The Presence of Gender Dysphoria, Transsexualism, and Disorders of Sexual Differentiation in MalesPrenatally Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol DES. by Scott P. Kerlin, Ph.D. MORE ABOUT DES: DES Sons studies : https://desdaughter.wordpress.com/tag/des-sons/ DES studies on cancer, breast cancer, CCAC, vaginal cancer, screening: https://desdaughter.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/des-diethylsilbestrol-resources-by-ncbi-1/ DES studies on fertility, gender identity, pregnancy : https://desdaughter.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/des-diethylsilbestrol-resources-by-ncbi-3/ DES studies on in-utero exposure to DES and DES side-effects : https://desdaughter.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/des-diethylsilbestrol-resources-by-ncbi-2/ DES articles on lawsuits and various studies. : https://desdaughter.wordpress.com/2014/10/11/des-diethylsilbestrol-resources-by-ncbi-4/ DES Videos : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3D4F4A11812DAE00

1. The Presence of Gender Dysphoria,
Transsexualism, and Disorders of
Sexual Differentiation in Males
Prenatally Exposed to
Diethylstilbestrol:
Initial Evidence from a 5-Year Study
Scott P. Kerlin, Ph.D.
DES Sons International Network
Kingston, Ontario, Canada

2. The Presence of Gender Dysphoria,
Transsexualism, and Disorders of
Sexual Differentiation in Males
Prenatally Exposed to
Diethylstilbestrol:
Initial Evidence from a 5-Year Study
Presented at E.Hormone 2004: The 6th
Annual
Symposium on the Environment and Hormones
Tulane/Xavier Universities, New Orleans
October 27-30, 2004
http://e.hormone.tulane.edu/eh2004.html

3. Scope of Existing Published Research
Focusing on DES Sons
• Estimated total of 1-3 million DES sons born in U.S.
(similar numbers as daughters)
• DES sons also born in Australia, Canada, and Europe
1940s-1970s
• Fewer primary studies of DES sons than DES daughters
• 1970s: first discoveries of structural & functional
abnormalities of urogenital system in some DES sons
(epididymal cysts, hypotrophic testes, cryptorchidism)
• Inconsistent findings on risks for infertility, testicular
cancer

4. Scope of Research on DES Sons
• Latest DES sons study of cancer outcomes suggested
little or no increased risk for most cancers in DES sons
(Strohsnitter, 2001)
• No identified increase in prostate cancer in DES sons so
far
• Immune system effects still under investigation
• Psychiatric effects (major depressive disorder,
psychoses, schizophrenia).
• First studies of psychosexual effects published in 1970s
(Continued)

5. DES Research Update – NCI Web Site
http://searchosp1.nci.nih.gov/whealth/DES/index.html

6. DES Research Update Conference,
1999 (NCI, NIEHS, NIH)
• Last conference held in U.S. discussing available and
needed research on human health effects of DES
exposure, July 19-20, 1999
• Recognizes inadequacy of existing research on DES sons,
“basic and clinical research on DES sons should be a top
priority in policy discussions.”
• Recommends further research on cancer and infertility
issues of DES sons
• Finding: More women than men are aware of DES and of
their possible exposure
• Finding: The full range of effects for all DES children,
especially DES sons, is unknown

7. DES Sons Web Site

8. The DES Sons International Network
Mission and History
• Organized as DES Sons Online Discussion Network in
1999 with emphasis on global outreach to DES sons
• Mission: Education, advocacy, research on DES sons’
adverse health effects, group support, monitoring
published research on DES and endocrine disruptors
• Goals: To encourage more primary research with DES
sons and to investigate unanswered questions about the
scope of impact
• Membership reach: Between 1999 and 2004, over 500
individuals with confirmed or suspected DES exposure

9. The DES Sons International Network
Scope of Outreach
• Global reach: International online outreach to locate DES
sons from Australia, Canada, Europe (especially United
Kingdom, France, Belgium), and U.S.
• Emphasis: Promote greater awareness about the
significance of DES exposure in ongoing international
research investigating effects of endocrine disruptors on
human health and behaviour
• Sources of outreach: Online and print publications
focusing on human health effects of DES;
announcements in online reproductive health networks
• Peer outreach: Network members provide further
outreach

10. DES Sons International Network
Research 1999-2004
• Purpose of study: Response to calls for further research
on DES sons, using online environment to inspire
discussions of health issues among DES sons from
around the world
• Study format: Conceptualized as an online focus group of
DES sons recruited from a variety of DES information
and reproductive health information online networks
• Research methods: Qualitative analysis using grounded
theory, online interviews, membership surveys, polls,
private discussions, threaded discussion topics
• Participant screening: Prospective members screened for
confirmation or likelihood of prenatal DES exposure

11. DES Sons International Network
Research 1999-2004
• Principal reported health concerns: endocrine
(hypogonadism); mental health (depression/anxiety);
gender identity/sexuality
• Additional reported effects (less frequent): epididymal
cysts; cryptorchidism; autoimmune disorders; infertility;
ambiguous genitalia
• Low reported cancer prevalence: five reports of history of
testicular cancer in earlier years; no other cancers
• One-quarter to one-third of members self-identify as
transsexual, transgender, or intersex
(Continued)

12. DES Sons International Network
Next Steps, 2005 and Beyond
• Continuing international outreach to expand membership
and future research participation
• Strengthening affiliations with international research
networks devoted to male reproductive health and
endocrine disruptors
• Widening public awareness about the “invisible harm”
from endocrine disruption in males
• Collaborating with Dr. Milton Diamond, University of
Hawaii, in administering follow-up survey for DES sons
focusing on gender and sexual health issues

13. Pacific Center for Sex and Society – Web Site

14. The Presence of Gender Dysphoria,
Transsexualism, and Disorders of
Sexual Differentiation in Males
Prenatally Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol:
Initial Evidence from a 5-Year Study
DES Sons International Network:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/des-sons
Contact: des-sons-owner@yahoogroups.com