0763 – How Your Voice Is Affected By Oestrogen, Progesterone and Androgens

2023.02.02 – 0763 – How Your Voice Is Affected By Oestrogen, Progesterone and Androgens

Menopause can also affect the voice.[1] Vocally speaking, oestrogen:

·        affects how supple the vocal folds’ upper surface (the mucosal layer) is

·        supports the folds’ mucus-making glands

·        affects the deepest layer of the vocal folds, which produce lower and higher pitches

• blocks the effects of androgens, and so prevents the lowering of the voice

Progesterone balances the effects of oestrogen as well as:

·        causing decreased and thickened secretions of the outer layer of the vocal folds, resulting in drier vocal folds

Androgens, including testosterone, which are naturally secreted in women’s bodies, can:

·        cause the vocal folds to thicken, which lowers your pitch

·        increase dryness of the vocal folds due to changes in the glands that secrete fluids near the vocal folds​.

During menopause hormones may fluctuate day to day, making the voice sound unpredictable, unreliable and unstable:

·        vocal cord swelling, resulting in less range and a general lower voice

·        a drier mouth which may lead to more throat clearing

·        reflux

·        a ‘lump in the throat’ sensation

·        excess or thicker mucus

·        vocal fatigue from vocal cord muscle weakness impacting agility, power and projection in your voice

·        pain in the throat or neck

Don’t force your voice but try more warming up techniques (see later) to make your voice feel easier.

[1] Lots more information in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5KhEgedozo

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