Did your mother take Diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant with you?

I am a DES baby. I haven't suffered with depression, but I did have very painful periods. I had my left ovary removed when I was twenty nine, as it was covered with cysts which had burst. When I was forty I had my right ovary, uterus and cervix removed. I was told they were pre-cancerous and I was already going through menopause.

@cyndiefromnc, thank you for starting this discussion. Along with @sophie46, I'm tagging other members who have mentioned diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure like @wildadabeest @sondrachristo1 @marys1956 @beesmom @cahabagirl @livedinrochester @sepdvm @hopeful33250

Here are a couple of related discussions:
- DES daughter with chronic pain https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/des-daughter-with-chronic-pain/
- Has anyone been exposed to diethylstilbestrol (D.E.S) in utero? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diethylstilbestrol-d-e-s/

@cyndiefromnc

I appreciate you bringing this topic back to the forefront. Yes, I was a DES baby as well. My mother used it after two miscarriages. She had been told after her second miscarriage that she would never carry a baby to term. Well, she didn't like that idea, so she changed doctors and found one who told her about this "new drug" that would help, DES. She took this medication throughout her pregnancy, and she carried me to full term, so I suppose it worked.

I have had a rare cancer (not gynecological), though, called NETs (neuroendocrine tumors). I've had three surgeries for this. Depression, yes! My mother also had terrible depression. My mom also had a complete hysterectomy (not due to cancer) about 6 years after giving birth to me. So while my experiences are not typical of other DES babies, there are some significant problems.

In addition to the NETs, I also have hyperparathyroidism, a paralyzed vocal cord, and a neurological disorder. Doctors always tell me that I have an interesting medical history and find me "unique." I also had ovarian cysts (never needed surgery, though) and painful periods.

I look forward to hearing from others to know what their life has been like after DES exposure. Probably many of us would not have made it into the world without DES, but the probable side effects are interesting.

I am a DES Daughter and have had health problems my entire life. I lost my ovaries at 26 due to Ectopic Pregnancies. I am now a member of DES Info Association for ongoing information.

I am a DES Daughter and now dealing with spinal issues.

My mother had two miscarriages and when she started to lose me she was hospitalized. She was injected with DES each day for a week. At the age of forty she gave birth to me.

I appreciate the information about the DES Info Association, @kmfdallas. Interesting reading!

What type of spinal problems are you having, @kmfdallas?

I forgot to mention this was in England in 1945.

Spinal Stenosis of the lumbar spine, spinal arthritis and now bone marrow edema L3-4 L5-S1. In pain and need canes sometimes to walk.