The Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Vibratory Characteristics of the Vocal Folds Investigated With High-Speed Digital Imaging.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effect of menstrual cycle on vocal fold vibratory characteristics in young women using high-speed digital imaging. This study examined the menstrual phase effect on five objective high-speed imaging parameters and two self-rated perceptual parameters. The effects of oral birth control use were also investigated.


METHODS
Thirteen subjects with no prior voice complaints were included in this study. All data were collected at three different time periods (premenses, postmenses, ovulation) over the course of one menstrual cycle. For five of the 13 subjects, data were collected for two consecutive cycles. Six of 13 subjects were oral birth control users. From high-speed imaging data, five objective parameters were computed: fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency deviation, harmonics-to-noise ratio, harmonic richness factor, and ratio of first and second harmonics. They were supplemented by two self-rated parameters: Reflux Severity Index and perceptual voice quality rating. Analysis included mixed model linear analysis with repeated measures.


RESULTS
Results indicated no significant main effects for menstrual phase, between-cycle, or birth control use in the analysis for mean fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency deviation, harmonics-to-noise ratio, harmonic richness factor, first and second harmonics, Reflux Severity Index, and perceptual voice quality rating. Additionally, there were no interaction effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Hormone fluctuations observed across the menstrual cycle do not appear to have direct effect on vocal fold vibratory characteristics in young women with no voice concerns. Birth control use, on the other hand, may have influence on spectral richness of vocal fold vibration.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Electronic address: mkunduk@gmail.com.
Melda
M
Kunduk
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Mathew B
MB
Vansant
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Takeshi
T
Ikuma
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Andrew
A
McWhorter
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D010699:Phonation / Q000187:drug effects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D014732:Vibration; D014741:Video Recording; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
Birth control; High-speed videoendoscopy; Menstrual cycle; Vocal fold vibration; Voice