From the 1950's through the early 1970's, literally millions of women were given injections of DES (a form of estrogen now found to have health risks) throughout their pregnancies to "prevent miscarriage and produce healthier babies." There has been recent research that  says these  DES-exposed moms, as well as their daughters, now face increased cancer risks. I was one of those moms, and no doubt some of you must have been also.  I just received a letter inviting me to take part in a teleconference for women who were given DES years ago  This is being done so that  women can talk directly with doctors who have been doing the DES research.  I'm wondering whether anyone else has received this letter.  Even if you didn't and  you were exposed to DES, you should know that  you can now get more information at      http://www.desaction.org.  Just thought you'd like to know.

I should also add  that women who were given DES years ago are being advised that it may not be safe  to take hormones during menopause,  not even so-called "natural" ones, since your cancer risk could be increased.  Wish more was known about this. (I guess I'm glad now that I reacted badly to HRT and had to get by without it.)

Thanks for the site about DES Madge.  I am always interested in any info on DES.  My husband is a DES son born in 1952 weighing 2 lbs 14 oz and 10 weeks early.   He was in pure oxygen, but as my mother in law frequently reminded me was a miracle as he had none of the damage most babies in pure oxygen did.  When we had fertility problems in the 1970s, I got pregnant just as the drs were planning to do a sperm count so no one will ever know the fertility facts on those DES sons.   I'll be checking out the link on the children of DES children which I am most interested in as I have always wondered if our daughters have any increased risks.  Our youngest daughter(19) was diagnosed with PCOS altho she doesn't have cysts and many of the symptoms, but has already been told by the GYN her risk of fertility problems is high because of the PCOS.  They now know you don't have to have every symptom  to be diagnosed as PCOS.   It is good to see that info is finally coming out more and more about DES.  BTW, my mother-in-law had  3 month checkups because she had lots of cysts burned off in the drs office over the years.  So between one of her short 3 month exams, she developed a rare fast growing cervical cancer that was at stage IV already.  She had radiation, a hysterectomy, and chemo and survived that cancer.  She gave up smoking at that point.   15 years late she died of lung cancer from years of smoking.   Again thanks for the DES website.   ~Helen

Gee, I'm really sorry about your mother-in-law. How hard for her.  What is PCOS?  What type of cysts did she have removed?  I've had a cyst or two on my left ovary, but that's all. I'm trying not to worry too much about the increased risks I may be facing, but I'm now 60 and am starting to think more about  these things.  Just had a mammogram in October, and all is well so far.

Madge,      From what I have read, my mother-in-law would have been on the stronger form of DES they used at first.   My mother-in-law's cysts were on her cervix. The GYN removed them in his office with only a local numbing shot.    Because she went to the dr every 3 months they were always found at a very small size, but she seemed to have them removed at nearly every checkup.   We all feel her cancer was related to the DES, but no dr ever made that  diagnosis.   The cancer spread from the cervix to the uterus so they did radiation before surgery to avoid the risk of it spreading elsewhere.  PCOS is polycystic ovary syndrome.    It is one of those relativity common conditions that we don't hear about til we or someone we know is diagnosed with.    It is diagnosed from a list of symptoms( I found  them with a google search).  Ovarian cysts is just 1 of many possible symptoms.  My daughter does not have any ovarian cysts.   The GYN said I know your mind is on your education at 19, but  when you are ready to have children you may need hormone shots to ovulate.  Currently the treatment involves hormones. The site you posted talking about menopausal DES women not using any form of hormones certainly makes one question if granddaughters of DES women will one day be told to avoid hormone treatments.  In my opinion, keeping one's dr informed of the DES connection and keeping regular checkups is very important.   Sounds like you are doing very well and most likely will continue to do so.    ~Helen