Voice changes across the menstrual cycle in response to masculine and feminine man and woman

Objective: Research has demonstrated that men prefer women's voices with higher pitch and that women's voices recorded at high compared to low fertility phases of the menstrual cycle are rated as more attractive. These findings suggest that voice conveys information relevant to reproductive success. Because voice attractiveness is higher during the high fertility phase and voice pitch positively predicts attractiveness ratings, it has been hypothesised that cyclical changes in vocal attractiveness are driven by changes in voice pitch. However, attempts to detect acoustic changes have produced mixed results. With the higher degree of ecological validity achieved by including social context (simulated interactions with men and women) and by recording voice in the three phases of menstrual cycles, the present study addresses limitations of previous research. Methods: Forty-eight naturally cycling women were recorded during the menstrual, late follicular (high fertility), and luteal phases while leaving voice messages to masculine and feminine man and woman. Results: Single women lowered their pitch in the luteal phase while speaking to masculine women, but not men. Women in a relationship increased their pitch in the luteal phase when speaking to masculine woman. They also spoke in a higher pitch in the late follicular phase to feminine man compared to feminine woman. Conclusion: The cycle-related voice changes found in the present study do not support the hypothesis that cyclic pitch variations represent an adaptive mechanism for attracting partners. We discuss cyclic changes in voice pitch in relation to intrasexual competition.