DES (diethylstilbestrol) is a synthetic estrogen drug that was thought to prevent miscarriage. It was given to millions of pregnant women starting in 1938 through 1971. The women who took DES and the children that were born while they were taking DES may develop certain health problems that require special care.

Daughters born to women who took DES may fall into a small group of about 1 in 1000 for a rare form of vaginal or cervical cancer called "clear cell andenocarcinoma". There may be no obvious signs of DES exposure. If you were born between 1938 and 1971, try and determine with your mother if she took DES during her pregnancy. If she is unsure, it may be possible for her to get information from her medical records. DES daughters who were born in this time period to mothers taking DES need a special exam once a year for the cancer and since they can pose a higher risk for miscarriage and premature births, their doctors should be aware of their exposure so they can receive special care during pregnancy.

Sons born to women who took DES can also have problems. These range from harmless irregularities to problems which may require medical treatment. Many doctors do not know that DES exposure before birth can affect men as well a women. Epididymal cysts are the most common abnormality in DES sons. The epididymis is a structure on the back of each testicle where sperm are stored. Epididymal cysts are non-cancerous growths that feel like small lumps. They may disappear and recur over time. They do not need to be treated unless they are painful.

DES sons can also suffer from small testicles and undescended testicles which can have an increased chance of developing testicular cancer. DES sons can also have Hypospadias which is a condition where the opening of the penis is located on the under-side of the penis rather than at the end and Meatal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the opening of the penis.

I you have any of these conditions and discover that your mother took DES while pregnant, you should seek medical attention. You may also have a claim against the drug company if you have suffered as a result of this drug. Contact Us Here to find out.

Names of DES Drugs

Below is a list DES drugs as well as drugs similar to DES, that were sold in the United States.

Nonsteroidal Estrogens
Benzestrol, Chlorotrianisene, Comestrol, Cyren A., Cyren B., Delvinal, DES, DesPlex, Dibestil, Diestryl, Dienestrol, Dienoestrol Diethylstilbestrol, Dipalmitate, Diethylstilbestrol, Diphosphate,Diethylstilbestrol, Dipropionate, Diethylstilbenediol, Digestil, Domestrol, Estilben, Estrobene, Estrobene DP, Estrosyn, Fonatol, Gynben, Gyneben, Hexestrol, Hexoestrol, Hi-Bestrol, Menocrin, Meprane, Mestilbol, Microest, Mikarol, Mikarol forti, Milestrol Monomestrol Neo-Ocstranol I Neo-Ocstranol 11 Nulabort Oestrogenine OestromeninOestromon Orestol Pabestrol D. Palestrol Restrol Stil-Rol Stilbal Stilbestrol Stilbestronate Stilbetin Stilbinol Stilboestroform Stilboestrol Stilboestrol DP Stilestrate Stilpalmitate Stilphostrol Stilronate Stilrone Stils
Synestrin Synestrol Synthoestrin Vallestril Willestrol

Nonsteroidal Estrogen-Androgen Combinations Nonsteroidal Estrogen-Progesterone Combination Vaginal Cream
Suppositories w/Nonsteroidal Estrogens

Amperone, Di-Erone, EstanMetystil,Teserene, TylandrilTylosterone, Progravidium, AVC Cream w/Dienestrol, Dienestrol Cream