My IBD Life on my terms

Life with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be unpredictable.

The American Gastroenterological Association created My IBD Life to share tips and ideas to help you and others living with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease manage the emotional and social aspects of these chronic conditions and live life on your terms.

IBD life on Joshua’s terms

Building emotional resilience

Joshua doesn’t let his ulcerative colitis stop him from living life to the fullest. He enjoys traveling and believes relationships with family and friends are essential to a healthy life.

Take a step in Joshua’s shoes to learn how he adjusted his life to manage his IBD while refusing to let it control his happiness.

My IBD life on my terms

Life with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be unpredictable.

IBD life on Joshua’s terms

Building emotional resilience

Joshua doesn’t let his ulcerative colitis stop him from living life to the fullest. He enjoys traveling and believes relationships with family and friends are essential to a healthy life.

Take a step in Joshua’s shoes to learn how he adjusted his life to manage his IBD while refusing to let it control his happiness.

Working with your IBD, not around it

The following planners include tips to help you feel confident navigating a range of common scenarios, from talking to your provider about starting new medications to putting together the itinerary for your next big trip.

Medical procedures and surgeries

New medications

Intimacy and relationships

Navigating the workplace

Vacations and travel

Working with your IBD, not around it

Medical procedures and surgeries

New medications

Intimacy and relationships

Navigating the workplace

Vacations and travel

Making the most of time with your provider

Helping loved ones understand your IBD life

Visits with your health care provider can go by fast. Get the most out of each appointment with tips to feel confident asking questions and getting the answers you need to manage your condition.

Explore talking points and ideas for helping friends and family understand how IBD affects your life. The more they know about your challenges, the more they will be able to help.

Making the most of time with your provider

Visits with your health care provider can go by fast. Get the most out of each appointment with tips to feel confident asking questions and getting the answers you need to manage your condition.

Helping loved ones understand your IBD life

Explore talking points and ideas for helping friends and family understand how IBD affects your life. The more they know about your challenges, the more they will be able to help.

Planning for pregnancy

If you’re thinking about starting a family, it’s important to discuss your goals early with your providers. Remember, with proper planning and care, women with IBD can, and do, have healthy pregnancies. The My IBD Life Parenthood Project was developed to provide you with tools and resources to help you along your journey to parenthood – every step of the way!

Thinking about
becoming pregnant

Currently
expecting

Navigating
parenthood

Thinking about becoming pregnant

Currently expecting

Navigating parenthood

See how IBD affects your body

See how IBD impacts the body—and learn more about your condition—with these models of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and a j-pouch.

See how IBD affects your body

See how IBD impacts the body—and learn more about your condition—with these models of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and a j-pouch.

More resources for living your best IBD life

Explore our resources page to find more information for living your best life with IBD, including ways to connect with support groups, tips for family planning and more.