---
title: Does exposure to DES before birth affect period symptoms in adult women?
description: Mostly no. Women exposed to DES in the womb reported similar period symptoms to unexposed women. The only possible difference was slightly more water retentio
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-functioning-in-women-with-a-history-of-prenatal-1991/
---

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- Does exposure to DES before birth affect period symptoms in adult women?

Study, 1991

# Does exposure to DES before birth affect period symptoms in adult women?

Mostly no. Women exposed to DES in the womb reported similar period symptoms to unexposed women. The only possible difference was slightly more water retention symptoms in the exposed group.

 Moderate study design

60 women exposed to DES before birth, 30 women with abnormal cervical smears, 30 unexposed control women, and 20 unexposed sisters

## What they did

Researchers compared 60 women exposed to DES before birth with three groups: 30 women with abnormal cervical smears, 30 women with no DES exposure, and 20 unexposed sisters. All completed a questionnaire about period symptoms including age at first period, cycle length, pain, and mood and physical changes.

## What they found

The groups did not differ in age at first period, average cycle length, period pain, or absence of periods. DES exposure had little effect on mood, behaviour, or physical symptoms that change with the period. The only possible difference was slightly higher water retention symptoms in the DES-exposed group.

## What it means for you

Prenatal DES exposure does not appear to worsen period symptoms in adult women. This is reassuring for women concerned about this exposure. The main limits are women had to remember their symptoms from long ago which may not be accurate, and the water retention finding may not be a real difference.

60

DES-exposed women studied

30

unexposed control women

## About the study

Original title Menstrual cycle functioning in women with a history of prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure Authors D. Schechter, Anke Α. Ehrhardt, J. Endicott et al. Journal Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology Year 1991 Study design Study Participants 30 What was tested None (comparison of past exposure) Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/01674829109077990](https://doi.org/10.3109/01674829109077990)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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