Ulcerative Colitis and Body Image
Digestive HealthUlcerative Colitis

How Does Ulcerative Colitis Affect Body Image?

How Does Ulcerative Colitis Affect Body Image?
iStock; Everyday Health
By
Published on June 22, 2026
by
Add us on Google
Ulcerative colitis (UC) doesn’t just impact your body from the inside. Factors related to the inflammation in your body can also affect the way you look on the outside and how you feel about your body, which can take a toll on your mental health.

The problem’s a common one: Nearly 70 percent of people with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like UC say their condition has negatively impacted their body image.

 “I hear people with UC say that their bodies are letting them down,” says Taryn Lores, PhD, a health and clinical psychologist at the Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Center at Mount Sinai in New York City.

While it can take some work, it’s possible to manage negative feelings and even see your body in a more positive light. Here, experts share the body image concerns that affect many people with UC and the tools that can help you feel more confident.

How Ulcerative Colitis Can Change Your Body

UC largely affects your colon and rectum, though up to half of people with IBD also experience symptoms outside the gut (extraintestinal manifestations) in locations like the skin, eyes, and musculoskeletal system. Both the condition as well as certain treatments can cause physical changes throughout your body, says Arushi Kohli, MD, a gastroenterologist and the director of the intestinal ultrasound program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

 How you’re affected may depend on the severity of your illness and how you and your care team are managing it. Many people with UC have physical changes that include:

  • Bloating and gas
  • Frequent diarrhea, urgency, or accidents
  • Rectal bleeding or inflammation
  • Weight loss from malnutrition or restrictive diets
  • Surgical changes, like needing a stoma or a permanent or temporary ostomy
  • Steroid-related side effects, like weight gain, acne, or so-called “moon face”
  • Symptoms outside the gut like skin rashes, ulcers, and stiff joints that limit your activity

Some of these issues may be short-lived, especially if you’re flaring or are having trouble controlling your UC. Others, like needing an ostomy, may be permanent changes that can take time to adjust to, says Megan Riehl, PsyD, a gastrointestinal psychologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

How Physical Changes Can Affect Your Mental Health

Having a body that doesn’t look or act how you expect can bring up a lot of different emotions, which can have a significant impact on your well-being and your quality of life.

 “It can be a real range, from frustration to sadness to anger to anxiety,” says Dr. Riehl. All of these emotions are valid and reasonable, she says.
You might also feel less confident, which can make you feel uncomfortable meeting new people or spending time with friends. That may also affect how you approach dating and sex. In fact, around 40 percent of people with IBDs like UC say their illness has stopped them from seeking out intimate relationships.

“It can end up having a real impact on your self-worth. It can drive depression and social isolation,” says Dr. Lores.

While anyone with UC can struggle with these feelings, they can feel especially intense if you’ve had an ostomy. “The thing that comes across for me is patients feeling self-conscious. They don’t want to wear a swimsuit, they’re worried about accidents with their ostomy bag, and their sex life totally goes down the drain,” Dr. Kohli says.

How to Improve Your Body Image

Your UC symptoms won’t always be within your control. But no matter where you might be in your treatment journey, you can form a more accepting relationship with your body. Experts recommend the following tactics.

Try to Be as Specific as You Can

Take an honest inventory of the factors that are contributing to your negative body image. “Is it that your body has changed due to a recent surgery or medication? Are you struggling with food restriction?” Riehl says. When you can pinpoint particular problems, you can talk with your care team about brainstorming targeted solutions.

Celebrate Your Strengths

There are many great things about you that aren’t related to your appearance. Acknowledge them by writing them down and revisit your list when you need a boost, Lores says.

Move Your Body

Not only is exercise a proven mood lifter, it can give your self-esteem a boost.

 It’s like “panning out and seeing what your body can do for you,” Lores says.

Pick something that’s fun and feels doable with any symptoms you might be dealing with. Even a walk after dinner or some gentle yoga in your living room can make a difference.

Talk With People Who Get It

Kohli often introduces her patients with new ostomies to people who have been living with their ostomy longer. These mentors help “them see that you can still do all of the things you want to do,” she says.

Ask your doctor if they have more experienced patients who might be willing to chat with you or about local support groups where you can meet others who are living with UC.

There are also in-person and virtual support options via these groups:

Be Open in Intimate Situations

While it might feel hard at first, sharing your needs with your partner can help you feel better and deepen your emotional connection. “Just saying, ‘I’m feeling X about my body right now, and I would feel most comfortable doing Y,’” can be effective, Riehl says.

Get Support From a Therapist

Wading through body image issues isn’t easy. If you’re having trouble coping on your own, ask your doctor to recommend a health psychologist who works with people with UC or IBD.

Treat Yourself the Way You’d Treat a Friend

You wouldn’t say negative things about a loved one’s appearance, so don’t say them to yourself, Lores says. Be compassionate with yourself the same way you would a good friend. Recognizing when you’re having a hard time and treating yourself kindly (aka self-compassion) in such situations can even reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Sex, Intimacy, and IBD. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. May 2021.
  2. Madden K et al. Extraintestinal Manifestations of IBD. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. April 27, 2023.
  3. Beese SE et al. Body Image Dissatisfaction in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review. BMJ Open Gastroenterology. February 16, 2019.
  4. Madigan S et al. P761 Negative Body Image in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Persists Despite Modern IBD Care. Journal of Crohn’s & Colitis. January 30, 2023.
  5. Q&A: Maintaining Positive Body Image. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
  6. Dubinsky MC et al. Impact of Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease on Sexual Activity: United States and European Patient Perspectives From the Communicating Needs and Features of IBD Experiences (CONFIDE) Survey. Current Medical Research and Opinion. July 17, 2025.
  7. Mahindru A et al. Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well-Being: A Review. Cureus. January 7, 2023.
  8. Help Emotional Intimacy Thrive in Your Relationship With These 12 Simple Steps. Utah State University. February 12, 2025.
  9. The Power of Self-Compassion. Harvard Health Publishing. March 16, 2026.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care ...

See full bio
Marygrace Taylor

Marygrace Taylor

Author

Marygrace Taylor is an award-winning freelance health and wellness writer with more than 15 years of experience covering topics including women’s health, nutrition, chronic conditi...

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network