Great developments have been made in recent years regarding sophistication of stoma care appliance and products, but patients with a stoma will still occasionally experience problems. These problems can cause the patients severe embarrassment and distress. The aim of this study was to gain increased knowledge and understanding of what living with an ostomy means as a woman and how it affects the life situation Seventeen women were interviewed about their life situation and how the stoma affected their lives. These interviews were verbatim transcribed and analysed using an interpretive phenomenological approach. The findings are illustrated by three themes: 'Bodily restraints', describing how the women experience the stoma and their body, causing limitations in different activities. 'I as a woman', present how the women experience themselves as females and different roles combined with that. 'Adaptation to daily life', shows how the women have different strategies for managing daily life. The essence was identified and interpreted as reconciliation to a changed life. Psychosocial experiences and effects of living with an ostomy, as well as strategies to handle this impact were identified. This knowledge need to be transformed into practice; when supporting ostomates in their reconciliation to a changed life.