Comparison of fundamental voice frequency between menopausal women and women at menacme.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze comparatively the speaking fundamental frequency (F0) between women at menacme and women in the climacterium taking or not hormonal replacement therapy. METHODS: A controlled transverse study was conducted on 45 women divided into three groups of 15 women each Group A (women aged 20-40 years with regular menstrual cycles taking no hormonal contraceptives), Group B (women aged 45-60 years with a duration of menopause of at least 2 years taking 1mg estradiol valerate +90 microg norgestimate per day in a continuous treatment scheme lasting at least 6 months), and Group C (women aged 45-60 years with a duration of menopause of at least 2 years taking no HRT for at least 6 months). The mean age for Groups A, B and C was 30.3, 54.5 and 56.5 years, respectively. The groups were analyzed comparatively regarding F0 values for the sustained vowels /e/ and /i/. RESULTS: Mean F0 for the sustained vowels /e/ and /i/ were 215.97 and 229.89 Hz, 206.21 and 221.79 Hz, 200.71 and 212.79 Hz for Groups A, B and C, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is evidence of a probable modulating effect of sex steroids on the larynx, in the present study no significant differences in speaking voice were observed regarding menopause or the use of HRT. The absence of such differences observed in F0 does not necessarily mean that there is no difference in vocal quality between these groups since F0 represents only a vocal parameter.