The human voice is a very important factor in how we communicate and express ourselves to the people we meet. It can show emotions and intentions, and it can even reflect or mimic your attitude by the way you talk. It is generated by the vibration of the vocal chords, which are located in our larynx, or “voice box.” What determines the pitch of our voices is the size and tension of our vocal cords. You might have noticed that every person has a different voice. That is simply because some people tend to have longer and thicker vocal cords while others have the exact opposite.
Some people tend to have a lower pitch and a deeper voice, while others have a very high pitch. There are a lot of factors affecting the change of the human voice; some argue that it’s all about genetics, while others say it’s about how we use and take care of our voices. Some common main factors of voice change and the deepening of it are:
● Genetics- can greatly be influenced by genetic factors such as each individual’s genetic size of the vocal cords and larynx, mainly.
● Hormonal changes- These changes usually occur during puberty, pregnancy, and even menopause.
● Vocal training and use- How we use our voice in our day-to-day lives greatly affects our voice change. People like singers, teachers, or anyone who does public speaking can experience changes in voice due to overuse.
● Health and lifestyle factors- Our vices greatly affect our voice. Vices like drinking, smoking, and other toxic environmental pollutants can greatly affect our voice.
● Age- As we eventually get older, our voices typically become lower and more resonant. This is because of the change in the structure or shape of our vocal cords and our larynx.
●Testosterone- This hormone plays a big role in the deepening of the voice, not only for men but for women as well. For men, this testosterone is at its peak during puberty; for women, taking testosterone causes their voices to deepen.
But before we talk about testosterone and its relation to voice depth, we must first understand how testosterone works and how it affects the body.
Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible for the development and maintenance of male characteristics. This hormone is responsible for the deepening of the voice, not only for men but also for females if taken. In addition, it also contributes to the development of muscle mass and strength, increasing the bone density of a person, and the growth of body and facial hair. It also plays a big role in sexual function.
Testosterone is widely used for many various reasons both male and female, especially bodybuilders:
What really happens when we take in testosterone? Does it really make your voice deeper? How long does the voice deepen upon taking the testosterone? These are some of the common questions people ask when it comes to the human voice and testosterone. To answer that:
Yes, testosterone makes your voice deeper. But it’s not that simple; voice change is complex and has different effects on people. The level of deepness your voice would get would depend on several factors, such as genetics, overall health, and how much testosterone you are taking in. Some people tend to genetically have deeper voices; those people don’t get affected by this side effect that much. But for those who are genetically born with higher-pitched voices, they are usually the ones who notice the big difference testosterone makes when used.
1st question: Does TESTOSTERONE MAKE YOUR VOICE DEEPER? (DEEPER ANSWER)
As we dig deeper into testosterone and how it affects the depth of the voice, we have to mention the people who commonly use testosterone and the reasons why their voices become deeper. In the world of bodybuilding, testosterone is one of the most famous steroids being used. It is not only used by men but by women as well. We have to understand that these people are professionals and are taking testosterone for a certain goal, which is to win the category that they are competing in.
It’s important to note that taking in too much testosterone can have so many adverse effects on the voice. Excessive use of testosterone can make the sound of the voice raspy, and in some rare cases, it can cause loss of voice or difficulty speaking. It’s also worth mentioning how our individual genetics change the depth of our voices when taking in testosterone. We need to understand that just because one person did well with testosterone doesn’t mean that it won’t have negative adverse effects on the other person.
Here are a few more tips to help minimize the deepening of your voice when using testosterone:
- Talk to your doctor: Make sure you understand the potential side effects, including voice changes.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. These two irritate the vocal cords and can greatly damage your voice and cause voice changes.
- Stay hydrated. If you are dehydrated, you are likely to irritate your vocal cords, which can damage your voice.
- Get enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep can cause fatigue and breakdown, making it difficult for you to control your voice. Get at least 6–8 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Seek therapy: If you feel worried, anxious, or self-conscious about voice changes, consider talking to someone. Find someone to work through these feelings with you and give you support.
- Decrease testosterone usage: If you find that your voice is changing in a dramatic way, it would be best to stop or decrease testosterone.
2ND QUESTION: Does testosterone make your voice deeper PERMANENTLY?
While we have already discussed that testosterone can cause the voice to deepen, many people ask if it changes our voice permanently. The answer would depend, simply because we must consider different factors when we take in testosterone:
One factor is that whether testosterone causes voice changes depends on the age at which the person takes testosterone. When taken at a younger age, especially around puberty, there is a higher chance of permanent voice change. However, if taken at a later stage in life, there is a lesser chance of a permanent voice change since our voices have already been fully developed at that stage. Another factor that can impact the permanence of testosterone-driven voice change is the amount of testosterone taken and the duration of the cycle. High doses over a long duration can more likely lead to permanence in voice change compared to lower doses over a short period of time.
Lastly, we must consider the health and lifestyle factors of a person when it comes to testosterone-induced voice change. Smoking and drinking, as mentioned above, can compound the voice-changing effects of testosterone. There would be less chance of permanent voice changes if a person lived a healthy lifestyle compared to a person who had unhealthy habits.
In conclusion, the relationship between our voices and testosterone is a very complex topic and can be influenced by several factors, such as age, testosterone dosage, the way we eat and exercise, genetics, and other factors. If you are concerned about the effects of testosterone on your voice, it would be best to consult an expert before using it.