Do Women's Voices Provide Cues of the Likelihood of Ovulation?
Author Information
Author(s): Julia Fischer, Stuart Semple, Gisela Fickenscher, Rebecca Jürgens, Eberhard Kruse, Michael Heistermann, Ofer Amir
Primary Institution: Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
Hypothesis
Voice characteristics should systematically vary during the female menstrual cycle and potentially provide information about the fertile phase.
Conclusion
The study found that while women's voices have higher fundamental frequencies just prior to ovulation, the overall variation across the menstrual cycle limits their predictive value for fertility.
Supporting Evidence
- Women speak with a higher fundamental frequency just prior to ovulation.
- Men rated voices recorded during the pre-ovulatory period as more attractive.
- Voice characteristics were measured from both free speech and sustained vowels.
- Significant changes in voice characteristics were observed during menstruation.
Takeaway
Women’s voices change during their monthly cycle, and men find voices more attractive when women are likely to get pregnant.
Methodology
The study combined hormone measurements and acoustic analyses of voice changes throughout the menstrual cycle, with men rating vocal attractiveness from selected samples.
Limitations
The study's findings suggest that voice pitch changes may not be a reliable indicator of fertility due to significant variation across the menstrual cycle.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of participants was 22 years, with a regular menstrual cycle length of 29.1 days.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.013
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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