Were You Born Between 1938 and 1971
Or Pregnant Then?
If So, You Could Be Exposed To DES
National Cancer Institute
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institutes of Health
WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN ABOUT DES
DES is a drug that was given to millions of pregnant women primarily from
1938 to 1971. It can cause problems in the daughters and sons of the women
who took it, and in the women themselves. If you were exposed to DES, you
may need special health care.
a DES Ad from 1957
This ad appeared in a major medical journal in 1957. It is now known that
DES exposure
is related to health problems in the children of the women who took it,
and in
the women themselves. If you were exposed to DES, you may need special health
care.
Helen's Story (A DES Mother):
"My doctor gave me DES with my first pregnancy in 1961 'Just in case
you have a miscarriage.' I wanted the baby so much I did everything right,
I didn't smoke, I didn't drink wine. I didn't even wear high heels. I
was thrilled when my daughter was born. Donna was ten when the news about
DES and cancer came out. I was devastated. I thought, 'what have I done?'"
Katie's Story (a DES Daughter):
"I've known since I was young that my mother had trouble getting pregnant.
But it wasn't until I had my first Gyn exam when I was in college that
I discovered my DES exposure. Now I'm getting to the point where I want
to have children. I'm nervous about cancer, but even more about infertility."
Rob's Story (a DES Son):
"My mother took DES. Maybe that's why one of my testicles is smaller
than the other. I don't like to think about anything being wrong with my
genitals, but if there is something wrong I want to know about it."
