Just to get the thread started again...8 weeks post op and finally back in the saddle
Yes it is taking some time to get back to 'normal' in that area but it is a lot better than when I had a prolapsed valve or constant leaking....I am still a bit paranoid exposing the stoma but I have noticed that the more relaxed and comfortable I feel about it, the better he feels about it...I have been letting him 'peek' at the scar now and then (still open 8 weeks later but getting better) so I am far from finished yet...usually if he can get me to laugh and giggle he can relax me enough for it to go well and I forget about all of the pain and bad stuff that went before...(then again some of you might not think that giggling is appropriate in that situation!)
Just relax and work on reclaiming you body.
Sharon

Hey,
It took me a little time to get back to before - it was a little painful at first - but it got better and now is better than ever so don't distress - just give it time.
-Mikaela

Mine is better than ever. I like to be sure I am clean and take a couple of lomital, and things are great. Good luck. You will feel so much better when it is all done.