Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Can anyone tell me is there a connection between the female hormone and the voice in MTF ?
I was at a group meeting and listening to a few Ts girls and thier voices seemed to be the same pitch !!
Does the hormone in some way make ones voice softer ?

I understand that as yet its not meant to be proven but I feel there must be a connection there.
After all attending a class to help with ones voice would not have the same effect on three seperate people.

Quote from: lolli aka Holly on April 30, 2007, 09:23:30 AM
Does the hormone in some way make ones voice softer ?

The official answer is NO; short of voice surgery, there is no way to alter the male voice once it's established.

And yet, a couple of the girls in my support group swear that there's changed during transition - though probably moreso due to a changing attitude and presentation than actual physical changes of the voicebox.

Think of it this way: doesn't your voice change when you're angry? Most people get deeper, louder, more harsh. And when happy and excited, it's more relaxed, often higher-pitched.

Along the same lines, I find that when I'm in a safe setting and can just be ME, my voice becomes softer, lighter, easier. But when I'm tense and feel threatened, it becomes more male-ish, defensive, forceful.

~Kate~

I wish there was I have had to work very hard to keep and maintain my feminine voice, Kate is right it has alot to do with presentation there are a ton of sites on the internet that can help you just google it.

Quote from: Kate on April 30, 2007, 09:38:10 AM

Quote from: lolli aka Holly on April 30, 2007, 09:23:30 AM
Does the hormone in some way make ones voice softer ?

The official answer is NO; short of voice surgery, there is no way to alter the male voice once it's established.

And yet, a couple of the girls in my support group swear that there's changed during transition - though probably moreso due to a changing attitude and presentation than actual physical changes of the voicebox.

Think of it this way: doesn't your voice change when you're angry? Most people get deeper, louder, more harsh. And when happy and excited, it's more relaxed, often higher-pitched.

Along the same lines, I find that when I'm in a safe setting and can just be ME, my voice becomes softer, lighter, easier. But when I'm tense and feel threatened, it becomes more male-ish, defensive, forceful.

~Kate~

Hormones cannot change it, but training ones voice can have the same effects as surgery.  Basically speaking in a higher vocal register will have effects of tightening your vocal chords slowly, over time.  There is a psychological attitude with this as well.
But for those of us who are blessed with wide vocal ranges or upper register ranges, well it is all training.  Hormones only have an effect on the guys (sadly).  We (MtF) have to learn the hard way, and for some vocal training is not possible, the voice is just to low.

I am fortunate enough myself to have musical knowledge (which does help) and a high vocal range (natural tenor I right now, was alto II until I was 20 and got sick in london and it blew my ability to sing in a female range, which somehow I am starting to do again).  Sadly this is something you either have or you don't and hormones will not help.  Only a trained ear, or a speech/vocal trainer/therapist, and dedication can really resolve if it can be resolved. 

Right now my vocal range is between 220-300 Hrz as far as my female voice.  My problem is dropping harmonic tendancies.  Something subtle yet key. 

It seems to change in some people and not in others.  I was fortunate that I was one of the people where it did change.  However, that didn't make it sound female by itself, but rather it has assisted in my development of a female voice and not needing to try as hard when I speak.  I actually noticed my natural voice go from a chest voice to a head voice all by itself.  You know how teenage boys will have their voice switching back and forth as it deepens when they go through puberty for a while?  Well, it was like that, but it just the opposite.  I believe that occurred in May last year which was after about 3 1/2 months on hormones.

  Seconds what Kate said....estrogen cannot change voice...once testosterone has done it's damage that's it, there's no coming back with an alternate hormone.  As mentioned you can "re-learn" new techniques which can result in a more feminine voice.  That being said I believe HRT may aid by helping concrete a state of mind that is more acceptable to learning these techniques be it consciously or unconsciously.