Information for women exposed in utero to diethylstilboestrol (DES) and their children

Diethylstilboestrol, or DES (also known as stilboestrol), is a synthetic oestrogen which was used between 1940 and the early 1970s to prevent miscarriage in women with a previous poor pregnancy outcome.

In the early 1970s, cases of a rare form of vaginal adenocarcinoma (clear cell adenocarcinoma) were reported in young women exposed to DES in utero ("DES daughters")¹.

Studies have also suggested increased risks of premature birth, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and early menopause in DES daughters, and a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in women who took DES during pregnancy (“DES mothers”)².

Women with a history of exposure to DES (mothers and daughters) are encouraged to speak to their GP for advice specific to their situation. National cervical and breast screening guidelines also contain information for women exposed to DES.

More information on DES is available on the Cancer Australia website: www.canceraustralia.gov.au.

References

1. Herbst AL, Ulfelder H, Poskanzer DC. Adenocarcinoma of the vagina - Association of maternal stilboestrol therapy with tumour appearance in young women. N Engl J Med 1971; 284: 878.
2. Hoover RN, Hyer M, Pfeiffer RM, et al. Adverse health outcomes in women exposed in utero to diethylstilboestrol. N Engl J Med. 2011 Oct 6;365(14):1304-14.