Effect of Hormonal Replacement Therapy on Voice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hormonal therapy (HRT) on voice in a group of menopausal women, taking into consideration body mass index (BMI) as a confounding factor and its potential role as a substitute for HRT.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 53 menopausal women, 34 not on HRT and 19 on HRT, were recruited. Demographic variables included age, gender, smoking, and BMI. All subjects were asked about the presence or absence of the following symptoms: hoarseness, deepening of the voice, pitch breaks, throat clearing, dryness in the throat, and vocal fatigue. Acoustic analysis was performed, and Voice Handicap Index-10 was also completed.

RESULTS: The mean BMI was 25.90 ± 5.39 and 25.77 ± 4.26 in patients on HRT and not on HRT, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the Voice Handicap Index-10 score and the prevalence of any of the phonatory symptoms in menopausal women not on HRT compared with menopausal women on HRT. However, menopausal women not on HRT had significantly lower habitual pitch than those on HRT (P value of 0.022). On the other hand, the jitter was significantly higher in those on HRT (P value of 0.033).

CONCLUSION: Hormonal therapy has an impact on the habitual pith in menopausal women with comparable BMI. Those on HRT have a higher habitual pitch than those not on HRT.