<p>I need some help, my daughter ask me to help her reseach the effects of birth control pills on vocal cords. After surfing the web, I am finding mixed information. I am finding pros and cons to taking estrogen. My D is confused and fearful about starting the presciption of Low-ogestrel that she was recently prescribed (to relieve menstral misery). She stopped in and talked to her vocal instructor today and she thought that it would be safe for her to start the presciption. What do most vocalist do? This forfum has help us with questions in the past. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi there - </p>
<p>I'm a medical voice specialist/Speech Pathologist who works for a major voice center (as well as a vocal coach), so I went to most scientifically reliable site that I know for checking the effect of medications on the vocal folds:
<a href="http://www.ncvs.org/ncvs/info/vocol/rx.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.ncvs.org/ncvs/info/vocol/rx.html</a></p>
<p>and here's what I found:</p>
<p>"The use of oral contraceptives has not been shown to significantly affect female voices." (this info was listed under Triphasil, the name of one type of birth control pill).</p>
<p>I agree with her teacher that it should be fine - in all of the medical voice evals I have been part of (many!:)), we have never asked about birth control pill use or investigated that as a factor in vocal difficulty - and believe me, we are thorough! :)</p>
<p>In the olden days, the dosages were much higher, and there was quite a pronounced effect on the higher range. The pills are different now, and anecdotal reports from premiere level singers do not indicate problems. However, everyone reacts differently to medications, and if your daughter notices changes, she should not disregard her own instincts. Chances are she will feel much better, be more comfortable throughout her cycle and the resulting improved physical energy will make her singing more successful. Good luck to her.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, I take Lo-Ogestrel...the estrogen level is indeed low, but makes a world of difference with regulation and mood swings. Although I am not a singer by any means I have never noticed a change in my voice. I think all the advice given above is good...she will undoutedly feel better with the benefits of the medicine. I would have no reservations if it were my daughter.</p>
<p>As a side note: How wonderful she is so careful with her voice/instrument...considering how some singers smoke, etc....she gets an A+ in my book. :)</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>Thanks for the information guys. Now, my D can make an informed decision. I think she is going to give the presciption a try.
She leaves for college tomorrow! I haven't actually tucked her in her bed at night for years, but I just had to do it one last time this evening. I have enjoyed logging on to CC. I will check in every once in awhile. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>An amendment to what I posted - I asked my more experienced medical colleagues and they said that although it is not common, it IS possible for birth control pills to cause increased vascularity and swelling in the vocal folds - which can then adversely affect singing. The good news is that if this occurs, different pills with a different hormone proportion/combination can be prescribed until the best combination for that person in achieved.</p>
<p>A related and important piece of info: some women also experience vocal fold swelling and related voice difficulty during or just before their menstrual periods, when hormone levels are fluctuating.</p>
<p>LesMis, my colleagues said "definitely tell her to take the meds and then adjust as needed" - because relieving her discomfort is important for her overall physical well-being, which also affects voice. We actually talked about this "trade-off" in another way with a patient today: air conditioning is "objectively" bad for the VOICE (drying), but our BODIES are so much happier and less fatigued when we're not overheated that air conditioning is usually advisable when people are in perpetually hot environments. However, some singers, including Gladys Knight and Whitney Houston, choose to have their performance spaces be a "dripping hot" as possible - warm and humid - because of the positive affect this has on the voice itself.</p>
<p>There's ALWAYS more to learn about vocal production!!! ;)</p>
<p>(I'm such a voice geek!!!!)</p>
<p>How lucky everyone at CC is to have such a wonderful "voice geek" to give professional, factual information. (I love it when you cite your references.) Thank you CoachC.</p>
<p>Another common premenstrual vocal side effect is thick throat mucous and need to clear the throat. Hydration is important, and sometimes use of an expectorant to keep the lubrication flowing freely helps.</p>
<p>Thanks CoachC, you are a smorgasboard of information!</p>