The influence of Microgynon and Diane-35, two sub-fifty ovulation inhibitors, on voice function in women

Abstract

The early days of oral contraceptives showed some evidence that these medications may have caused undesirable side effects on the voice, mainly in terms of virilization. In a random study carried out at the university hospitals of Jena and Berlin (Charité), two more recent drugs were tested in this regard, one containing cyproterone acetate (Diane-35) and the other one levonorgestrel (Microgynon), both from Schering. Ninety-one patients took part in extensive clinical and instrumental phoniatric investigations of voice function over a period of one year. No significant side effects on the voice could be proven for the two preparations. Gynecological and clinical effects of both Diane-35 and Microgynon were similar during the one-year study period. Women taking Diane-35 had less intracyclic bleedings and amenorrhea. Also, acne was more favorably influenced by Diane-35.

PIP: The voice apparatus and skin are target organs for androgens, with the voice becoming deeper under the influence of androgens. There is some evidence that first-generation oral contraceptives may have affected users' voices. The authors report their findings of an evaluation of the effects of Microgynon and Diane-35, recent oral contraceptives manufactured by Schering, upon the voices of 91 female patients. Microgynon contains cyproterone acetate, while Diane-35 contains levonorgestrel. Extensive clinical and instrumental phoniatric investigations of voice function were conducted over a one-year period. Neither drug was found to have a significant side effect upon the voice, while gynecological and clinical effects of the drugs were similar during the study period. Women taking Diane-35 had less intracyclic bleeding and amenorrhea, and realized a comparatively favorable effect of the drug upon acne.