Has anyone been exposed to diethylstilbestrol (D.E.S) in utero?

My cousin is a DES daughter. She had stage 4 endometrial cancer at age 50. She nearly hemorrhaged to death because doctors insisted her heavy non-stop bleeding was premenopausal. She had a complete hysterectomy and they found nodes in her stomach cavity that were affected. She went through chemo. She had to end it a little early due to complications. But she has had no reoccurrences and its been over 10 years. The fatigue took years to recover from. But she is doing very well.

I was born in 1950 and I am a DES daughter. I had my first gynecological exam at the age of 20 and the physician noticed what he thought was a fibroid tumor at the opening of my cervix and scheduled me for a D&C. He discovered during the procedure that it wasn’t a fibroid tumor but that my uterus was significantly deformed to the point that would not support a pregnancy and he removed my uterus and cervix. He also said it had some of the characteristics of DES. After contacting my mother’s obstetrician, my parents learned that my mother was indeed given DES while pregnant with me because of a prior miscarriage. So far, I have not had a diagnosis of cancer and my 2 most recent physicians have said I no longer need to get Pap smears. I can’t help but wonder if I should. Any recommendations?

This is the DES Pamphlet Caring for the Diethylstilbestrol exposed patient published by DES Info Association

@kmfdallas

Thanks for this information. I had one gyno who was so rude - her comment to me when I mentioned my DES exposure was, "Oh I'm seeing fewer of you every year."

I reported her to the Medical Board. Never accept that kind of behavior from any provider!