can steroids make a man's voice deeper??

[Mr_MAX]

What specifically? Test?

I recall watching a few BB competitions on tv, and when they interviewed the winners they sounded like Michael Jackson...

There was no deepening voice going on for some of those guys...in fact, I would have sworn it was just the opposite.


Bluesman

i was kinda thinking that also... has anyones voice got deeper .. any personal exp..??

 

[Fukkenshredded]

A side effect of androgens is the deepening of the voice. I'm in Radar's camp here -- mine started out very very deep, and I don't use a lot of gear to begin with. That being said, a few buddies from some time back have claimed that their voices have gotten deeper from extended testosterone cycles (over several years).

 

[b1ewsw32]

The longer you're on the deeper it gets.

Hmmm...sounds like my pee-pee in a bitches box..Oh! I missed the"on" part, probably because of all the anabolic posts with "on" this cycle or "on" this chemical the word "on" has totally de-sensitized my optic nerve/chiasma/ocipital lobe track...J/K
Anyway..."Let's get serious".....

Endocrine dysfunction

Endocrine (hormonal) problems warrant special attention. The human voice is extremely sensitive to endocrinologic changes, and many of these are reflected in alterations of fluid content of the lamina propria just beneath the laryngeal mucosa. This causes alterations in the bulk and shape of the vocal folds and results in voice change. Hypothyroidism is a well-recognized cause of such voice disorders, although the mechanism is not fully understood. Hoarseness, vocal fatigue, muffling of the voice, loss of range, and a sensation of a lump in the throat may be present even with mild hypothyroidism. Even when thyroid function tests results are within the low-normal range, this diagnosis should be entertained, especially if thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are in the high-normal range or are elevated. Thyrotoxicosis may result in similar voice disturbances.

Voice changes associated with sex hormones are encountered commonly in clinical practice and have been investigated more thoroughly than other hormonal changes. Although a correlation appears to exist between sex hormone levels and depth of male voices (higher testosterone and lower estradiol levels in basses than in tenors), the most important hormonal considerations in males occur during the maturation process.

When castrato singers were in vogue, castration at approximately age 7-8 years resulted in failure of laryngeal growth during puberty, and voices that stayed in the soprano or alto range boasted a unique quality of sound. Failure of a male voice to change at puberty is uncommon today and is often psychogenic in etiology; however, hormonal deficiencies, such as those seen in cryptorchidism, delayed sexual development, Klinefelter syndrome, or Fröhlich syndrome, may be responsible. In these cases, the persistently high voice may be the complaint that causes the patient to seek medical attention.

Voice problems related to sex hormones are more common in female singers than in male singers. Although vocal changes associated with the normal menstrual cycle may be difficult to quantify with current experimental techniques, unquestionably they occur. Most of the ill effects are observed in the immediate premenstrual period and are known as laryngopathia premenstrualis. This common condition is caused by physiologic, anatomic, and psychological alterations secondary to endocrine changes. The vocal dysfunction is characterized by decreased vocal efficiency, loss of the highest notes in the voice, vocal fatigue, slight hoarseness, and some muffling of the voice. It is often more apparent to the singer than to the listener. Submucosal hemorrhages in the larynx are common in the premenstrual period. In many European opera houses, singers used to be excused from singing during the premenstrual and early menstrual days (ie, grace days). This practice is not followed in the United States and is no longer thetrend in most European countries.

Premenstrual changes cause significant vocal symptoms in approximately one third of singers. Although ovulation inhibitors have been demonstrated to mitigate some of these symptoms, in some women (approximately 5%), birth control pills may deleteriously alter voice range and character even after only a few months of therapy. When oral contraceptives are used, closely monitor the voice. Under crucial performance circumstances, oral contraceptives may be used to alter the time of menstruation, but this practice is justified only in unusual situations. Symptoms very similar to laryngopathia premenstrualis occur in some women during ovulation.

Pregnancy frequently results in voice alterations known as laryngopathia gravidarum. The changes may be similar to premenstrual symptoms or may be perceived as desirable changes. In some patients, alterations produced by pregnancy are permanent. Although hormonally induced changes in the larynx and respiratory mucosa secondary to menstruation and pregnancy are discussed widely in the literature, the author has found no reference to the important alterations in abdominal support. Uterine muscle cramping associated with menstruation causes pain and compromises abdominal support. Abdominal distension during pregnancy also interferes with abdominal muscle function. Discourage any singer whose abdominal support is compromised substantially from singing until the abdominal impairment is resolved.

Estrogens are helpful in postmenopausal singers but generally should not be administered alone. Sequential replacement therapy is the most physiologic regimen and should be used under the supervision of a gynecologist. Under no circumstances should androgens be given to female singers, even in small amounts, if any reasonable therapeutic alternative exists. Clinically, these drugs most commonly are used to treat endometriosis. Androgens cause unsteadiness of the voice, rapid changes of timbre, and lowering of the fundamental frequency (masculinization). These changes are usually permanent.

Recently, an increase in the abuse of anabolic steroids has occurred. In addition to their many other hazards, these medications may alter the voice. They are (or are closely related to) male hormones; consequently, anabolic steroids are capable of producing masculinization of the voice. Lowering of the fundamental frequency and coarsening of the voice produced in this fashion are generally irreversible.

Other hormonal disturbances also may produce vocal dysfunction. In addition to the thyroid gland and the gonads, the parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, and pituitary glands are included in this system. Other endocrine disturbances also may alter voice. For example, pancreatic dysfunction may cause xerophonia (dry voice), as in diabetes mellitus. Thymic abnormalities can lead to feminization of the voice.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Endocrine System Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Thyroid Problems.

 

[Mr_MAX]

good add