Voice Changes in Women Treated for Endometriosis

자궁 내막증으로 치료 받은 여성들의 음성 변화

Background and Objectives : Hormonal treatments which have an androgenic effect have the potential to cause vocal changes. The changes in vocal fold structure and voice quality are considered to be irreversible. To date, studies have documeted subjective vocal changes or documented single cases without detailed, baseline voice assessments. Materials and Methods : We have performed objective voice analyses of 20 women who were treated with androgenic hormones for endometriosis and compared the results with those of normal control women. Results : The averages of fundamental frequency were 194.7${\pm}$28.2 in study group, 207.0${\pm}$14.1 in control group. The means of closed quotient which were measured with electroglottography were 45.13${\pm}$2.06 in study group, 45.1${\pm}$3.03 in control group. Results of acoustic analysis are as follows. The averages of jitter were 0.95${\pm}$0.46 in study group, 1.10${\pm}$0.65 in control group. The means of shimmer were 2.44${\pm}$0.60 in study group, 2.32${\pm}$1.09 in control group. The averages of noise to harmonic ratio were 0.13${\pm}$0.028 in study group, 0.15$\pm$0.18 in control group. Conclusion : Although there were no statistically meaningful differences between the two groups, we could detect the masculinizing tendency of the therapeutic hormones of endomentriosiss(lowering of fundamental frequency). Given the availability of objective voice assessments today and the continued use of these potent hormones, comprehensive voice assessment and vocal monitoring would appear vital for women commencing hormonal treatment.