DES was prescribed to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage. DES exposure proved to be detrimental to the unborn child. DES offspring may have infertility problems related to abnormalities of the vagina, cervix, tubes or uterus. DES daughters still have a good chance at becoming pregnant, but have an increased risk of tubal pregnancy, and because of weaker cervical muscles, they have an increased risk of preterm labor due to a weak cervix. The symptoms will vary according to the abnormality in the reproductive system.
Tubal pregnancy is a serious and painful condition that requires immediate medical attention.
When the fertilized egg implants and starts to grow in the fallopian tube, there is risk of rupturing the tube. Treatment DES daughters may need assistance in becoming pregnant, and once achieving pregnancy, they need to be monitored closely. The Dalkon Shield was a specific brand of IUD that impaired fertility in many women. Some professionals believe other brands of IUD's may also cause fertility problems. Besides the risk of infection, there is a small risk of the IUD puncturing the uterine wall, resulting in scarring and infertility.