Abstract

In an initial study it was shown that (without hormonal influences) middle-aged (premenopausal) women show a smaller frequency and intensity range and a lower fundamental frequency of the voice compared to young women. To investigate the impact of menopause on voice and nasal resonance a cross-sectional non-randomized study design was used. Vocal characteristics and nasal resonance in premenopausal and postmenopausal women without hormone therapy (HT) were compared. Postmenopausal women without HT showed a significantly lower speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) and were able to phonate lower compared to postmenopausal women with HT. The mean difference in SFF was 14 Hz. HT can also counteract the menopausal changes in SFF. The lower SFF did not result in vocal complaints. Further research about the impact of menopause and HT on voice should concentrate on elite professional voice users.