Ah – the joys of modern drugs! Once again we discover that in the rush to produce another drug to help overcome antoher problems, they result is even more problems.

The Drug that Keeps on Giving!

A recent AP article reported the following wonderful news about a drug used almost 50 years ago:

A drug that millions of pregnant women took decades ago to prevent miscarriage and complications has put their daughters at higher risk for breast cancer and other health problems that are showing up now, a new federal study finds.

The report goes on to say that in the end it was discovered the drug didn’t work. So they didn’t help prevent miscarriages, but gave the gift of 2nd generation infertility and cancer.

DES, or diethylstilbestrol, was widely used in the United States, Europe and elsewhere from the 1940s through the 1960s to prevent miscarriage, premature birth, bleeding and other problems. Many companies made and sold it as pills, creams and other forms.

Studies later showed it didn’t work. The government told doctors to stop using it in pregnancy in 1971, after DES daughters in their late teens and 20s were found to be at higher risk of a rare form of vaginal cancer. Further research has tied DES to infertility and various pregnancy problems.

A Drug a Day Can Keep a Baby Away!

Ladies – take care! Be very wise about what drug you put in your body anytime, but especially when you are carrying another life!

• Health
• Pregnancy