What is voice feminization?
Voice feminization refers to surgical procedures performed to make a voice that is too deep for a person’s age, gender, or physical appearance sound “more normal” and “more aesthetic.”
Who needs voice feminization surgery?
- Individuals with deep voices due to hormonal disorders or hormone therapy,
- People who are structurally predisposed to a naturally deep voice,
- Male-to-female transgender individuals undergoing gender transition,
- Women whose voices have deepened due to long-term smoking.
How is voice feminization surgery performed?
Several surgical techniques may be used to achieve the desired pitch increase. These involve tightening, shortening, or thinning the vocal folds:
- Vocal fold shortening (Wendler glottoplasty):
Performed through the mouth under general anesthesia with the aid of a surgical microscope. Sutures are placed on the vocal folds to shorten their length.
- Vocal fold thinning (Laser reduction glottoplasty):
Also performed through the mouth under general anesthesia with microscopic guidance. A laser is used to thin the vocal fold layers, finely “tuning” the voice.
- Increasing vocal fold tension (Cricothyroid approximation):
Performed under local anesthesia through a small incision in the neck. The patient’s voice can be monitored during surgery, allowing the surgeon to adjust the pitch appropriately.
What should be expected after voice feminization surgery?
- Strict voice rest is required for a period of 5–7 days after surgery, and patients should avoid heavy physical activity to promote healing.
- Following this, there is a two-month period during which voice use must be limited, particularly after oral approaches.
- During this recovery stage, it is normal for the voice to sound rough and deep, which does not mean the surgery was ineffective.
- Complete healing, adaptation to the new “higher-pitched” voice, and familiarization with the new vocal folds typically require 6–12 months.