Support. Education. Resources. Advocacy.
United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports, empowers, and advocates for people who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. Our mission is to promote quality of life for people with ostomies and continent diversions through information, support, advocacy, and collaboration.
Support
Find local peer support at one of our 275+ support groups in the U.S., get answers to non-emergency medical questions through the Virtual Ostomy Clinic or connect with peers through our Facebook community and online discussion board.
Education
Medically reviewed surgery-specific information. Ostomy pouch management tips, diet & nutrition, skincare, sexuality, travel tips and more!
Resources
Whether you’re new to the ostomy community or a seasoned person with an ostomy, we offer online tools and guides to help you throughout your journey.
Advocacy
Join our national advocacy network and take action on issues that affect the quality of life of all people living with an ostomy or continent diversion in the United States.
NEW! Your Own Virtual Certified Ostomy Nurse
Whether it’s a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, a new ostomate learning to care for their stoma or an existing ostomate grappling with new complications, the journey can be overwhelming. UOAA’s Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company offers support through telehealth visits and ongoing touchpoints via texting and emailing to make sure ostomates have the right supplies for their unique situation and thoroughly understand how to care for their ostomy.
Assess a person’s ostomy in one comprehensive telehealth assessment by Zoom in the beginning of the 30-day period
Assist ostomates and their caregivers in choosing supplies and recommend pouching options that fit the person’s lifestyle and health goals
Help ostomates and their caregivers prevent and manage skin irritation, rashes, and other complications around the ostomate’s stoma.
Answer ostomy questions from ostomates over email or SMS for the 30-day program.
Provide personalized education, care, and support throughout the program, including tips on diet, nutrition, hydration and intimacy.
Follow up with one additional comprehensive telehealth assessment during the program when necessary.
Provide a summary of the assessment and recommendations for ongoing care after each telehealth assessment.
Find Your Ostomy Answer
The official publication of the UOAA, The Phoenix Ostomy Magazine, answers the many questions and challenges of living with an ostomy or being a caregiver.
Topics Include:
- Skin Care
- Odor Control
- Diet & Exercise
- Intimacy
- New Products & Accessories
- Psychosocial Issues
- and much more!
Exclusive, in-depth articles written by medical professionals and experts in stoma care offer advice and solutions while personal stories inspire us all. Each subscription includes a FREE New Ostomy Patient Guide and FREE ostomy product samples.
New to UOAA
Inflammatory Bowel
Disease & Ostomy
Ostomy Resources for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Patients.
Defining, Caring, and Treating
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract with increasing global incidence and prevalence.
Preparing for Ostomy Surgery
As much as we often like to prepare ourselves for surgery, sometimes ostomy surgery is done emergently in extreme situations. Nevertheless, whether it is before or after surgery, we can still do our best to acquaint ourselves with the ins and outs of our ostomy.
Common Issues, Managing Diet,
Mental Health
Managing an ostomy after Crohn’s disease-related surgery may take some time, but don’t get discouraged. Request an ostomy nurse to help you address issues, such as drains in surgical sites and other skin issues. Initially, it may be difficult to get a good pouching system seal on the stoma site, though many of these issues can be remedied with the help of an ostomy nurse.
Intimacy, Fertility and Pregnancy
Intimacy may take some time to rekindle after significant IBD flares and ostomy or IPAA/J-Pouch surgery. When IBD patients are very sick, libido may wane but often returns once the patient is feeling well again. While there are no set guidelines as for when to resume intercourse, many colorectal surgeons advise their patients to wait anywhere from 4-8 weeks after surgery depending on how they are feeling.
IBD & Ostomy Resources
At United Ostomy Associations of America, we have developed comprehensive resources for ostomates that may also be applicable for patients living with Crohn’s disease.
UOAA’s Upcoming Events
Strength · Empowerment · Resilience
Patient stories, ostomy news, and tips and tricks to navigate your ostomy journey.
Celebrate World Ostomy Day with UOAA!
September 19, 2025/by ContributorWorld Ostomy Day Champion Keely Cat-Wells is a Leader in Breaking Down Barriers
September 15, 2025/by ContributorFinding Your Way: The Journey Forward with an Ostomy
September 12, 2025/by ContributorDENISE: LIVING WITH SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME
September 5, 2025/by ContributorResilience Story: Matt Marra
August 7, 2025/by ContributorNavigating Body Image After Ostomy Surgery
July 30, 2025/by ContributorUOAA is Here for Bladder Cancer Survivors
July 13, 2025/by ContributorOstomy Anxiety: Horror in the Grocery Store?
July 8, 2025/by ContributorResilience Story: Barbara Tischler
July 1, 2025/by ContributorConnect with Us
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