Health of Transgender Women: Gynecological, Hormonal, Sexual and Psychological Management

healthtransgenderwomenkapak

VOCAL CORD SURGERY AND FEMINIZING SPEECH THERAPY IN TRANSGENDER WOMEN

Mehmet Zeki Erdem

Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Van, Türkiye

Erdem MZ. Vocal Cord Surgery and Feminizing Speech Therapy in

Transgender Women. Balsak D, Aksin Ş, eds. Health of Transgender Women: Gynecological, Hormonal, Sexual and Psychological Management. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.95-104.

ABSTRACT

Voice surgery and therapy play a crucial role in helping transgender individuals align their voice with their gender identity. Voice surgery, particularly for transgender women, aims to increase the fundamental frequency (F0) to achieve a more feminine voice. Cricothyroid Approximation (CTA) tightens the vocal cords to raise pitch and is a minimally invasive method, though it may affect the natural tone of the voice. Web Glottoplasty shortens the vibrating length of the vocal cords, providing permanent and significant pitch increases, but it requires a longer recovery period. Chondrolaryngoplasty (Adam’s apple reduction) feminizes the neck’s appearance and has indirect effects on the voice. Laser Vocal Cord Shortening is a less invasive alternative, but its results may be less permanent compared to other techniques. Voice therapy complements surgical interventions by focusing on modifying pitch, resonance, and communication style. For transgender women, therapy aims to raise pitch, soften resonance, and develop a melodic speaking style. For transgender men, the goal is to lower pitch and achieve a stronger, more confident vocal quality. Therapy uses individualized techniques tailored to the specific needs of each person. Research shows that combining surgery and therapy is effective in improving voice satisfaction and quality of life for transgender individuals. Personalizing surgical techniques and supporting them with voice therapy ensures successful outcomes.

Keywords: Voice surgery; Voice therapy; Transgender health; Feminization; Masculinization

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