The story of DES began in 1938, when British physician and chemist Charles Dodds and his team of scientists synthesized DES from a coal-tar derivative. DES, the first synthetic oral form of estrogen, mimicked the effect of natural estrogen. There was enormous excitement around unlocking the secret of hormones, and DES was considered a
great discovery…
Key dates about DES supposed effectiveness
- 1947 Diethylstilbestrol in the prevention and treatment of complications of pregnancy (Smith study promoting DES usage).
- 1952 Diethylstilbestrol tested on pregnant women without their consent (ethical issues of including those women in clinical studies).
- 1953 Effect of stilbestrol on pregnancy compared to the effect of a placebo (DES proven as ineffective).
- 1954 The importance of controls in a clinical experiment; stilbestrol therapy in pregnancy (DES studies bias, missing controls).
- 1971 Diethylstilbestrol Contraindicated in Pregnancy (selected Item from the FDA Drug Bulletin—November 1971).
- 2003 Oestrogen supplementation, mainly diethylstilbestrol, for preventing miscarriages and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (Cochrane systematic review).
More DES DiEthylStilbestrol Resources
- DES studies on cancers and screening.
- DES studies on epigenetics and transgenerational effects.
- DES studies on fertility and pregnancy.
- DES studies on gender identity and psychological health.
- DES studies on in-utero exposure to DES and side-effects.
- DES studies on the genital tract.
- Papers on DES lawsuits.
- DES videos and posts tagged DES, the DES-exposed, DES victims.