Hi,

Just wondered if anyone else has had issues with having been exposed to DES as a baby and having testicular cysts, auto immune diisease disorders as well as gender dysphoria issues?.

Sarah

I did a small amount of research a few years back on DES. Since I grew up in that time frame when it was given to pregnant mothers, I was concerned that I was exposed to it. I did not find anything to support the idea that I had been exposed to DES. Gender Dysphoria, yes, I do have that, but none of the other symptoms that go along with DES exposure.

There is, however, always the chance that the truth may have been covered up, or forgotten. After all, asking someone what happened almost 50 years ago would tax anyone's memory.

Just wondered in my IGNORANCE what these word are and mean. Please give me a clue if You want to. Thanks./[email protected]

A quick google search revealed this:

DES (diethylstilbestrol) lawyer website. (http://www.deslawyernetwork.com/)

http://www.deslawyernetwork.com/images/DES%20_hl.gif

DES (diethylstilbestrol) is a synthetic estrogen drug that was given to millions of pregnant women primarily from 1938-1971. Use of DES during pregnancy was thought to prevent miscarriage and ensure a healthy pregnancy. DES did not work, and women who took DES and the children they carried are at risk for certain health problems and may need special care.

There may be no obvious signs of DES exposure. If you were born between 1938 and 1971, ask your mother (or other relatives who might know her pregnancy history) if she took any medications during her pregnancy, or if she had any problems such as bleeding, miscarriage, premature birth, or diabetes. Find out if you or your mother can get her medical records to see if she took DES.

If you have been exposed to DES it is important to seek medical attention quickly. Not all doctors are familar with treating DES patients,for a list of Physicians familar with DES side effects call 1-800-DES-9288. The attorneys at Parker and Waichman can evaluate your DES case for free to see if you are eligible for compensation. Click below for a free, risk free case evaluation.

Side Effects and Risks of DES Diethylstilbestrol

DES Daughters: DES daughters (women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them) have a risk of about 1 in 1,000 for a rare cancer of the vagina or cervix called clear cell adenocarcinoma. This cancer is practically non-existent in non-exposed women in this age group. Because of this risk DES daughters need a special exam at least once a year. DES Daughters also have an increased risk for infertility. Infertility treatments for DES daughters are, in general, not different from those for other women. DES Daughters have a higher risk for ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and preterm labor and delivery. Most DES daughters can become pregnant and carry their babies to term. However, because of the above risks, all DES daughters require high risk obstetric care and early confirmation of pregnancy.

DES Sons: Some DES sons do face an increased risk for problems with their genital organs. These range from harmless irregularities to problems which may require medical treatment. Many people, including some doctors, do not know that men can be affected by DES exposure before birth. Possible health problems include epididymal cysts which are the most common abnormality in DES sons. The epididymis is a structure on the back of each testicle where sperm are stored. Epididymal cysts are non-cancerous growths that feel like small lumps. They may disappear and recur over time. They do not need to be treated unless they are painful. However, report all lumps to your doctor and perform testicular self-exams on a monthly basis.

DES sons can also suffer testicular problems including both small testicles and undescended testicles. Both of these abnormalities are visible at birth. Men with undescended testicles have an increased chance of developing testicular cancer. DES sons can also have an abnormally small penis known medically as microphallus.

Some studies have indicated that testicular varicoceles occur more often in DES sons than in other men. A varicocele is an irregularly swollen or varicose vein on the testicle. This enlarged vein produces a higher temperature than is normal for testicles, and can lower the number of normal sperm as a result.

DES sons can also have Hypospadias and Meatal stenosis. Hypospadias is a condition where the opening of the penis is located on the under-surface of the penis rather than at the end. Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the opening of the penis.

Women who took DES: These women have a somewhat higher risk for breast cancer. They should pay particular attention to their breast care: practice monthly breast self-exam, have annual clinical breast exams and mammography.Before taking any estrogen for menopause symptoms, women who took DES should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctors. Taking estrogen may add to the risk of cancer.

In another search I found this:

DES Action USA (http://www.desaction.org/index.htm)

The mission of DES Action USA is to identify, educate, provide support to, and advocate for DES exposed people, and to educate health care professionals. We offer information and resources for DES-exposed mothers (http://www.desaction.org/mothers.htm), daughters (http://www.desaction.org/daughters.htm), and sons (http://www.desaction.org/sons.htm) who may need special health care. Find out more (http://www.desaction.org/what.htm) and how DES Action can help you (http://www.desaction.org/services.htm).

sarahthompson99 (imported) wrote: Mon May 23, 2005 6:19 pm Just wondered if anyone else has had issues with having been exposed to DES as a baby and having testicular cysts, auto immune diisease disorders as well as gender dysphoria issues?.

I forget the title to the book (~2002), but Olive Skene Johnson, a Vancouver psychiatrist, has done some research and written on the subject.

I've also doscussed it personally with her and believe that I was exposed (b. 1943). I suffered extensively from testicular problems, including incomplete formation of the cords linking the testes to the abdomen. The resulting problems contributed to my decision to be castrated ~5 years ago. I finally accepted an urologist's advice that I consider the procedure, although I definitely wasn't ready to accept it when it was first offered at age 23. My mum wasn't explicit on what drugs she took, but once acknowledged that she was prescribed such chemicals during her pregnancy for me. While none of us like to think that such a simple decision, especially such a well-intentone one by both doctor and patient, caused us a lot o' problems later in life, it may have been so.