[Lotus]

Disclaimer: As always, when I post comments about previously published comments, notes & research by said guru, take my comment with a grain of salt and do a keyword search in the science threads.

Good Advice said person. 

Hi Caged, 
Finasteride (and others like it) is a neurosteroid, which means it crosses the blood brain barrier. Finasteride blocks the biosynthesis of various neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone (ALLO) and Tetrahidroteoxicorticosterone (THDOC)... which causes depression (and suicidal thoughts). 

I've never heard of any suicides stemming fron ED, I could be wrong though. 

When starting PM/E2 or other phytoestrogens, testosterone production goes through the roof as it tries to compensate for the loss of testosterone. In scientific terms it's called supraphysiological response. I've added information beow.

Here's some information about Finasteride. One important distinction about Finasteride is in the highlighted text, perhaps mediating GABA-A modulation which can lead to depression.

allopregnanolone (ALLO) and Tetrahidroteoxicorticosterone (THDOC)
(allosteric modulators) of GABA-A receptors,

The way finasteride causes post finasteride syndrome in certain individuals is unknown. Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but also causes changes in testosterone levels, LH and FSH. 1 Finasteride also blocks the biosynthesis of various neuro steroids such as allopregnanolone (ALLO) and Tetrahidroteoxicorticosterone (THDOC), which are isoforms of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. ALLO and THDOC are positive modulators (allosteric modulators) of GABA-A receptors, which have the same mechanism of action of anxiolytic drugs such as benzodiazepines. 2, 3 Finasteride has been shown to inhibit the biosynthesis of these neuro steroids, which can be one of the causes for the emotional and sexual symptoms reported. 4 However, some symptoms, such as muscle wasting, loss of body hair and the continuation of symptoms long after the medication has been discontinued, have not been explained yet. Because some patients with SPF have normal or high levels of testosterone - but at the same time a complete clinical state of hypogonadism - it has been hypothesized that these individuals have developed a form of resistance to androgen hormones. 5

__

(More on GABA AND THE GABA-A RECEPTOR later) in the meantime I'll link this website which is using alternative methods (great site btw).
Anxiety attack symptoms
http://www.progesteronetherapy.com/anxiety-attack-symptoms.html#axzz3bpcZFE2P
________________________________________

Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sex
http://www.psychiatrist.com/JCP/article/Pages/2012/v73n09/v73n0911.aspx

New research, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, finds that men who developed persistent sexual side effects while on finasteride (Propecia), a drug commonly used for male pattern hair loss, have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.

Conclusions: Clinicians and potential users of finasteride should be aware of the potential risk of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts. The preliminary findings of this study warrant further research with controlled studies.


Studies

"Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects. " 
Michael S. Irwig, MD. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2012 DOI: 10.4088/JCP.12m07887
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120807101330.htm

"A new look at the 5alpha reductase inhibitor Finasteride" (2006):
CNS Drug Rev. 2006 Spring;12(1):53-76.
http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=202


"5alpha-reductase inhibitors and erectile dysfunction: Connection" (2008 study):
Erdemir F, Harbin A, Hellstrom WJ.
http :/ / www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=19090946


Finasteride induced depression:
In the study, a controlled group of 128 men, with a daily dose of 1mg per day, had clear and significant increase in depression, verified by BDI and HADS in patients taking finasteride.

Rahimi-Ardabili B, R Pourandarjani, Habibollahi P Mualeki A (2006).
"Finasteride induced depression: a prospective study"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17026771

Finasteride robustly increases anxiety and depression in animals:
Römer B , Gass P (December 2010). "Finasteride-induced depression: new insights into possible pathomechanisms." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21122055

Depression associated to the use of Finasteride
In this study, using 1mg dosage, Finasteride induced moderate to severe depression in 19 of the 23 participants, or 83%, including notably, all female subjects. University of Milan: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12433001?dopt=Abstract

"Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido and Erectile Dysfunction and Depression in a Subset of Patients"
Published on December  2010 on The Journal of Sexual Medicine
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02157.x/abstract
Authors:
Abdulmaged M. Traish PhD
Dr. Andre T. Guay MD
Dr. D Michael Zitzmann, PhD
Dr. John Hassani MA.
Michael L. Hansen MD


"Finasteride and Neuroactive Steroids."
The study concluded that there was a drastic reduction of neuro active steroids after a period of four months, with controlled groups that used doses of Finasteride 1mg and 5 mg. Observe the decrease in allopregnanolone (-303.1%).


"Finasteride and Neuroactive Steroids."
Published in Prague Medical Report m 2009 (Vol. 110)

Study indicates finasteride inhibits the conversion of hormones into neurosteroids in the brain. These neurosteroids have antidepressant, antianxiety and anticonvulsive effects.

Among them Allopregnanolone and Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone.
"A new vision on Finasteride"
Department of veterans, Portland, USA.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / pubmed/16834758? Dopt = Abstract

Male infertility associated with the use of finasteride.
Study of the human reproduction unit,  Albert Einstein Hospital, Sao Paulo -
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0041-87812004000400009&tlng=es&lng=en&nrm=iso

Links of various studies relating finasteride use to infertility, sperm motility problems and fail in spermatogenesis:
http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=245

Study with photographic evidence that the shrinkage of the prostate induced by finasteride is caused through cell death (apoptosis).
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada:
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/81/2/814.abstract

Study proves that finasteride alters levels of testosterone, DHT, hormone luteinizing, follicle stimulating hormone.
Uroclínica from the Health Ministry, Ankara, Turkey:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9589555?dopt=Abstract


Finasteride alters cholesterol levels after 6 months of treatment.
University of Parma,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10996351&dopt=Citation

Chemical castration effect related to the use of finasteride.
Chart of the American Environmental Agency EPA
http://www.epa.gov/comptox/bosc_review/2006/files/posters/17_Barton.pdf

Links to various studies about finasteride, both 1mg and 5mg:
http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=511e2201fa63bd8c5ee8ad81f4ca7e4b

http://finasteridesyndrome.blogspot.com/p/studies.html

Why we experience testicular pain is simple, and it's called “ negative feedback”. The testes (and penis) have estrogen receptors, so, when testosterone is being instructed to produce less testosterone in genital tissue (testes & penis) via the hypothalamus axis/LH (Luteinizing Hormone) we experience the “negative feedback loop” from using phytoestrogens or estradiol… and using anti-androgens. Women experience negative feedback throughout their menstrual cycle, PCOS comes to mind. Even in hyperandrogenism we experience negative feedback… amongst other examples too. 

Endocrinology of the Male Reproductive System and Spermatogenesis

CLINICAL SUMMARY

The testes synthesize two essential products: testosterone, needed for the development and maintenance of many physiological functions including normal testis function; and sperm, needed for male fertility. The synthesis of both products is regulated by endocrine hormones produced in the hypothalamus and pituitary, as well as locally within the testis.

What it means is that testosterone production of testosterone is turned down, that's when the hypothalamus recognizes the loss of testosterone production and produces more testosterone (which is termed supraphysiological reaction of said negative feedback). The feeling might last for 3-4 weeks once hemostasis is established (a return of receptor set points). You'll experience a reduction of penis/scrotum size because the testosterone/estrogen ratio is altered. 

The secretion of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary. LH is transported in the bloodstream to the testes, where it stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone: this can act as an androgen (via interaction with androgen receptors) but can also be aromatized to produce estrogens. The testes, in turn, feedback on the hypothalamus and the pituitary via testosterone and inhibin secretion, in a negative feedback loop to limit GnRH and gonadotropin production. Both androgens and FSH act on receptors within the supporting somatic cells, the Sertoli cells, to stimulate various functions needed for optimal sperm production. Spermatogenesis is the process by which immature male germ cells divide, undergo meiosis and differentiate into highly specialized haploid spermatozoa. Optimal spermatogenesis requires the action of both testosterone (via androgen receptors) and FSH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279031/