MENSTRUAL-CYCLE FUNCTIONING IN WOMEN WITH A HISTORY OF PRENATAL DIETHYLSTILBESTROL EXPOSURE

This report concerns the possible long-term effects of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) on menstrual cycle functioning in DES-exposed females. Sixty DES-exposed women, 30 women with a history of abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear findings, 30 women with no history of DES exposure or abnormal Pap smears, and 20 non-exposed female siblings of the DES-exposed women completed the Premenstrual Assessment Form (PAF). The groups were compared in terms of age of menarche, menstrual interval, menstrual pain and the severity of menstrual cycle changes in mood, behavior and physical condition. There were no significant group differences with regard to age of menarche, average menstrual interval, incidence of oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, or incidence of dysmenorrhea. In addition, the results suggest that prenatal exposure to DES had no appreciable influence on the severity or quality of almost any type of symptom that fluctuates with the menstrual cycle, with the only exception a possible increase in the severity of symptoms associated with water retention. Overall, the results suggest that in utero exposure to DES had little influence on the menstrual cycle and associated physiological and psychological symptoms.