Sunlight Sensitivity From Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Oral contraceptives may cause sunlight sensitivity. An eruption similar to polymorphic light eruption developed in a 31-year-old Negro woman who was taking norethynodrel with mestranol (Enovid E). Symptoms and lesions cleared after stopping the drug administration, only to reappear after trial with other oral contraceptives. Estrogen alone caused the condition to reappear, suggesting that this was the active agent in causing sunlight sensitivity. The "pill" can be added to the growing list of photosensitizing drugs.