Quick Answer
There are a few potential reasons why a girl’s voice may get deeper:
- Puberty – The most common reason is puberty. As girls go through puberty, their bodies produce more estrogen and testosterone. The increase in these sex hormones causes the vocal cords to grow longer and thicker, lowering the voice.
- Medical conditions – Some medical conditions can cause a girl’s voice to deepen, like polycystic ovary syndrome, tumors on the vocal cords, or infections.
- Lifestyle factors – Smoking cigarettes long-term can cause the voice to deepen from vocal cord damage. Voice overuse from yelling or singing loudly can also strain and thicken the vocal cords.
- Genetics – Some girls naturally have deeper voices than others simply due to genetic factors affecting their vocal cords.
Typically, a deepening voice is a normal part of puberty. But if the change seems abnormal, it’s a good idea to see an ENT doctor to check for potential underlying causes.
In-Depth Answer
As girls reach puberty, their bodies go through many changes as they transition into womanhood. One of these changes for some girls is a lowering of the voice pitch into a deeper range. There are a few reasons why a girl’s voice may suddenly get deeper during puberty or later in life:
Puberty and Hormone Changes
The most common reason for a girl’s voice to deepen is due to puberty. When girls go through puberty, their bodies begin producing more estrogen and testosterone. The increase in these sex hormones triggers changes including breast development, hips widening, pubic hair growth, and the voice box physically changing.
The larynx, also known as the voice box, contains the vocal folds or cords. Under the influence of pubertal hormones, the larynx grows longer and wider. The vocal cords also increase in length and thickness. This physical change along with muscular development elongates the vocal tract, enabling girls to speak at a lower pitch in the adult female range.
Whereas prior to puberty there is little difference in voice pitch between girls and boys, puberty causes the male voice to deepen even more than the female voice. On average, women’s voices are around 3 notes higher than men. But girls’ voices can sometimes overlap and dip down into the male range if the larynx grows substantially. Voice pitch also depends on the length of an individual’s vocal cords.
During the peak of voice deepening in puberty, a girl’s voice can occasionally crack or break, as her body adjusts similar to boys going through puberty. The degree of voice change varies between girls. While some may only experience a subtle drop in pitch, others find their voices become much deeper. Usually the pitch drop levels off around age 15 but can continue to gradually get lower through the late teens.
Medical Conditions
Sometimes a noticeable sudden drop in a girl’s voice indicates an underlying medical condition needs evaluation:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone disorder causing excess testosterone production in women. The high testosterone levels associated with PCOS can make the voice box grow and vocal cords thicken, resulting in a much deeper voice. Along with voice changes, other PCOS symptoms include irregular periods, excess hair growth, and acne. Obtaining medical treatment can help manage the hormone imbalances.
Vocal Cord Tumors
Rarely, a tumor developing on the vocal cords can cause a young girl’s voice to deepen. The tumor changes the shape and thickness of the vocal cords, affecting vibration and pitch. If the tumor is benign (non-cancerous), removing it through surgery may help restore the normal voice. Some cancerous tumors would also need radiation or chemotherapy.
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one or both vocal cords lose muscle movement, typically due to damage of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. If the vocal cords are unable to move properly, it leads to voice hoarseness and lower pitch. Viral infections, trauma, or tumors can cause vocal cord paralysis. Treatment focuses on therapy to improve cord movement.
Vocal Nodules
Prolonged voice misuse like excessive yelling or singing can cause soft, swollen spots called nodules to form on the vocal cords. The uneven appearance of the cord tissue from nodules causes the voice to sound lower pitched and hoarse. Resting the voice and voice therapy sessions may help. In some cases, surgery removes the nodules.
Laryngitis
A viral or bacterial infection causing laryngitis leads to vocal cord inflammation and swelling. The enlarged cords change the timber and pitch of the voice, making it sound deeper and raspier. Laryngitis usually resolves on its own after the illness runs its course.
Voice Overuse
Habitually overusing the voice by yelling, screaming, using a harsh tone, or singing loudly can irritate the vocal cords. The strain leads to swelling and lower voice pitch. Voice rest helps resolve the inflammation. Teen girls who cheer, sing, or frequently yell at sports events are at risk of voice misuse issues.
If a girl experiences significant voice deepening without an explainable cause like normal puberty, it’s advisable to see an ENT doctor. A laryngologist can perform a full vocal cord exam and determine potential factors involved, whether hormonal, benign growths, paralysis, or other abnormalities.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle choices can also impact the voice, resulting in a deeper tone:
Smoking
When girls or women smoke cigarettes over many years, the toxic chemicals and smoke inhalation cause gradual damage to the vocal cords. This can lead to developing growths called polyps or thicker, rougher tissue. The changes often result in a hoarser, lower pitched, raspy voice. Quitting smoking and getting vocal cord treatment can help improve the voice.
Diet
Having chronic acid reflux can cause stomach acid to regularly back up the esophagus and irritate the vocal cords. A diet high in acidic, fried, and fatty foods makes reflux more likely. The acid exposure causes inflammation and scarring of the cords, deepening the voice. Diet changes to natural, alkaline foods can prevent reflux problems.
Dehydration
Being dehydrated causes the mucous membranes lining the vocal cords to become dry, swollen, and inflamed. Without proper hydration, the voice may sound deeper, hoarser, and have a gritty texture. Drinking adequate water keeps the vocal cords lubricated and functioning properly.
Allergies
Seasonal allergies that lead to excessive mucus dripping down the back of the throat can aggravate the vocal cords. The irritation changes the voice, often making it sound lower pitched, raspy, and muffled. Using allergy medication can reduce postnasal drip. An air purifier in the bedroom helps too.
Genetic Factors
For some girls, genetics play a key role in determining the inherent pitch of their voice. Having parents with naturally deeper voices increases the likelihood of a lower voice range. Genes control the shape and thickness of vocal cords which affects vibration frequency. Just as height and other physical traits run in families, vocal pitch can be inherited.
There is a rare genetic disorder called XY gonadal dysgenesis where a mismatch of chromosomes and sex characteristics occur. People with Swyer syndrome are genetically male (XY) at the chromosome level but phenotypically female with streak gonads rather than ovaries or testes. The male XY genes exposure in utero masculinizes the larynx, resulting in a lower voice.
Genetics can also influence hormone levels that shape the size of the vocal cords during puberty. For example, sensitivity to testosterone or high levels of growth hormone may prompt the voice box to grow larger, creating a deeper voice. Working with a voice coach can help girls learn to embrace their natural tone.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional brief voice hoarseness is common and usually clears up on its own. But if a girl experiences voice changes like:
- Persistent hoarseness or raspiness for over 2 weeks
- Voice deeper than other girls her age
- Voice cracking frequently
- Rapid voice drop that concerns her
- Difficulty speaking loudly
- Abrupt weakness or loss of voice
It is best to set up an appointment with an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor). The ENT specialist can perform a full examination of the vocal cords using a laryngoscope to inspect for any polyps, nodules, paralysis, or other abnormalities.
Early diagnosis of issues like vocal cord lesions or vocal strain can help prevent long term voice damage. The doctor may recommend voice therapy, medication, or surgery depending on the cause of voice changes.
Tips for Coping with a Deeper Voice
While waiting for an ENT appointment, here are some tips that may help if dealing with a sudden deeper voice:
- Avoid throat clearing and coughing which further strains the vocal cords.
- Drink plenty of water to keep the vocal cords hydrated.
- Limit yelling, loud talking, and throat tension when speaking.
- Use a humidifier to moisten the air, which keeps the vocal cords from drying out.
- Try ginger tea or lozenges to soothe inflammation.
- Perform lip trills to relax tight vocal muscles.
- Avoid irritants like spicy foods and smoke which could worsen vocal issues.
- Consider voice therapy to learn healthy vocal techniques if dealing with an overuse injury or chronic hoarseness.
Having patience is also important, as the voice should gradually recover to its normal higher pitch over time once any underlying cause is treated.
Conclusion
In most cases, a girl’s voice deepening is simply a normal part of growing up and reaching puberty. The larynx and vocal cords change shape under hormonal influence, enabling females to speak in the lower adult pitch range. But sometimes a more abrupt voice change can signal issues like polyps, chronic strain, or other abnormalities needing medical care. Seeing an ENT doctor promptly for any persistent voice changes enables early treatment to reduce the chances of permanent damage. While coping with voice issues, being gentle on the vocal cords helps prevent further injury. With proper treatment, the voice can usually regain normal function over time.