The Affect Of Hormones On Your Singing Voice!
Do you find that sometimes your high notes are there, and other times they elude you? One day you feel on top of the world, picturing yourself grabbing that Grammy, and then, a week later, it feels like you can’t sing anymore.
Let me help you out (this one’s for the ladies) with how hormones can affect your singing and high notes.
Why Hormones Affect Singing
There have been only a few studies (fewer than 10) on the hormonal effects of menstruation on the female voice. While the research is limited and conclusions are still being drawn, my experience teaching women for 18 years—many of them for 3 to 5 years at a time—has given me valuable insights into how these hormonal changes affect their voices.
Here are some effects I’ve noted in research and observed in my students, along with tips to help you navigate these times:
The Few Days Before Your Period
What’s Happening: Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate significantly before menstruation begins. Studies show that the vocal folds can thicken or swell due to water retention, making high notes sluggish and challenging.
What You Might Notice: During this time, the voice can become unstable and may need extra warm-up time. High notes might break away more easily, and symptoms of dysphonia premenstrualis may appear. These include:
- Decreased vocal efficiency and flexibility
- Breathiness and vocal fatigue
- Loss of high notes, hoarseness, and intonation problems
- A muffled tone (like you can’t get the brightness you usually have)
How to Cope: Focus on warming up your body and voice thoroughly. Make sure you get good vocal fold closure, and if it doesn’t feel right, try using a lighter voice quality. Avoid belting if it feels tricky.
During Your Period
What’s Happening: Many singers experience pain in the lower stomach and back, which are areas crucial for stability. Tension can travel, and this discomfort may make your tone feel more pressed or “less full.”
What You Might Notice: Your voice may feel less stable, and belting moments could be more challenging. You might also need to do a bit more work than usual to maintain stability.
Warning: Avoid taking aspirin as a painkiller, as it can thin the blood and increase the risk of hemorrhaging in the vocal folds. Talk to your healthcare professional about an alternative.
How to Cope: Go easy on yourself and avoid overly demanding pieces. Consider singing something lighter and less physically demanding.
Entering Perimenopause and Menopause
What’s Happening: During perimenopause and menopause, some singers may notice big changes in their voices, although others may not experience any change at all.
What You Might Notice: Possible changes include:
- Dry throat, unpredictable voice quality, decreased range, volume, and stamina
- Temporary pitch-matching issues
- Holistic issues such as changes to sleep quality, physical comfort, mental health, and self-blame
How to Cope: Understand that these changes are common. Continued training can help you work through them and regain range and flexibility. Some singers find hormone replacement therapy (HRT) beneficial, but this should be discussed with your healthcare provider. I can refer you to colleagues who specialize in this area if needed.
Birth Control
What’s Happening: Birth control is often overlooked as a factor in voice changes, but hormonal birth control can significantly affect the voice.
What You Might Notice: In my students, I’ve noticed effects such as:
- Disappearance of high notes, a thinning of the voice, and increased instability in pitch and stability
- A duller vocal tone These effects tend to become noticeable after 1–2 months of starting hormonal birth control.
How to Cope: Your doctor may not fully understand the importance of your voice, so advocate for yourself if birth control isn’t working for you. Only you know what’s best for your voice. Share any changes with your singing teacher so they can help you adjust.
Embrace Your Voice Changes
We can read this and think, “Wow, it’s hard to be a woman.” But if you’re aware of what’s going on, you can adapt. Don’t push yourself to sing your hardest music when you’re not feeling great, and don’t reach for high notes if your voice feels thin. Instead, take control by making appropriate changes to your repertoire and expectations.
Join My Masterclass!
Voice lessons can help you navigate these changes, adjust your tone, and gain flexibility. If you want to learn how to gain stability in your high notes, join my free live masterclass on November 25th at 19:30 CET, where I’ll help you expand your range with less effort. See you there!
