Cysts
Epididymal cysts are the most common abnormality in DES sons. The epididymis
is a structure on the back of each testicle where sperm are stored. Epididymal
cysts are non-cancerous growths that feel like small lumps. They may disappear
and recur over time. They do not need to be treated unless they are painful.
However, report all lumps to your doctor and perform testicular self-exams
on a monthly basis.
Testicular Problems
Testicular problems in some men exposed to DES include both small testicles
and undescended testicles. Both of these abnormalities are visible at birth.
Men with undescended testicles have an increased chance of developing testicular
cancer, even if their mothers didn't take DES.
Microphallus
An abnormally small penis (microphallus) occurs more often in DES sons than
in other men.
Testicular varicoceles
Some studies have indicated that testicular varicoceles occur more often
in DES sons than in other men. A varicocele is an irregularly swollen or
varicose vein on the testicle. This enlarged vein produces a higher temperature
than is normal for testicles, and - over a period of years - can lower the
number of normal sperm as a result.
Hypospadias
Hypospadias is a condition where the opening of the penis is located on
the under-surface of the penis rather than the end.
Meatal stenosis
This term refers to a narrowing of the opening of the penis.
Fertility
A 1995 study comparing a group of men exposed to DES to a group of men not
exposed to DES found that DES had no effect on fertility. The men in this
study were all born between 1950 and 1953.
The study measured the following factors as indicators of fertility: whether the men had ever impregnated a woman, age at birth of their first child, average number of children, medical diagnosis of a fertility problem, or length of time to conception in the most recent pregnancy of the female partner.
There was no semen analysis done in this study, and thus we do not know
whether DES sons have, on average, lower sperm counts. This study indicates
that DES does not seem to affect fertility in males.
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