Summary
Background
The reproductive system in females undergoes a regular cyclic change known as the
menstrual cycle. Laryngeal changes are evident and fluctuate systematically during
the reproductive years with the menstrual cycle. The impact of estrogens in concert
with progesterone produces the characteristics of the female voice, with a fundamental
frequency (F0) higher than that of male.
Objective
To characterize changes in voice and speech in adolescent females in different phases
of the menstrual cycle—during menstruation, after menstruation, mid-menstrual cycle,
and premenstruation.
Materials and Methods
Sixteen adult females who were nonusers of oral contraceptives participated in a cross-sectional
study of menstrual cycle influences on voicing and speaking tasks. Acoustic analysis
(F0, intensity, perturbation measurements [jitter and shimmer], and harmonic-to-noise
ratio), maximum phonation time (MPT), s/z ratio, and perceptual assessments (grade
[G], roughness [R], breathiness [B], asthenia [A], and strain [S] [GRBAS] and Voice
Handicap Index-10 [VHI-10]) scales were performed during all phases.
Results
None of the acoustic analysis parameters and MPT and s/z ratio measurements revealed
statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Perceptual voice assessment scales either clinician based or patients self-evaluated
showed significant differences among phases (P<0.05).
Conclusions
The objective voice analysis methods, such as acoustic analysis, MPT, and s/z ratio,
determined no difference; however, the subjective voice analysis methods, such as
clinician-based perceptual assessment (GRBAS) and patients self-evaluation (VHI-10)
scales, demonstrated significant changes during different phases of menstrual cycle.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 18, 2013
Accepted:
February 15,
2013
Footnotes
This study was presented as a poster at the “10th International Ear Nose Throat Head & Neck Surgery Congress”; April 26–28, 2012; Ankara, Turkey.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
