Full Answer
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic form of the female hormone estrogen . It was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prev...
The overall risk of cancer is not elevated in people whose mothers used DES while pregnant compared with the general population ( 6 – 8 ). However,...
Several studies have found increased risks of premature birth , miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy in females exposed to DES in utero . An anal...
People who were exposed to DES in utero may have other health issues or characteristics, including: Autoimmune conditions. Concerns have been r...
Researchers are also studying possible health effects among the children of DES daughters. These groups are called DES granddaughters and DES grand...
The women who used DES are now in their 70s and older. These women have already experienced the slight increase in risks of developing ( 29 ) and d...
It is estimated that 5 to 10 million Americans—pregnant women and the children born to them—were exposed to DES between 1940 and 1971 ( 5 ). DES wa...
Women who know or believe they were exposed to DES before birth should be aware of the health effects of DES and inform their health care provider...
Men whose mothers took DES while pregnant should inform their health care provider of their exposure and be examined periodically. Although the ris...