Infertility in women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero. 1983

A F Haney, and M G Hammond

To evaluate the reproductive consequences of prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, 33 infertile couples were studied in whom the female had been exposed to DES in utero. Infertility was attributed to uterotubal junction obstruction in 3 couples, anovulation in 7, endometriosis in 11, cervical obstruction in 2, adnexal adhesions in 2, oligospermia in 1 and luteal insufficiency in 3; in 4 couples no cause of infertility could be identified. No unique intraabdominal abnormalities attributable to DES exposure were observed. Four tubal pregnancies occurred in women with grossly normal oviducts. Nine of 11 women who had previously undergone surgical manipulation of the cervix (cryosurgery, cautery or conization) developed cervical stenosis, and 8 of them were found to have endometriosis. Despite our not having an appropriate referral infertility population for comparison, these findings are consistent with the following hypotheses regarding women prenatally exposed to DES: (1) surgical manipulation of the cervix more frequently leads to cervical stenosis and ultimately pelvic endometriosis, (2) tubal pregnancies may occur by a mechanism unrelated to salpingitis, and (3) the spectrum of problems causing infertility is similar to that in the non-DES-exposed population.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007047 Hysterosalpingography Radiography of the uterus and fallopian tubes after the injection of a contrast medium. Salpingography,Hysterosalpingographies,Salpingographies
D007247 Infertility, Female Diminished or absent ability of a female to achieve conception. Sterility, Female,Sterility, Postpartum,Sub-Fertility, Female,Subfertility, Female,Female Infertility,Female Sterility,Female Sub-Fertility,Female Subfertility,Postpartum Sterility,Sub Fertility, Female
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011271 Pregnancy, Ectopic A potentially life-threatening condition in which EMBRYO IMPLANTATION occurs outside the cavity of the UTERUS. Most ectopic pregnancies (>96%) occur in the FALLOPIAN TUBES, known as TUBAL PREGNANCY. They can be in other locations, such as UTERINE CERVIX; OVARY; and abdominal cavity (PREGNANCY, ABDOMINAL). Ectopic Pregnancy,Pregnancy, Extrauterine,Ectopic Pregnancies,Extrauterine Pregnancies,Extrauterine Pregnancy,Pregnancies, Ectopic,Pregnancies, Extrauterine
D011297 Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH. Delayed Effects, Prenatal Exposure,Late Effects, Prenatal Exposure
D004054 Diethylstilbestrol A synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen used in the treatment of menopausal and postmenopausal disorders. It was also used formerly as a growth promoter in animals. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), diethylstilbestrol has been listed as a known carcinogen. (Merck, 11th ed) Stilbestrol,Agostilben,Apstil,Diethylstilbestrol, (Z)-Isomer,Diethylstilbestrol, Disodium Salt,Distilbène,Stilbene Estrogen,Tampovagan,Estrogen, Stilbene
D004715 Endometriosis A condition in which functional endometrial tissue is present outside the UTERUS. It is often confined to the PELVIS involving the OVARY, the ligaments, cul-de-sac, and the uterovesical peritoneum. Endometrioma,Endometriomas,Endometrioses
D005184 Fallopian Tube Diseases Diseases involving the FALLOPIAN TUBES including neoplasms (FALLOPIAN TUBE NEOPLASMS); SALPINGITIS; tubo-ovarian abscess; and blockage. Tubal Obstruction,Disease, Fallopian Tube,Diseases, Fallopian Tube,Fallopian Tube Disease,Obstruction, Tubal,Obstructions, Tubal,Tubal Obstructions
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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