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.