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 pitchesblocks 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.