THE IMPACT OF HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS ON VOICE ACROSS DIFFERENT GENDERS AND AGE GROUPS
Sanat Mahendra Dhoke, Mishthi Prajapati
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Parul Institute of Pharmacy & Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Abstract
This literature review examines the effects of endocrine regulation on voice physiology, with a focus on the effects of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones. Testosterone is responsible for the deepening of the male voice during puberty, while estrogen and progesterone influence the hydration and elasticity of the vocal folds in females, resulting in cyclic variations throughout the menstrual cycle. Abstract Hormonal fluctuations play a crucial role in shaping vocal characteristics across different genders and age groups. Hormonal decline occurs with aging; in men, a decrease in testosterone causes vocal weakness, while in postmenopausal women, a decrease in estrogen causes vocal fold atrophy and dryness. Voice modulation is greatly impacted by endocrine conditions such thyroid dysfunction, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). While hypothyroidism causes hoarseness and vocal fatigue, excessive androgens in PCOS induce irreversible masculinization of the voice. The results of hormone therapy differ; for transgender men, testosterone effectively lowers pitch, but for transgender women, estrogen has no effect on feminization. Promising paths for researching hormone-speech interactions are provided by emerging technologies including high-resolution laryngeal imaging and AI-driven voice analysis. Research gaps still exist, nevertheless, especially in the areas of diverse population sampling and longitudinal investigations. Future research should concentrate on individualized voice management techniques, multidisciplinary cooperation between voice specialists and endocrinologists, and the best possible hormonal treatment for vocal health. The need for hormone-aware vocal care is emphasized in this review, especially for people undergoing medical or gender-affirming hormone therapy and those working in vocally demanding occupations. Research in this area will advance methods for diagnosing and treating hormone-related voice alterations.
Keywords: Hormones; Voice; Vocal Changes; Menstrual Cycle Effects; Hormonal fluctuations
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EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD)
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Published on : 2025-03-21
Vol | : | 10 |
Issue | : | 3 |
Month | : | March |
Year | : | 2025 |