Effects of Contraphysiologically Administered Diethylstilbestrol on the Menstrual Cycle1

Abstract

Moderately small doses of diethylstilbestrol were used contraphysiologically in 13 52 who had normal ovarian function. Depression of corpus luteum function during therapy was indicated by bleeding from an estrogenic endometrium in 2/3 of the cycles during which the endometrium was sampled. The failure to recover Na pregnanediol glucuronide from the urine of 6 patients during therapy was taken as further evidence for depression of corpus luteum function. Marked alterations in the menstrual cycle occurred with regard to length of the cycle and to duration and amt. of bleeding. The effects of diethylstilbestrol apparently are not cumulative when it is used in therapeutic schedules comparable to those reported. No prolonged, undesirable effects were noted. Progestational endometria were encountered in all biopsies which were secured at the end of the first cycle which followed cessation of therapy. These findings do not warrant any statement regarding results that might follow the prolonged use of diethylstilbestrol in larger doses.