4. Discuss the experiences of women with DES.
DES, standing for diethylstilbestrol, was an estrogen-based medication used for prophylaxis of premature labor, miscarriages, and abortions that was marketed in the mid-20th century. Additionally, DES was used to regulate menopause, suppress lactating after pregnancy, as a “Plan B” pill, and for acne and height regulation in young girls. The
DES Daughters were the women who were exposed to the drug before being born when it was on market, between 1938 and 1971, for expecting mothers. Studies have shown that these women have an increased risk of cancer, specifically clear-cell adenocarcinomas, in their reproductive organs, including the vagina, cervix, and breasts.
One of the personal stories told in …show more content…
She discussed her plans for having children and being on birth control for times when they wanted to avoid pregnancy, thinking nothing was wrong. After being off of the contraceptive, she started having unusual and painful symptoms. At that time, they must not have had the medical equipment to search for tumors non-invasively, so Esther had to undergo surgery just so the surgeon could figure out what was going on inside her body that was causing all of these symptoms. In the end, he had to remove her vagina, uterus, right ovary, right fallopian tube, bladder, and urethra. I can’t even imagine the pain and suffering Esther went through both physically and mentally after this procedure. Esther talked about how devastating this news was, and how “hysterical” she was when she found out what had to be done. But in retrospect her outlook was positive and she talked about how the doctor truly did save her life. Bell explains that
Ester was an “uniformed patient” because no one discussed the connection between DES and the medical problems she faced.
Esther’s story just goes to show how both gender and sex can affect how one experiences health, illness, and the health care system. Because Esther was a woman that
DES, standing for diethylstilbestrol, was an estrogen-based medication used for prophylaxis of premature labor, miscarriages, and abortions that was marketed in the mid-20th century. Additionally, DES was used to regulate menopause, suppress lactating after pregnancy, as a “Plan B” pill, and for acne and height regulation in young girls. The
DES Daughters were the women who were exposed to the drug before being born when it was on market, between 1938 and 1971, for expecting mothers. Studies have shown that these women have an increased risk of cancer, specifically clear-cell adenocarcinomas, in their reproductive organs, including the vagina, cervix, and breasts.
One of the personal stories told in …show more content…
She discussed her plans for having children and being on birth control for times when they wanted to avoid pregnancy, thinking nothing was wrong. After being off of the contraceptive, she started having unusual and painful symptoms. At that time, they must not have had the medical equipment to search for tumors non-invasively, so Esther had to undergo surgery just so the surgeon could figure out what was going on inside her body that was causing all of these symptoms. In the end, he had to remove her vagina, uterus, right ovary, right fallopian tube, bladder, and urethra. I can’t even imagine the pain and suffering Esther went through both physically and mentally after this procedure. Esther talked about how devastating this news was, and how “hysterical” she was when she found out what had to be done. But in retrospect her outlook was positive and she talked about how the doctor truly did save her life. Bell explains that
Ester was an “uniformed patient” because no one discussed the connection between DES and the medical problems she faced.
Esther’s story just goes to show how both gender and sex can affect how one experiences health, illness, and the health care system. Because Esther was a woman that