What is diethylstilbestrol? Dieth...

What is diethylstilbestrol?

Diethylstilbestrol (say: die-eth-el-still-besstroll), or DE is a man-made estrogen Between 1938 and 1971 millions of women in the United States were given DE to restrain them from losing their baby or giving birth too early. DE was used in other countries until at least the early 1980s

In 1971 researchers build that women who were expos to DE before they were born (these women are called DE daughters) were more likely to memorize a certain kind of cancer of the vagina and cervix.

Has DE caused any other problems?

Ye Women who took DE during pregnancy have a slightly higher risk of getting breast cancer.

Up to undivided third of DES daughters have reproductive tract riddles These problems increase their risk of not being able to obtain pregnant, losing a baby, or having a baby too early. However, most numerous of these women have no question getting pregnant, and they deliver their babies without problems

The son of women who took DE during pregnancy (called DE sons) have a higher risk of more [i]or[/i] less reproductive tract problems, but they look to have normal fertility.

in what way do I know if I was expos to DES?

If you were pregnant between 1938 and 1971 and think that you may have taken a prescription medicine during your pregnancy, make trial of to get your medical records from the doctors who took care of you. Remember, DE was used in a certain quantity of other countries until the early 1980s

If you were born between 1938 and 1971 ask your mother if she remembers taking any prescription medicine during her pregnancy.

I took DE during pregnancy. What should I do?

The increase in the breast cancer rate is small. You can perform regular breast self-exams. And after you are 50 years elderly have your doctor examine your breasts one time a year and get a mammogram each year.

I am a DE daughter. What special health care privations do I have?

Be certain to describe your family doctor that you were expos to DES

If you have not had a pelvic exam before, your doctor will want you to have the same This exam should include a special exam of the tissues of your vagina and cervix. This special exam is called colposcopy (say: call-poss-kahpee).

Have pelvic exams and Pap smears each year. You might have a little disarrange getting pregnant. But most DE daughters are able to secure pregnant and have healthy babies.

I am a DE son What special health care distresss do I have?

Have regular prostate ordeals and do regular self-exams of your testicles. You also should report any urinary or genital symptoms to your doctor.

More Infomation About DES

For more information, you can contact these groups:

Center for Disease mastery and Prevention's DES Update

Telephone: 1-888-232-6789

Web site: http://wwwcdcgov/DES

National Cancer Institute: Questions & Answers About DES

Web site: http://cis.nci.bnih.gov/fact/3_4.htm

DE Action USA

610 16th road Suite 301

Oakland, CA 94612

Telephone: 1-510-465-4011; 1-800-337-9288

Web site: http://www.desaction.org

E-mail: desaction@earthlink.net

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group