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From:  "John Messmer, M.D." <jjm23@p...>
"John Messmer, M.D." <jjm23@p...>
Date:  Sat Mar 24, 2001  10:33 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist] Hormones and the Voice



> The discussion of thr castratti brings up an important concept of
> hormones and the voice. Obviously there is a direct connection here. Any
> woman who is premenstrual can tell you of this connection. Most seem to
lose
> a note or two off of the top of their voices during this time. They become
> edemic due to the hormones. What about testosterone treatments ? What
> effect does taking testosterone have on a womans voice ? For that matter,
> what effect does it have on a mans voice ? What about a man taking female
> hormones ? Forget before puberty. We know the effect of medical or real
> castration. What is the effect of a mature singer taking either hormone ?

I have not been following the castrati discussion closely so pardon me if I
repeat something already covered.

The greatest effect of hormones on the voice is in development during
childhood and early adulthood. Everyone is genetically determined to have a
type of voice - soprano vs alto and tenor vs bass (ignoring the effect of
training here). The presence or absence of hormones allows this
development.

After development is complete, hormones can affect the range. In abnormally
high doses the range can be more significantly affected. Women can feel the
effect of progesterone's androgenic effects and the low level of estrogen
prior to a menstrual period and after menopause can see a loss of top range.
Hormone replacement can help the latter problem. Birth control pill effects
vary by type of hormone an a woman's individual physiology.

I am not aware of tenors becoming basses with hormones, but I have found
suggestions that upper ranges are affected by androgen excess.

It is difficult to give an all inclusive answer as effects vary.

John

John J. Messmer, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine


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