IMPAIRED REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCE IN DES-EXPOSED WOMEN

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (1) , 25-27
Abstract
The reproductive history of 69 women with demonstrated diethylstilbestrol (DES)-related cervical-vaginal abnormalities is reviewed. All of the patients were sexually active non-contraceptive users who were studied over an 8 yr period. Patients [46] conceived, for an uncorrected fertility rate of 66.7%. Patients [14] elected therapeutic abortion. The 32 remaining patients had 62 pregnancies which resulted in 26 living children, for a success rate of 41.9%. Cervical cerclage was required for continuation of 8 of these successful pregnancies. The 36 pregnancy failures consisted of 19 1st and 11 2nd trimester spontaneous abortions, 3 3rd trimester losses due to prematurity and 3 tubal pregnancies. Uterine abnormalities were found in all of the 25 patients who underwent hysterosalpingograms. Other reproductive diseases unrelated to DES exposure in utero were also present in this select group of patients. The high rate of infertility and pregnancy wastage is probably related to the uterine structural abnormalities encountered.

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