The effects of a combined oral contraceptive pill with anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid properties on the pattern of vibration of the vocal folds of professional female voice

Filipa Lã¹, Jane W. Davidson², William Ledger³, David Howard⁴, Georgina Jones⁵

Previous studies suggested that the use of a low dose combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) with anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic properties might avoid premenstrual vocal symptoms, which impair classically trained singers’ performances. The reduction of sexual hormone variations, water retention, and free testosterone levels when using this COCP, seemed to stabilise vocal production and thus contribute to the optimisation of the singer’s performance. On these grounds, a cohort study was developed to test whether similar results could be obtained when this specific COCP was used by other professional female voice users (i.e. jazz and music theatre singers, choristers, radio presenters, and school teachers).
A total of 20 participants (mean age = 26.60; SD = 6.319; range = 19-40 years) were studied, during two conditions: No COCP/COCP. Data collection involved audio-electrolaryngographic recordings of the voice, and a blood sample, collected during three phases of the cycle (i.e. menstruation, follicular and luteal phases), during one natural menstrual cycle and one cycle using the COCP. The results suggest that this COCP significantly reduces free testosterone concentrations and free androgen index, emphasising its anti-androgenic properties. However, no significant differences were found in the pattern of vibration of the vocal folds. It is possible that this specific COCP might not prejudice nor benefit the voice of other female voice users who are not classical singers. Further research should be developed to disclose the effects of other COCP preparations available on vocal performance of professional voice users, in order to choose the most suitable for this specific female population.

1. Dr. Filipa Lã
Departamento de Comunicação e Arte
Universidade de Aveiro
Address:Campus Universitário de Santiago
3810-193 Aveiro Portugal
Email address: filipala@ca.ua.pt
Phone number:(00351) 93 8545168

2. Professor Jane W. Davidson
Professor of Music Psychology Ph.D. Music M.A. Music Performance Studies B.A. Creative Arts
Address: Music Department University of Sheffield
38 Taptonville Road
Sheffield S10 5BR U.K.
Telephone:(0044) (0)114 22 20475 Fax:(0044) (0)114 2668053
Email address:j.w.davidson@sheffield.ac.uk

3. Professor William Ledger
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology & Head of Unit M.A., D.Phil. Faculty of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford
BM, BCh University of Oxford
Address: Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine Room 5, Level 4
Jessop Wing Tree Root Walk
Sheffield S10 2SF U.K.
Telephone:(0044) (0)114 226 8317 Fax: (0044) (0)114 226 1074
Email address: w.ledger@sheffield.ac.uk

4. Professor David M. Howard
Professor in Music Technology BSc, PhD (London), CEng, FIEE, FIOA, MAES
Address: Department of Electronics
University of York Heslington
York Y10 5DD U.K.
Telephone: +44 1904 432405 Fax: +44 1904 432335
Email address: dmh@ohm.york.ac.uk

5. Dr. Georgina Jones
Lecturer in Social Science D.Phil MA BA (Hons)
Member of the Innovations in Primary Care team
Address: Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine Room 5, Level 4 Jessop Wing Tree Root Walk
Sheffield S10 2SF U.K.
Telephone: (0044) (0) 114 271 5929
Email address: g.l.jones@sheffield.ac.uk