Hormonal Voice Disorders
Is your voice your livelihood?
Dr. Kinney specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of many complex voice changes that occur with hormonal fluctuations and hormone therapy. She works in close concert with ENT (ears, nose, throat) specialists who are dedicated to voice issues.
Hormones & the Voice
Premenstrual Voice Syndrome
Premenstrual Vocal Syndrome is characterized by vocal fatigue, decreased range, and loss of certain harmonics. The syndrome usually starts 4–5 days before menstruation and can cause tissue congestion in the vocal cords (the same way we feel congestion in our breast and pelvic tissues before the menstrual period).
Hormone changes during the month can also cause a decrease muscle tone so voice professionals lose control over sustained notes.
Treatments include vitamins, minerals, and medications that help decrease fluid build up and congestion but avoid tissue drying. Female hormones can be recommended as well.
Menopausal Voice Syndrome
Menopausal vocal syndrome is characterized by changes that include vocal fatigue, loss of the high tones and loss of vocal quality. With menopause a loss of estrogen occurs which allows any remaining male hormone (testosterone) to thicken the vocal cords, causing the voice to drop.
Without estrogen the vocal cords become dehydrated resulting in a husky voice, voice fatigue, and a deterioration of high notes and soft singing.
Treatments includes hormone therapy for some individuals.