Functional Voice Testing Detects Early Changes in Vocal Pitch in Women During Testosterone Administration

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Otolaryngology
• Women's Health

Background:

• Low testosterone levels in women can impact various physiological functions.
• Voice changes are a potential, yet understudied, consequence of testosterone deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dose-dependent effects of testosterone (T) administration on voice parameters in women with documented low T levels.
• To correlate changes in acoustic voice measures with serum T concentrations.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-one women with low T levels received a standardized estradiol regimen and were randomized to placebo or varying doses of transdermal testosterone enanthate (3-25 mg weekly) for 24 weeks.
• Voice analysis included acoustic testing (frequency, volume, harmonics) and self-reported voice handicap index.
• Serum total and free T levels were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and equilibrium dialysis.

Main Results:

• Higher doses of testosterone (12.5 and 25 mg) led to a significant decrease in average vocal pitch compared to placebo.
• These pitch changes correlated significantly with increased serum T concentrations.
• No significant dose-dependent changes were observed in the self-reported voice handicap index.

Conclusions:

• Testosterone administration in women with low T levels can induce dose- and concentration-dependent reductions in vocal pitch.
• Objective acoustic voice changes may occur without corresponding subjective alterations in voice handicap.