You’ve Heard of Thalidomide Babies, what about DES Babies?
February 21st, 2012. By AbiK
It’s a startling reality that DES Mothers, DES Daughters and DES Sons live with—that not many people know about or have heard about the pregnancy drug DES—diethylstilbestrol—or the harmful effects its had on both mothers who took the drug, and children who were exposed to the drug in utero.
DES was prescribed during the 1940′s to the 1970′s to expectant mothers who were at risk for miscarriage or pre-term delivery. The drug, however, was found to potentially cause clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA), a rare form of vaginal and cervical cancer; reproductive tract structural changes such as a T-shaped uterus; complications in pregnancy such as ectopic (tubal) pregnancy and pre-term delivery; and infertility.
DES finally had its FDA approval revoked in 2000 (it had been recommended that doctors not prescibe it in 1971)—but not until potentially millions of mothers and children had been negatively affected by it. And those children are now between forty and seventy years of age or so—some of whom have lived through infertility or miscarriages of their own with out knowing that the reason could be connected to exposure to DES.
And that begs the question: why do so few people know about DES and the damage its caused? DES seems to be in the shadows of thalidomide—so much so that it’s been referred to as the ’silent thalidomide’ in the press.
There are some possible reasons why, of course.
First, thalidomide was never approved for use in the US. DES was approved which perhaps made it appear less pernicious—after all, ‘my doctor prescribed it’.
Second, thalidomide babies could not help but evoke the collective sympathy and outrage of all who had seen a picture of an innocent newborn with severe birth defects such as missing or shortened arms or other severe disfigurement. There are no alarming pictures of DES victims—only faces; and those faces look just like you or me.
And finally, thalidomide, by its horrific nature, wove its way into popular culture—probably the most familiar evidence of this for many is the Billy Joel lyric from “We Didn’t Start the Fire”.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES), however, has potentially affected many more women in the US—and their children and perhaps their children’s children (aptly called ‘DES Third Generation’)—than thalidomide and is in some ways a much more heinous drug in that DES is the one that slipped through the proverbial cracks—the one that the FDA didn’t put the brakes on—soon enough.
Perhaps you now know about DES. But more importantly, do you know if you were on DES or exposed to it?
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I took one day of DES when I was pregnant and about 2 months along in 1960 and had started to have some bleeding. Thank God it was only one or two days. However, my oldest daughter born of that pregnancy, has at one time had to have a pre-cancerous growth removed many years ago. She is now 51. Could that possibly have been related to the DES from so many years ago? She was in late '20's when she had the growth removed. Now, she herself has a 21-yr. old daughter. Could my own daughter still have some repercussions (she lives in another state and probably doesn't tell "Mom" every little female problem because she worries about my health nowadays. ) Should I contact her and ask if she has had other female problems?
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LAS_Admin Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 7:21 am
Hi Barbara, Thank you for sharing about your experience with DES. I cannot say whether taking DES in your situation was or was not linked in any way to your daughter having a pre-cancerous growth–that would need to be explored by medical professionals and/or the researchers who've studied DES. On a personal note, you may want to at least let your daughter know that you had been on DES if you haven't already–even though it was for a very brief time–so she is aware, and so that she is also aware of your concerns. And, it goes without saying that should you feel any injury has been caused by DES, you can submit a complaint for a DES attorney to review here: https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form…
[Reply]
LAS_Admin Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 7:21 am
Hi Barbara, Thank you for sharing about your experience with DES. I cannot say whether taking DES in your situation was or was not linked in any way to your daughter having a pre-cancerous growth–that would need to be explored by medical professionals and/or the researchers who've studied DES. On a personal note, you may want to at least let your daughter know that you had been on DES if you haven't already–even though it was for a very brief time–so she is aware, and so that she is also aware of your concerns. And, it goes without saying that should you feel any injury has been caused by DES, you can submit a complaint for a DES attorney to review here: https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form…
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My brother was born blind in one eye. My sister had serious cancer, uterous removed at age 20. I am the youngest and was born with significant underbite, not enough room for teeth and deep roots for nerves (3-4 root canals). Largest tonsils doctor ever removed too.
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