From 1938-1971 the drug, Diethylstilbestrol (DES), was prescribed to perhaps 5 million women around the globe, who were at risk of miscarriages.
I, myself, took it twice in the early '60s. One full-term, son, with every appearance of being a healthy boy.
DES, a synthetic non-sterodal estrogen compound, was never patented and was sold under many names. It is now used to treat incontinence in dogs and cats.
As years went by, the daughters of women who had taken DES were found to have cellular and structural abnormalities in the vagina, cervix, uterus and Fallopian tubes. Sons could also have abnormalities of the reproductive tract, undescended testicles and benign cysts. (source: DES Action 1986)
Young women, 18 or 20 years old, had breast cancer more often than the general population, and breast cancer is an increased risk for the mothers who took the drug.
But it is the immune system that has sparked my curiosity. Because, my son was diagnosed at 16 months of age with a serious defect - hypogammaglobinemia. I may be wrong on the last four letters spelling - might have been enia.
He had the same disease as "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble," only to a lesser degree.
Thankfully, we could touch our son and hold him and keep him well for periods of time - but this boy went through more bouts of illness than 10 kids put together.
With injections of gammaglobulin every 4 weeks, he survived.
Searching Google, I'm finding a little on the subject of male DES men as they enter middle-age. They are not, as had been reported, as at risk of testicular cancer as previously thought. However, they are at risk of severe depression and anxiety attacks.
Supposedly, and I rather think this may be true, these men should be treated by an expert in the field of DES sons. But, try to find one.
If any freepers know anything on this subject, I'll be forever grateful for whatever information you can give us.
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