Effect of the menstrual cycle on voice quality.

The question addressed was whether most young women with no vocal training exhibit premenstrual hoarseness. Spectral (acoustical) analyses of the sustained productions of three vowels produced by 20 undergraduates at and at premenstruation were rated for degree of hoarseness. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that the typical subject was no more hoarse of premenstruation than at ovulation. To determine whether this finding represented a genuine characteristic of women's voices or a type II statistical error, a systematic replication was undertaken with another sample of 27 undergraduates. The finding replicated that of the original investigation, suggesting that premenstrual hoarseness is a rarely occurring condition among young women with no vocal training. The apparent differential effect of the menstrual cycle on trained as opposed to untrained voices deserves systematic investigation.