Most of us have the misconception that Adam’s apple can be present only in men. However, the truth is that both sexes have it and Adams apple in women can be visible to some and less to others. Even ravishing Hollywood divas like Miley Cyrus and Sandra Bullock have it and flaunt it beautifully.
So, if your Adam’s apple is more prominent than that of other women, should you be concerned? In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about Adams apple in men and women. But first…
Table of Contents
What is Adam’s apple?
The biological term for Adam’s apple is laryngeal prominence. In simple words, it is a bump made of cartilage present on the front of a person’s throat. Every boy or girl is born with cartilage covering and protecting their voice box. As they attain puberty, boys witness more growth in the cartilage than women do.
The outcome is a protruding cartilage on the neck that we address as Adam’s apple. As men have larger larynx than women, the Adam’s apple in them sticks out. The testosterone levels in an individual’s body plays a key role in determining its size.
How did Adam’s apple get its name?
There is an interesting Biblical story behind the concept of Adam’s apple. You must be familiar with the mythological characters of Adam and Eve, the first ever humans who inhabited the Garden of Eden? Eden was a blissful place where none of the sorrows of the mortal world existed. Eve and Adam were free to eat anything they liked other than the fruit of the forbidden tree.
Satan, disguised as a serpent, succeeded in convincing Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, an apple, and it evoked God’s wrath. Adam, who did not want Eve to suffer the consequences alone, ended up having the apple. A piece of that fruit from the tree of knowledge got stuck in his throat. Since then, all men have a visible Adam’s apple.
Do women have Adams apples?
This age-old question has perplexed a lot of people as they assume women can’t have discernible Adam’s apples. While it is primarily a masculine trait, it does not mean women can’t have it. In fact, all women already have Adam’s apple and the only difference is in its visibility. So, when they reach puberty, Adam’s apples become more pronounced in men. But it is not entirely absent in women.
Vocal cords in females
Ready to delve into the fascinating realm of female anatomy? There aren’t any major dissimilarities between the male larynx and the female larynx. However, a few distinctive features like the size difference must be noted.
It is because of this size difference that women have small Adam’s apples. The size contributes to the voice pitch that is higher in the fair sex compared to guys. The vocal cords situated within a person’s larynx are accountable for producing sound. A woman’s vocal cords are thinner and shorter than in men. So, that explains the variation in sound pitches between the sexes. Lastly, the primary sex hormone in women is estrogen.
It further influences the structure and growth of larynx as well as vocal cords. Estrogen makes sure that the growth of the larynx in women is not as much as it grows in men. Doctors also say that the female larynx does not undergo as drastic changes as the male larynx during puberty. Even for women, the voice deepens to an extent, but not as remarkably as in men.
Why does my Adams apple stick out so much?
By now it must be clear to you that Adam’s apple exists in the female body but it is small in size. However, in some women, it is always seeable. So, the next question that comes to mind is, “why do some women have observable Adam’s apples?” A pronounced Adam’s apple in a woman could be an indication of hormonal imbalances. They just have higher levels of testosterone than other girls during their puberty.
The effect of this male hormone triggers the growth of the cartilage around vocal cords. The result is that the Adam’s apple begins to stick out. Other than the Adam’s apple’s enlargement, there can be various signs of testosterone imbalance. Some examples include deepened voice, excess body hair in unexpected places, and acne. Genetics is another determining factor in this case.
Some sources claim that women who perform heavy-intensity workouts can have large Adam’s apples. However, there is not enough scientific evidence that could back this theory. Hence, as long as you don’t take steroids, you shouldn’t worry about developing an Adam’s apple suddenly.
Myths about Adams apple in women
There are many myths surrounding the absence/presence of Adams apple in women. It is important to spread education and awareness regarding human anatomy. So, we’ll debunk those myths to pave the way for an informed and inclusive society.
We have already established that a woman having an Adam’s apple is not an abnormal characteristic. Another baseless assumption is that any woman with Adam’s apple is a transgender. It is regressive to make such generalizations related to physical traits.
What to do if you have a big Adam’s apple?
In some women, the Adam’s apple is naturally enlarged and they become too conscious about it. Several women complain that they face discrimination and stigma because of it. This can cause feelings of low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
If you’re going through the same, you must understand that gender is a deeply personal and complex aspect. Something as trivial as the appearance of Adam’s apple cannot determine your gender identity. Your gender identity encompasses many factors such as cultural, psychological, and biological influences.
If you still don’t feel comfortable with the look of your Adam’s apple, you may opt for surgery. The process for removing Adams apple in women is called chondrolaryngoplasty or tracheal shave.
Adam’s apple removal
Surgeons perform tracheal shave under general or local anesthesia and it does not take much time. There’ll be no need to get admitted to the hospital as you can return home once it’s done. First, the doctor will make a small incision on your neck. After that, they will shave the cartilage to bring it to the desired size.
Side effects of chondrolaryngoplasty
Although a minor surgical procedure, chondrolaryngoplasty can cause the following complications:
- Pain while swallowing (a condition called odynophagia)
- Dysphagia (difficulty to swallow)
- Laryngospasm
- Hoarseness
Note that all these are temporary symptoms and they subside after a few days. Doctors ideally remove the stitches 7 days after the surgery and within a month, you will be fully recovered. In rare cases, tracheal shave can lead to complications like change in the voice. If the surgeon ends up removing excess cartilage, that will affect your vocal cords. They might get permanently damaged and it won’t be possible to restore your previous voice.
Is chondrolaryngoplasty worth it?
A noticeable Adams apple in women should be taken as a naturally occurring growth. It mustn’t be a cause of shame but a source of pride. From a medical perspective, having a slightly larger Adam’s apple is not a matter of concern.
It is not similar to other growths like cysts and tumors. Hence, you can be certain that it won’t impact your health adversely. Wondering why people still consider surgery?
Most women who say yes to surgery to decrease their Adam’s apple’s size do it for non-medical reasons. They believe that doing it will enhance their physical beauty.
What you need to remember is that every person is different and that’s what makes them unique. So, getting rid of the Adam’s apple is not necessary and having a less obvious Adam’s apple is not the ultimate definition of feminine beauty.
Moreover, your insurance agency may not pay for it even if you have health insurance. That’s because tracheal shave falls in the category of cosmetic surgeries.
Final Thoughts
Adams apple in women is not an abnormality and you need not be ashamed of it. While a big Adam’s apple is traditionally associated with the male gender, women also can have it. In fact, Francesca Neri, one of the most stunning Italian actresses, have it. So, it is for you to decide whether you want to keep it or bid adieu to it. Do you want to fit in with society’s hackneyed expectations of appearance and gender? The choice is yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is my Adams apple not visible?
If your Adam’s apple is not discernible, it means your body had low levels of testosterone during your teenage years.
2. How to reduce adams apple in girls?
When it comes to reducing Adams apple in women, there is no home remedy. The only option is to go through chondrolaryngoplasty which is a cosmetic surgery.
3. What actress has an Adam’s apple?
Many well-known women in the film industry have an Adam’s apple that’s prominent. Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock, and Miley Cyrus are some notable examples of high-profile women with big Adam’s apples.
