singermom1

Just wondering if anyone else has been told or knows of this. My D's teacher told us that birth control pills are very popular with singers to control monthly voice changes due to hormones. What do you guys think?

violadad

Not to be flippant, but I just could not help but envision an ad campaign touting female birth control pills in this respect as truly a "performance enhancing drug".

Seriously, I would thoroughly examine the positives and negatives about introducing any drug unless there is a valid medical reason to do so.

There will be pros and cons in all views and research studies. Short and long term effects should be examined. I would seek qualified medical opinions.

singermom1

FUNNY!!!

I am also interested in what the GALS think!

Most qualified medical opinions advocate putting females on birth control.

Vieuxtemps5

yea... I'm not a singer but I can tell you that that is how it works.

lorelei2702

Birth control hormones are not as strong as they used to be. Singers typically had problems with high notes at the old doses. Cyclical problems with severe cramping and pain, as well as PMS swelling, takes time out of productive study. Avoid the long term shots, six month, etc., those do throw off the mechanism.

If there is severe discomfort and down-time, it might be a good idea for a serious voice student. It is also appropriate if needed for birth control. Each female body reacts differently. Talk to your doctor.

hrnobmom

My musician daughters use bc pills to keep their hormone levels constant and to alleviate monthly focus/performance issues. They are wind players.

Vieuxtemps5

just a tip for all you guys... when you're travelling or touring, don't forget your ibuprofen... I was in backstage somewhere where there are no 24 hour drug stores, and I was about to go on..... just keep in mind that discomfort can happen when you really need to be feeling your best. Plan for these things, especially when abroad.

Singersmom07

DD went on the BC pill last summer before college. We were watching for voice impact and there was none. Voice specialist ENT also checked her. High notes are doing great. The lower doses have less impact I think. Plus there is the reduced risk of getting pregnant - that I think would affect the voice career more than the pill Peace of mind all around.

raquelgonzalez90

I've heard being pregnant actually helps singing...not that that's a reason to get pregnant. : ) It supposedly provides more support, but then of course there's the whole baby thing, which could definitely be a set-back.

musicmomic

There is a little clinical literature on this topic with some evidence of benefit from hormonal shifts being tempered by the pill. Other anecdotal reports still include some idiosyncratic problems with high notes from some pill formulations (e.g., those with higher androgens). The physician should be able to provide information on the androgen content of the pills. For most, the problems resolve once they pill is stopped or there is a switch to a different pill.

neumes

wait, vieuxtemp5, are you a girl?

lorelei2702

I have students who have struggled making the transition off of the the 6 month shots, and there have been vocal effects. When dosages were higher, I observed deterioration in higher range, which is less of an issue in the lower dosages. Anecdotal reportage is only relative to the specific cases cited. Certainly if there are medical reasons to take hormones, i.e. imbalances which create ongoing problems, and/or the situational need for effective birth control, it is worth considering. Otherwise, probably it is not necessary nor appropriate to tamper with mother nature.