Survey study, 1993
How many PMS symptoms do female singers experience and how does this affect their voice?
Female singers reported an average of 33 general PMS symptoms and 3 vocal symptoms. Abdominal bloating was most common overall, and difficulty singing high notes was the most common vocal symptom. Symptoms decreased after age 35.
What they did
Survey of 104 female singers about frequency and severity of 67 general physical and psychological symptoms and 20 vocal symptoms related to PMS. They examined how age, menstrual history, voice type, and performing experience affected symptom patterns.
What they found
Average number of general symptoms was 33 and vocal symptoms was 3. Most frequently reported general symptom was abdominal bloating. Most frequently reported vocal symptom was difficulty singing high notes. Symptoms occurred with moderate regularity and severity. At age 35 symptoms decreased in number and severity.
What it means for you
Many female singers experience multiple PMS symptoms that affect their voice, particularly difficulty with high notes. These symptoms may impact their performing ability. The main limitation is that this studied only singers without comparing to women in other professions, so we don't know if singers experience more PMS than average.
104
female singers surveyed
33
average general symptoms
3
average vocal symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- The effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on the female singer
- Authors
- Davis CB, Davis ML
- Journal
- Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- Survey only
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0892-1997(05)80257-7
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2022
What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?
Randomised trial, 1999
Does a low-dose GnRH agonist relieve premenstrual symptoms while keeping regular periods?
Randomised trial, 1995
Does danazol help severe PMS?
Lab study, 2022
Can we create a rat model of PMDD irritability and does treatment help?
Survey study, 2012
Do women with PMDD have different ovaries or hormones than women without it?
Lab study, 2007
Can antidepressants reduce anxious-like behavior during low-hormone phases in female rats?