Infertility and Des Exposure
Women who were pregnant between 1938 and 1971 were commonly given diethylstilbestrol (DES) by their doctors. DES is a synthetic estrogen. Doctors used to believe that DES helped to reduce the number of miscarriages and premature births that women were experiencing. If your mother was given DES, then you may experience some infertility problems or other health complications as a result.
First, try to determine if your mother was given DES during her pregnancy with you. This may be hard to determine because it may have happened so long ago. Also, many doctors just told their patients that they were taking vitamins. The really sad part about this is that DES exposure can cause cancer and infertility in the women that took it, as well as their children. If you determine that you were exposed to DES, then you should inform your doctor or infertility specialist so that special care can be taken, especially during infertility treatment.
Being exposed to DES in utero puts women at a higher risk for pregnancy complications such as ectopic pregnancies, miscarriage or premature deliveries. This does not mean that you are incapable of becoming pregnant and carrying to term if you have been exposed to DES. Many women do become pregnant and carry to term despite their exposure. The reasons that DES has negative effects on women are not entirely clear. It is widely believed that the DES exposure affects the formation of the cervix. If this is true, then it can explain why exposed women have a higher number of miscarriages than non-exposed women.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to DES, then it is very important to work closely with your family physician or infertility specialist. Your doctor should order screenings to see if you have any of the negative health effects of DES exposure. Breast exams and mammograms should be performed regularly. Self breast exams should be performed at least monthly so that you can catch changes early. You should receive regular pelvic exams and PAP smears. Your doctor may do an extra type of PAP smear to check for clear cell adencarcinoma, believed to be caused by DES exposure.
Clear cell adencarcinoma is the type of cancer believed to be linked to DES exposure. This is a rare type of cancer that affects the vagina and cervix. Survival rates are very high for this type of cancer. The most common treatment for clear cell adencarcinoma is surgery. The surgery usually includes the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Occasionally the vagina, or parts of the vagina, must also be removed. The surrounding lymph glands may also be removed. Radiation may also be used to treat the cancer.
Work closely with a caring physician or infertility specialist that understands what you could be facing. If it is determined that you were exposed to DES, then you will need special health care as well as special pregnancy monitoring in your quest to conquer infertility.
On occasion, patients of Dr. Daiter, Eric have offered their testimonials for other couples seeking quality infertility treatment. This testimonial may help you with your decision when you are choosing a reproductive endocrinologist for your infertility treatment.
Dr. Daiter, Eric was always discussing with us where we were and what our next options were. He explained all the various treatments from mildly aggressive to very aggressive and worked with us to come up with a plan that we all felt comfortable with. I always felt like he kept me very well informed so that I could make intelligent choices. He always personally called me when ever I had some tests done, as soon as he got the results and discussed them. This was usually within a day of the tests being done. That really stood out in my mind because, with all my other doctors, when I have lab work done, it takes a good week before I hear anything from them. Even then, many times their policy is to have the office staff call only when there is a problem. You can only hope that nothing was overlooked.
I spoke to other people who were going to other Infertility Specialists in the area and they said their doctors would only discuss the test results after a whole series of tests were done. The patients expressed that the doctors made them feel rushed and uncomfortable asking a lot of questions. They also expressed that the office staff was rude and abrupt with them when they called with questions. I was very fortunate – I never felt this way with Dr. Daiter, Eric or his office staff.
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Abimelech Afflicted Photo Mugs Because he has – albeit unwittingly – lain with Sarah, Abrahams wife (he said she was his sister) Abimelech is punished with infertility by God…. |
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(Quantity 10) Pink and Blue Awareness Ribbon 1.25 MAGNETS (Pro-life, Infertility, Infant loss, Pregnancy Loss) These magnets are manufactured from the highest quality materials… made of a hard metal base, thick mylar, strong magnet and true to life vibrant colors. Put them on your refrigerator, locker, file cabinet or any metal object you can think of! Magnets are great party favors for your next gathering and also make great prizes/giveaways. They are wonderful gifts for everyone!… |
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(Quantity 25) Pink and Blue Awareness Ribbon 1.25 MAGNETS (Pro-life, Infertility, Infant loss, Pregnancy Loss) These magnets are manufactured from the highest quality materials… made of a hard metal base, thick mylar, strong magnet and true to life vibrant colors. Put them on your refrigerator, locker, file cabinet or any metal object you can think of! Magnets are great party favors for your next gathering and also make great prizes/giveaways. They are wonderful gifts for everyone!… |
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Meditations for a Fertile Soul (Improve Fertility) $22.32 Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and the 3 core concepts of Dr. Randine Lewis’ Fertility Enhancing Retreats, these guided meditations are designed to help you reclaim your natural fertility. With each cycle failure, you begin to transfer those negative results to yourself. The INFERTILE label sticks and feels as if it could be nothing but true. With that label, hope retre… |
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Imagery and Meditations to Support In-Vitro Fertilization $23.19 This Guided Imagery CD is designed to support you during your journey to pregnancy. The imagery contained within this recording is structured to complement an In Vitro Fertilization Cycle. The recording contains specific tracks for use prior to retrieval, post-transfer, and general relaxation. The imagery makes use of the body/mind connection to help augment your body’s natural abilities at eac… |
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Imagery and Meditations to support a Medicated Fertility (Improve Fertility) Infertility support $20.00 This Guided Imagery CD is designed to support you during your journey to pregnancy. The imagery contained within this recording is structured to complement a cycle while you are using any fertility enhancing medication. The recording contains specific tracks for use prior to ovulation, post ovulation, and general relaxation. The imagery makes use of the body/mind connection to help augment your … |
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In Vitro Fertilization Book Set: Making Miracles Kids Story Book + IVF telling a Child: Where? How? When? Why? If? (Assisted reproduction and infertility issues) $12.99 Use these two simple paperback books to begin opening up about in vitro fertilization conception with children. Making Miracles tells a wonderful story of a boy who assists a frog with making her babies. Later, he learns his family had assistance as well from a doctor. IVF: telling a Child is a research booklet of survey results that will give parents ideas of issues to consider before beginning t… |
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Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Embryologist Adding Sperm to Egg – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Basal Thermometer – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Basal Thermometer – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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Saint Philomena Holy Card with Relic Beautiful color picture on the front, relic cloth sealed inside, prayer printed on the back. Saint Philomena is patroness against infertility…. |
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Yoga 4 Fertility [VHS] $15.00 … |
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Frontline: Desperately Seeking Baby Hard to find PBS video for VHS. Two million American couples desperately want babies and can’t have them. They are turning to private adoption deals brokered by lawyers and counselors. Sometimes they get a new baby and a happy home; sometimes their hearts are broken. Frontline looks at a system filled with ambiguity and heartbreak…. |
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Infertility at Time of Diagnosis $0.45 Includes workbook…. |
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Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor Test Sticks, 30 Count (Packaging May Vary) $27.99 Lowest price on 30 Replacement Test Sticks (3-month Supply) for the ClearBlue (ClearPlan) Fertility Monitor. Includes 2 FREE pregnancy tests!… |
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BD DigitalThermometer … |
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FertilAid for Men: Male Fertility Supplement $28.75 FertilAid for Men is the nutritional supplement designed to improve sperm quality, sperm count, and sperm motility. It features a potent, proprietary blend of key antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals – as well as the amino-acid L-Carnitine. Formulated by fertility-specialist Amos Grunebaum, MD, these ingredients have been scientifically demonstrated to enhance male fertility and improve overall re… |
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GP Natural Vitamin E – 1 pound $11.95 A high potency feed supplement for use in the daily feed ration of dogs. A natural source of vitamin E, an antioxidant, used to prevent and treat muscular disorders, infertility and other manifestations of vitamin E deficiencies in dogs. Directions: Feed 1 teaspoon daily for each 80 pounds of body weight. A 1 teaspoon scoop is enclosed…. |
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Infertility Awareness Ribbon Round Mouse Pad $11.99 The Infertility Ribbon proudly displayed on a round mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for Infertility Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25″ x 7.75″, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Infertility Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home. It is certai… |
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Infertility Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad $9.99 The Infertility Ribbon proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Infertility Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25″ x 7.75″, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Infertility Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home…. |
About the Author: Dr. Eric Daiter (Daiter, Eric), the medical director of The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, LLC, a leading NEW JERSEY INFERTILITY CENTER that offers a complete range of MALE INFERTILITY AND FEMALE INFERTILITY TREATMENT. For more information on The NJ Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and Dr. Daiter, Eric please visit www.drericdaitermd.com.
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