Female to male voice surgery is a type of gender affirming surgery that can be used to lower the pitch of the voice. The surgery is typically performed on transgender men who are not satisfied with the pitch of their voice after hormone therapy.
There are two main types of female to male voice surgery:
⦁ Thyroplasty type III: This surgery involves making a small incision in the neck and then making changes to the vocal cords. The surgeon may shorten the vocal cords, reduce their tension, or change their shape.
⦁ Cricothyroid approximation: This surgery involves bringing the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage closer together. This can help to lower the pitch of the voice by increasing the tension of the vocal cords.
Voice surgery is a complex procedure and there are some risks involved, such as:
⦁ Dysphonia: This is a condition that causes difficulty speaking.
⦁ Edema: This is a buildup of fluid in the vocal cords.
⦁ Infection: This is a rare but serious complication.
The results of voice surgery are typically permanent. However, there is a risk that the voice may not lower as much as desired or that the voice may become too high.
If you are considering voice surgery, it is important to talk to a qualified surgeon about the risks and benefits of the procedure. You should also make sure that you are emotionally ready for the surgery and that you have realistic expectations about the results.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
⦁ The Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transgender-voice-therapy-and-surgery/about/pac-20470545
⦁ The Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21779-voice-feminization-surgery
⦁ The World Professional Association for Transgender Health: https://www.wpath.org/
Female-to-male voice surgery, also known as voice masculinization surgery or voice surgery for transgender men, is a procedure that aims to modify the voice to align with a more masculine pitch and resonance. While voice therapy is typically the first approach for voice modification, voice surgery may be considered when individuals desire further changes or have not achieved the desired results through therapy alone.
It’s important to note that voice surgery for transgender men is not as common as voice feminization surgery for transgender women, and the available techniques and outcomes can vary.
Here are a few commonly used procedures:
⦁ Cricothyroid Approximation: This surgical technique involves altering the tension of the vocal folds by adjusting the distance between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage. By increasing the tension, the pitch of the voice can be lowered, resulting in a more masculine-sounding voice.
⦁ Vocal Fold Shortening: In this procedure, a portion of the vocal folds is removed or repositioned to decrease their length. This can help achieve a lower pitch and a more resonant voice quality.
⦁ Vocal Fold Augmentation: For individuals with thinner or less muscular vocal folds, vocal fold augmentation may be performed. This involves injecting substances, such as fat or synthetic materials, into the vocal folds to increase their mass and create a deeper voice.
⦁ Vocal Fold Medialization: Vocal fold medialization techniques aim to bring the vocal folds closer together, which can enhance vocal fold closure and improve vocal quality, resonance, and projection.
It’s important to note that voice surgery carries potential risks and complications, including changes in vocal quality, vocal fatigue, or the need for multiple procedures to achieve the desired results. Therefore, thorough evaluation and consultation with an experienced laryngologist or speech-language pathologist who specializes in transgender voice care are crucial. These professionals can assess your vocal characteristics, discuss potential outcomes, and help determine the best approach for your voice goals.
In addition to voice surgery, voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist experienced in transgender voice care is often recommended before and after surgery. Voice therapy can help individuals develop effective vocal techniques, improve resonance, and enhance overall communication skills to maximize the benefits of surgery and achieve a more natural and authentic voice.