Female put on testosterone replacement therapy

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luv2sing7
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Female put on testosterone replacement therapy
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Hi, I'm a 24 year old female. I have sang my entire life and until a year ago was working on my first album with some amazing producers. I had some health issues come up and made a horrible mistake by going to an "integrative physician" who supposedly knew all about hormones and convinced me that all my hormones were low, including testosterone. So, thinking I could trust a doctor, I reluctantly agreed to what was supposedly a "low physiologic dose" of testosterone. I was on it for about 3 months. It was summertime and I became extremely chronically hoarse. But of course, the doctor didn't inform me that this could be a symptom of too much testosterone, nor did he monitor my levels. We had our house open and I tend to have bad allergies and although I typically only have sinus issues, I just assumed it had to be allergies. I have been off the testosterone now since june. My T levels have been normal for at least 3 months. My voice doesn't feel the same anymore. I can finally talk without being constantly hoarse but If I try and use a higher pitch or yell it just cracks or nothing comes out and I get hoarse. I saw an ENT and he stuck a camera down to look at my chords and said he saw no damage...and to try and exercise it. I had a big vocal range to begin with. but when I do exercises now, the middle range just won't come out. What comes out is cracks and whistles and just...well not singing. :( I'm very discouraged. I feel like I sound like a boy now and I don't understand where my middle range has gone, what to do about it, or if this is permanent? Any input would be greatly appreciated bc I'm quite lost at the moment.
Thank you

James P Thomas MD
James P Thomas MD's picture

Changes due to testosterone will typically mimic the changes associated with puberty in the mail. Testosterone tends to make the vocal cords thicker and stiffer. This impairs the upper vocal range much more than the lower. It also will tend to make the lowest notes in a given individual lower. Changes from testosterone also tend to be permanent.

 

Only a good stroboscopic vocal cord examination could answer your question. There are many other reasons that can cause the voice to be hoarse, crack and whistle.