TLDR Cocaine impairs male sexual behavior and alters testosterone metabolism in the brain.
The study, conducted on 45 male rats, examined the impact of non-contingent acute cocaine administration on male sexual behavior and androgen levels. Cocaine was found to significantly affect consummatory sexual behaviors, such as increasing the latency to mount and intromit, and reducing the number of sexual contacts, without affecting sexual interest. It also disrupted the correlation between 3alpha-androstanediol (3α-diol) levels in the frontal cortex and hypothalamus/striatum and sexual behavior. Furthermore, cocaine administration altered testosterone metabolism, with low doses favoring metabolism towards 3α-diol in the midbrain, while moderate and high doses shifted metabolism towards estradiol. The findings suggest that cocaine impairs sexual behavior by disrupting 3α-diol levels or altering the conversion of testosterone to its metabolites in the brain, which could affect the salience of natural rewards and contribute to changes in motivation and disinhibition associated with cocaine addiction.
33 citations,
December 2015 in “Neuroendocrinology” Finasteride treatment changes brain steroid levels and receptors, affecting brain function even after stopping treatment.
15 citations,
September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology” 
223 citations,
December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.
37 citations,
February 2010 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Androgen self-administration might be controlled by membrane receptors, not nuclear ones.
18 citations,
March 2020 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” The enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase help create brain-active substances from progesterone and testosterone, which could be used for treatment, but more research is needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
December 2020 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” Finasteride can have lasting negative effects on brain function and behavior by disrupting neurosteroid production.
72 citations,
January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
24 citations,
December 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” Finasteride can cause sexual problems and depression in young men.
April 2021 in “IntechOpen eBooks” Androgens, male hormones, affect physical and mental functions, with a decrease leading to health issues like muscle loss, bone disease, and depression, and more research is needed on long-term effects and treatments.
