What it means
A synthetic estrogen (DES) prescribed to millions of pregnant people from the 1940s to 1971, when it was found to harm babies exposed before birth. Daughters exposed in the womb ("DES daughters") have a higher risk of a rare vaginal and cervical cancer (clear cell adenocarcinoma), differences in the shape of the reproductive organs, and pregnancy problems. It was later used only rarely, for prostate and breast cancer.
For the nurse
When taking a health history, ask older clients whether their mother took DES in pregnancy: exposed daughters need regular gynecologic exams.
At a glance
| Drug class | synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen |
|---|---|
| Abbreviations | DES |
| Spanish | dietilestilbestrol |
| Also written | Honvol |