Regression of cervicovaginal abnormalities in DES-exposed women. a comparison of changes in sexually inactive women and the effects of the onset of sexual activity
Frank, A.R.; Krumholz, B.A.; Deutsch, S.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 30(5): 400-403
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 4009562 Document Number: 412560
Sequential colpophotographs were reviewed from a group of 1139 female progeny exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero and who were not yet sexually active on initial examination. 40 had ectopy. For 27, the normalized yearly rate of squamous metaplasia (replacement of columnar epithelium) was 28.8 +or- 3.7% (SEM). For the 18 who became sexually active, the normalized yearly rate of squamous metaplasia was 54.6 +or- 6.2%. Thus, the sexually active women demonstrated a more rapid rate of squamous metaplasia; that rate was statistically significant (T=3.8, P0.001). The cervicovaginal hood was observed to regress slowly, and no apparent effect of sexual activity was demonstrated. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was found in 3 patients. It occured only in those who became sexually active, and the incidence was significantly different from that in the group that remained sexually inactive. The development of a small cervical os was found in 2 of the sexaully active women without any local therapy.