STILBESTROL Meaning and
Definition
-
Stilbestrol, commonly known as diethylstilbestrol (DES), is a synthetic estrogen hormone that was widely prescribed to pregnant women between the 1940s and 1970s to prevent miscarriages and promote healthy pregnancies. It was also prescribed for various other gynecological conditions, such as menopausal symptoms and abnormal bleeding.
Derived from the plant compound, estrone, stilbestrol exhibits estrogenic effects in the body, mimicking the activity of natural estrogen hormones. It functions by binding to estrogen receptors in different tissues, leading to the regulation of gene expression and influencing cellular growth and development.
Despite its initial popularity and perceived benefits, stilbestrol's use declined significantly after studies in the 1970s revealed its association with various health risks. Researchers discovered that exposure to stilbestrol in utero could result in serious health consequences for the children of the women who took the drug during pregnancy. These effects included an increased risk of vaginal and cervical cancer, reproductive abnormalities, infertility, and hormone-related disorders. As a result, the use of stilbestrol in pregnancy was discontinued.
Today, stilbestrol is considered an obsolete drug in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Although it can still be found in trace amounts in the environment due to its widespread use in the past, efforts have been made to minimize exposure and prevent its potential adverse effects.
Common Misspellings for STILBESTROL
- atilbestrol
- ztilbestrol
- xtilbestrol
- dtilbestrol
- etilbestrol
- wtilbestrol
- srilbestrol
- sfilbestrol
- sgilbestrol
- syilbestrol
- s6ilbestrol
- s5ilbestrol
- stulbestrol
- stjlbestrol
- stklbestrol
- stolbestrol
- st9lbestrol
- st8lbestrol
- stikbestrol
Etymology of STILBESTROL
The word "stilbestrol" is derived from the combination of two terms: "stilboestrol" and "diethylstilbestrol".
"Stilboestrol" is a variant spelling of "stilbestrol", and it originates from the fusion of two Greek words: "stilbein" meaning "to gleam" or "to shine", and "oistros" meaning "gadfly" or "frenzy". It was coined by American pharmacologist Arthur E. Cohn in 1929. The term was likely chosen to emphasize the hormonal properties of the compound, as well as its impact on reproductive processes.
"Diethylstilbestrol" is a compound name that indicates its chemical structure. "Di-" refers to the addition of two ethyl groups (-C2H5) to the basic structure.
Similar spelling words for STILBESTROL
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
