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 1 mg estradiol valerate +90 μg 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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 10,
2006
Received in revised form:
February 10,
2006
Received:
October 20,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
