The lesser-known symptom of a brain tumour you might notice when having sex
BRAIN tumours can cause a host of different symptoms, depending on where the tumour is growing.
Most commonly, you might experience headaches, sickness, or seizures if you have one.
Each year around 12,300 cases of brain cancer are diagnosed in the UK, Cancer Research UK states, and these present in the form of a brain tumour.
The symptoms can often be mistaken for something less serious, like headaches.
But experts say there are some odd signs that you must be aware of, including one you may spot when having sex.
Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of the serious condition, the Cancer Council says.
This symptom can emerge when a tumour is growing in the pituitary gland – the part of the brain responsible for producing hormones.
By pressing on the gland, these tumours can result in lower levels of sex hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
This can lead to irregular menstrual periods in women or erection issues and decreased interest in sex in men.
Other symptoms of pituitary tumours include, headaches, loss of vision and nausea.
Around one in three people who have a brain tumour will experience some type of personality change, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
This is because the tumour can affect the levels of hormones the gland produces.
These personality changes could lead people to losing interest in things they once enjoyed doing.
About 17 out of every 100 brain tumours (about 17 per cent) diagnosed are pituitary tumours, according to Cancer Research UK.
Most pituitary tumours are not cancerous (benign), and don’t spread to other parts of your body.
For a benign tumours, surgery may be the only treatment needed.
Medicines, such as steroids or anticonvulsants, may be given to reduce symptoms.
It’s important that if you are worried about any of your symptoms, then you see your GP.
In the event of an emergency, always call 999.
How to get tested
Your doctor examines you and checks your symptoms.
You also have tests to diagnose a pituitary tumour. This helps your doctor plan the treatment. The tests you might have include:
- blood tests
- MRI scan or CT scan
Source: NHS