Does DES cause birth defects?

The effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) DES was found to be a teratogen and carcinogen, which caused serious birth defects when taken in the first trimester of pregnancy during the formation of the fetal genitalia.

What kind of cancer does DES cause?

DES is linked to a rare cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) in a very small number of daughters of women who used DES during pregnancy. This cancer of the vagina and cervix usually occurs in DES-exposed daughters in their late teens or early 20s.

What are the side effects of diethylstilbestrol?

COMMON side effects

• a yeast infection of the vagina and vulva.
• inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses.
• pain with menstruation.
• decreased breast milk production.
• decreased appetite.
• weight gain.
• nausea.
• stomach cramps.

What is Des syndrome?

Diethylstilbestrol syndrome (DES syndrome) refers to developmental or health problems caused by exposure to DES before birth (in utero), such as reproductive tract differences, infertility, and an increased risk for certain cancers .

Are there any problems with the Des grandchildren?

When their offspring, the DES Grandchildren mice, exhibited health problems, researchers raised a warning flag. Scientists are taking what they learned from animal studies to investigate whether a drug given to their grandmothers has affected human DES Grandchildren.

Are there any health problems associated with Des?

If not activated properly, because of exposure to DES in a previous generation, then health problems may develop. DES Granddaughters participating in the long-running National Cancer Institute (NCI) DES Follow-up Study reported menstruation starting at about the same age as unexposed women.

What are the health risks for DES sons?

DES sons (men exposed prenatally to DES) have an increased risk of noncancerous epididymal cysts (growths on the testicles). A few studies suggest that they are also more likely to be born with undescended testes, a misplaced opening of the penis, or an abnormally small penis, but the findings have been inconsistent.

Is there testicular cancer in Des grandsons?

No increases in testicular cancer were found for DES Grandsons, but there has been one case of vaginal/cervical clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) in an 8 year old granddaughter. CCA is the cancer for DES Daughters that is linked to prenatal DES exposure.