DES, or Diethylstilbestrol, was the first artificially created hormone of its kind. During the 1950s and 1960s, it was commonly prescribed to prevent miscarriages and premature births, with millions of women receiving the medication. However, it was later discovered that daughters of women who took Diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy faced a higher risk of developing reproductive organ malformations. These "DES daughters" also experienced increased rates of infertility and miscarriages. Additionally, they were found to have a higher likelihood of developing clear-cell cancers of the vagina and cervix, which are rare but serious conditions, at a young age. By 2000, studies indicated that these daughters were 3-5 times more likely to develop more prevalent forms of cancer compared to women whose mothers did not take DES.Similarly, "DES sons" were found to be prone to testicular issues, such as smaller testicles and undescended testes, which raised their risk for testicular cancer. It's crucial for anyone who believes they might have been exposed to Diethylstilbestrol before birth to inform their healthcare provider for proper examination and monitoring.Despite these risks, Diethylstilbestrol remains available by prescription in the United States. According to its packaging information, DES is prescribed for "palliation only" in selected cases of metastatic disease for both women and men, as well as for "palliative therapy of advanced prostatic cancer."
