What is DES?

DES, or Stilboestrol as it is better known in Ireland and the UK, is a powerful synthetic oestrogen which was given to women all over the world to prevent miscarriage even though some reports as early as1953 showed that it was not effective for this purpose. DES was sold under many brand names but it seems to have been prescribed as Stilboestrol mainly in Ireland.

DES is better known as Stilboestrol in Ireland and the UK
We do not yet know how many people in Ireland are DES-exposed but we do know that DES was prescribed by both obstetricians and GPs in pregnancy between 1949 and 1975 throughout the country. It was administered in both tablet and injection form and for varying lengths of time.

In 1971 it was discovered that DES could cause a rare form of vaginal cancer (clear cell adenocarcinoma) in young women whose mothers had been given the drug during pregnancy . About 1 in 1000 DES daughters will develop this cancer, which is curable when detected early.

More than half of DES daughters have adenosis, a type of cell tissue in the vagina of cervix which is not usually found there. Adenosis is harmless but can cause discharge.

Up to half of DES daughters will have pregnancy problems including tubal pregnancy, miscarriage and premature labour and delivery. Many DES daughters have malformations of the cervix, uterus and Fallopian tubes caused by DES and these are probably the cause of pregnancy complications. However, 80% of DES daughters do have a successful pregnancy at some stage.

Some studies have shown genital problems in DES sons.

DES mothers are at somewhat higher risk of breast cancer and should be cautious about using HRT.

Because of their cancer risk, DES daughters must have a special screening examination by a doctor trained in the techniques to detect this cancer.

Unfortunately very few records of drugs used 20 to30 years ago have been kept. Any woman whose mother was prescribed a hormone in pregnancy and cannot rule out DES as that hormone should have a check-up at the DES clinic at the National Maternity Hospital. An appointment for this clinic can be made by writing to the DES clinic at the hospital at Holles Street, Dublin 2. There is no need to be referred by your doctor to attend this clinic.

If you would like to talk to a woman who has been to the clinic and can tell you what it entails, contact DES Action (01) 6762873.