A Role of Estrogen in Etiopathogenesis of Melasma in Female Patients- A Prospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Melasma is a common patchy brown, tan or blue-gray facial skin discoloration usually seen in women in the reproductive years.

To study the role of estrogen in etiopathogenesis of melasma in female patients.

To study the estrogen levels and its imbalance in female patients attending Dermatology OPD of C.R.G.H. within 1 year by correlating with the normal levels.

Sixty -six female patients suffering from melasma, between the ages of 15–45 years, were enrolled in the study. Patients were investigated for estrogen levels at any time of their menstrual cycle and estrogen values estimated according to follicular and luteal phase values.

Amongst the sixty-six patients, there were only 18 (27.3%) patients who had normal values for estrogen while the remaining 48 patients (72.7%) had deranged values (mostly increased).

Estrogen plays an important role in causation of melasma.