Effects on the Menstrual Cycle of in Utero Exposure to DiEthylStilbestrol

Abstract

DiEthylStilbestrol usage review buttress the need for adequate and rigorous research into the use of drugs in pregnancy and ensure that they do more good than harm before being introduced for consumption.

OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of in utero exposure to diethylstilboestrol on the menstrual cycle.

STUDY DESIGN:
This was a prospective cohort study of 198 diethylstilbestrol-exposed women and 162 unexposed controls, recruited from women whose mothers participated in a randomized trial of diethylstilbestrol in pregnancy at the Chicago Lying-In Hospital from 1950 to 1952. Women with severe menstrual abnormality were excluded from the study.

RESULTS:
Diethylstilbestrol exposure was associated with a statistically significantly decreased duration of menstrual bleeding of approximately one half day and a lower average daily bleeding score (self-reported). We found no evidence for effects of diethylstilbestrol exposure on cycle length or variability of cycle length. Exposure was not related to symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

CONCLUSIONS:
The decreased duration and amount of menstrual bleeding among diethylstilbestrol-exposed women could be due to direct effects on the uterus. The lack of an effect on cycle length and variability appears to indicate that endocrine function is not grossly disturbed in those women studied.

Sources:

• Effects on the menstrual cycle of in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol, NCBI, PMID: 8141188,
  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994 Mar;170(3):709-15.
• Full text: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S0002937894702683, DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9378(94)70268-3.

More DES DiEthylStilbestrol Resources

• DES studies on cancers and screening.
• DES studies on epigenetics and transgenerational effects.
• DES studies on fertility and pregnancy.
• DES studies on gender identity and psychological health.
• DES studies on in-utero exposure to DES and side-effects.
• DES studies on the genital tract.
• Papers on DES lawsuits.
• DES videos and posts tagged DES, the DES-exposed, DES victims.