Porphyria cutanea tarda induced by natural estrogens. A case report.

Abstract

A 53 year old white postmenopausal gravida 4 was admitted to the hospital with hyperpigmentation and atrophic scarring of face hands and arms. Hypertrichosis was manifest on forehead and temples. With cessation of menses at age 43 patient had taken natural conjugated equine estrogen to relieve hot flashes. Diagnosis was porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Estrogen was discontinued and improvement occurred in 6 months. It was concluded that PCT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of women taking natural estrogen who develop described symptoms.