Pregnancy and singing
During pregnancy, the singing voice is rather favourably influenced by the hormonal changes. The mucous membrane stores more fluid than usual and the vocal folds close better, making the voice more effortless. Only in the last months of pregnancy can there be problems due to a slightly restricted respiratory function, because the child pushes the diaphragm upwards a little and the lungs can therefore fill a little less.
After birth, which is a sudden massive physical change, not only hormonally, but also due to the significant changes in volume, especially in the abdominal cavity, the voice functions somewhat differently than usual for a few weeks. The stretched abdominal muscles have to find their shape again, the movements in the respiratory system have to adjust and get accustomed again.
Mothers with newborns are often tired and weak because the healing process, the regression, the breastfeeding and the often irregular sleep rhythm are a great physical strain. It is therefore absolutely normal that professional singing is usually not possible in the first weeks and months.
Menopause and singing
Many singers are afraid of the hormonal changes caused by the menopause. The decline in female hormones actually results in physical changes that can affect the larynx and vocal tract. The mucous membranes become drier and the suppleness of the fine movements may decrease somewhat. However, there are only a few women who experience significant voice problems for organic reasons. Experience shows that the fear of the possible change has the greater negative effect on the voice. It also often happens that previously unnoticed technical deficiencies become more apparent due to the hormonal change, but these can still be corrected at this time.