For thirty years between 1941 and 1971, five million women in the United States were prescribed a synthetic estrogen called diethylstilbestrol to prevent miscarriage.
This drug was responsible for increasing the risk of genitourinary malformations in their sons, and vaginal cancer and cervical malformations in their daughters. If your mother was given DES during her pregnancy, your pregnancy will be high risk and require special care and attention.
Women born to mothers who were given DES during their pregnancies risk a higher incidence of reproductive organ abnormalities, cervical and vaginal cells changes and cancer.
While your particular circumstances will need to be determined by your doctor, women who are DES daughters have a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and premature labor.
Unfortunately a previous normal pregnancy does not reduce the risk, and all DES daughter pregnancies require high risk obstetric care and early confirmation of pregnancy.
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DES was sold under a number of different brand names. If you are concerned that you may be a DES daughter, ask your mother for the names of the drugs she took during her pregnancy. You should contact DES action (510) 465-4011 who will be able to tell you if any of the drugs were DES. The organization can also refer you to doctors who specialize in the treatment of DES daughters.
If you are a DES daughter your prenatal care will automatically be upgraded. You will need to visit an obstetrician during your pregnancy and receive special DES pelvic exams and regular Pap smears. Early confirmation of pregnancy is important and you should contact your doctor as soon as you think you are pregnant.
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