DES used as an emergency contraception, Czechoslovakia, 1976
Abstract
37 women, 18-45 years old, were administered diethylstilbestrol (DES), 20 mg 3 times daily over the course of 5 days 24-48 hours after unprotected intercourse during the estimated time of ovulation.
Pregnancy was registered in only 1 case.
The effects of DES on the levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone were determined in 7 of these women during the entire course of a cycle.
- A decrease in the level of LH was the only abberation found in comparison with a normal control group.
- Ovulation was not suppressed by the application of DES.
- Progesterone values in the luteal phase were normal for 4 women, while 3 showed a more rapid decrease in this level, which preceded menstruation by 3-5 days.
- It was observed that after the administration of DES luteolysis did not occur in the ovulatory phase, although the ovulatory mechanism was disrupted.
Sources
- Our experience with “morning-after-pill” (author’s transl), NCBI PubMed, PMID: 975286, 1976 Aug.
- Image credit bob milton.
DES DIETHYLSTILBESTROL RESOURCES
- Source DES and pregnancy studies.
- Diethylstilbestrol DES studies listed by topics and date of publication.