From: john schweinfurth
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Effects of hormones on the Voice
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

On Sun, 2 Jan 2000 17:18:29 EST, VOCALIST wrote:

> In a message dated 1/2/00 9:09:50 AM Eastern Standard Time,
CJurs1011-at-cs.com
> writes:
>
> << I am a high dramatic coloratura , and I want to keep my high notes.
Does
> taken hormones effect the voice either positively or negatively, and if
so
> how? >>

To address both topics...

First of all, creatine monophosphate is a intermediary metabolite of
skeletal muscle metabolism and is used as an efficient (but EXTREMELY $$$)
source of energy. Because it is a large osmotically active molecule, it may
have some fluid retaining potential when taken in large quantities, but
otherwise should not affect the voice at all.
I don't believe (not sure about this on a Sunday night) that CMP is used by
the laryngeal musculature at all.

The effect of hormones, estrogen and progesterone, on the voice has been
hotly debated. In the past, much larger doses of each hormone were used in
both birth control and post-menopausal therapy. The main area of debate was
on the effect regarding vocal cord blood vessels, or varices, and whether
they would cause a growth or regression. With modern dose regimens (knock
on wood) there should be no measurable effect on the voice, but, as with any
subtle change, sensitive people do notice things, although in my experience,
they don't necessarily correlate with a known physiologic consequences of
the medication.

John M. Schweinfurth, MD
Laryngology and Professional Voice Care
Assistant Professor
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
(615) 322-6180





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