A Case of Hormonal Dysphonia

—Thirty-Year Follow-up of an Identical Twin—

Abstract

Hormonal dysphonia is induced by hormonal therapy using virilizing agents. A woman 48 years of age was given mixed hormones of estragiol and testosterone (Dihormon depot®) for dysmenorrhea at age 17. She immediately developed dysphonia and her habitual pitch lowered. When she was first seen at age 18, the pitch was B3. Estimating from the habitual pitch of her identical twin who had not been given any drugs, the original pitch was thought to be D4. Her habitual pitch has thus lowered by 3 semitones. She trained her voice using a piano at her home but without any effect, and her voice never recovered. The pathology and care for hormonal dysphonia were discussed.