Ongoing Consequences of In Utero Diethylstilbestrol Exposure

DES-exposed women have long-term excess risk for adverse reproductive, obstetric, and neoplastic events.

After the nonsteroidal estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) was found in the early 1950s to be ineffective for preventing early pregnancy loss, its once-widespread use for this indication declined. Beginning in the late 1960s, associations between in utero DES exposure and incidence of clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix emerged; linkages to genital tract defects and pregnancy complications also surfaced in DES daughters. Now, investigators have conducted a combined analysis of three U.S. cohort studies to assess 12 adverse health outcomes in 4653 DES-exposed and 1927 unexposed women.

In DES-exposed women, hazard ratios (all significant) were 1.4 (12.7% excess cumulative risk) for preeclampsia; 1.6 (11.7%) for spontaneous abortio…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Ongoing Consequences of In Utero Diethylstilbestrol Exposure

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Reviewing Author