Sex life and closeness in young adults after a brain tumor
Original title: Sexual function and activity in young adults with a primary brain tumor-A population-based longitudinal study.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was tested in people. That is the most reliable kind of research we share.
This study asked people about their lives, but it did not test a treatment.
The short version
Most young adults in this study had an active sex life after a brain tumor, and most were happy with it.
What was studied. Researchers in Sweden sent surveys to adults who got a brain tumor between ages 18 and 39. The surveys asked about sex and closeness at 1.5, 3, and 5 years after diagnosis.
What they found. In total, 123 people answered, and 72 of them finished all the surveys. More than 80% were sexually active, and most were happy with their sex life. Some had low interest in sex. Feeling sad or down, and feeling bad about their body, were linked to more sex problems. Details about the tumor itself were not linked to sex problems.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: If your interest in sex has changed, you are not alone. Low mood and how you feel about your body may play a part. It is okay to bring this up with your care team at follow-up visits.
What it doesn't mean: This study only asked people about their lives. It did not test any treatment. It was done in one country with a small group, so it may not fit everyone. It does not offer a fix for sex problems, and it is not a cure for anything.
Source: PubMed, May 22, 2026 · Read the original
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