Q: I am 33 years old and underwent a brain surgery for tuberculoma. My neurosurgeon said the operation is successful and I can resume my normal lifestyle. I am facing few problems after the surgery. First, 4 months have passed after the surgery, I do not get the urge to have sex. My wife and I tried but I do not get an erection. Please guide me about the same. I do feel like reading about sex or watching it on television but I do not get the urge to initiate sex or engage myself in sexual activity. Secondly, my neurosurgeon had a look at my CT Scan and said that fluid is appearing in the cavity from where the TB cyst was taken out. What do we do about the same. He said it will be absorbed on its own, else we have to put a shunt and divert it to some other part of the body. Please provide more information about the same. I am taking streptomycin (45 injection course - 40 taken so far) then tablets pyzina, rimactazid, bplex and mazetol since November. Does it have to do anything with my lack of interest in sex?

A:A tuberculoma is a swelling in the brain caused by the bodys attempt at locking the tuberculosis germs up and not allowing them to spread. At times, the bodys reaction results in a swelling that may compress the adjacent brain. You have not told us the part of the brain that was affected by the tuberculoma. If, as I expect, the tuberculoma did not involve the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, there is no reason why the disease or the operation to remove it should interfere with your sexual function. It is not unusual for someone who has undergone the stress of brain surgery to have a period of sexual inactivity. It is likely that as your recover fully from your illness and regain your strength, your sexual function will return to normal. To the best of my knowledge the drugs you take do not interfere with sexual function but I request you to double-check with an expert on drugs - a pharmacologist or senior physician. If the fluid you refer lies in the position occupied by the tuberculoma you may have nothing to fear. Nature abhors vacuum and hence replaces removed brain tissue with water-like cerebrospinal fluid.