Relating vocal perceptions to hormonal changes in women

Abstract

The discussion about vocal perceptions related to hormonal changes in women still is a recent subject in the speech language pathology área. Therefore, it is very important to do a survey of the specific literature concerning this subject and also to carry out field research. The goal of this project was to investigate the relationship between voice and hormonal alterations. First, we carried out a bibliographic research of specific literature about hormonal alterations during the menstrual cycle, and voice changes resulting fro these alterations. Then, we interviewed women with the aim of investigating their perceptions regarding the matter. Some gynecologists were also interviewed in order to complement the information concerning the matter. Forty women were randomly contacted and interviewed, and the gynecologists were also interviewed, independently of their clinical experience. In the women’s answers to the questionnaire, there was a predominance of negative accounts in relation to the perception of any vocal changes caused by hormonal alterations. We observed a non-association between vocal changes and hormonal alterations. Apart from few exceptions, the great majority of the women did not perceive any change in their voice in the pre-menstrual and menstrual periods. The same result was found with the majority of the doctors, who reported that their patients had never complained about such matters. The conclusion was that six doctors have theoretical, and sometimes practical knowledge regarding voice changes resulting from hormonal alterations of menstrual cycle, but are not interested in detailed investigations in this area in their clinical practice.