IBD, intimacy and self-worth: Trina’s mission to rebuild confidence

🎙️ In episode 24 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Trina, whose years of severe gastrointestinal symptoms eventually led to a life-threatening bowel perforation, emergency surgery, and the removal of 75% of her large intestine. After initially struggling to accept an ileostomy, she spent the next decade trying to avoid another one before ultimately choosing a permanent ostomy and reclaiming her life. 💜 Trina opens up about body image, scars, touch starvation, sex and the fear of feeling undesirable after IBD surgery. Now an intimacy coach, she shares practical strategies for rebuilding confidence and connection, from visualization and positive self-talk to non-sexual touch, communication, and navigating intimacy with an ostomy. You can find Trina at https://www.intimateostomate.com and follow her journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intimateostomate/ For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered,com