DIETHYLSTILBESTROL Meaning and
Definition
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Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen, which refers to the category of drugs known as a synthetic hormone. It was initially developed in the 1930s and 1940s and was prescribed as an oral medication to pregnant women between the 1940s and early 1970s. The primary purpose of DES was to prevent miscarriages, premature labor, and complications during pregnancy.
DES was later discovered to possess carcinogenic properties and to be associated with various adverse health effects. It has been found to increase the risk of reproductive system abnormalities, fertility complications, and a higher likelihood of developing certain cancers, such as vaginal and cervical cancer, in daughters exposed to the drug during their mother's pregnancy.
The compound is typically referred to as "diethylstilbestrol" due to its chemical structure, consisting of two ethyl groups attached to stilbestrol, a type of synthetic estrogen. As an estrogen, DES mimics the effects of naturally occurring hormones in the body and can bind to estrogen receptors, affecting various biological processes and development in the reproductive system.
In modern medical practice, DES is no longer used for pregnancy-related purposes due to its known hazards and potential long-term consequences. However, its historical use and subsequent health effects have led to increased awareness about the necessity of rigorous testing and regulation of drugs before their administration to pregnant women or any widespread population.
Common Misspellings for DIETHYLSTILBESTROL
- siethylstilbestrol
- xiethylstilbestrol
- ciethylstilbestrol
- fiethylstilbestrol
- riethylstilbestrol
- eiethylstilbestrol
- duethylstilbestrol
- djethylstilbestrol
- dkethylstilbestrol
- doethylstilbestrol
- d9ethylstilbestrol
- d8ethylstilbestrol
- diwthylstilbestrol
- disthylstilbestrol
- didthylstilbestrol
- dirthylstilbestrol
- di4thylstilbestrol
- di3thylstilbestrol
- dierhylstilbestrol
Etymology of DIETHYLSTILBESTROL
The word "diethylstilbestrol" derives from its chemical structure and composition. Each part of the word represents a specific aspect of the compound:
- "Diethyl" refers to the presence of two ethyl groups (-C2H5) attached to the compound.
- "Stilbestrol" stems from the structural classification of the compound as a synthetic estrogen, similar in function to natural estrogens. The term "stilbene" signifies the parent compound's backbone structure, while "estr-" denotes its estrogenic properties.
Hence, the word "diethylstilbestrol" aptly describes the compound's chemical makeup and estrogenic nature.
Similar spelling words for DIETHYLSTILBESTROL
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