Which drug is associated with an increased risk of vaginal cancer in offspring?

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women in the mid-20th century to prevent complications during pregnancy, such as miscarriage and premature labor. However, research has since revealed that exposure to DES in utero is associated with a specific increased risk of vaginal and cervical cancers in the daughters of women who received this medication.

The mechanism is believed to involve the hormone's ability to alter the normal development of the reproductive tract in female fetuses, leading to anomalies that can predispose them to malignancies. This has been well documented through studies that followed women exposed to DES, greatly influencing approaches to prenatal care and signaling the importance of careful medication use during pregnancy.

In contrast, while estrogen, progestins, and Clomid (clomiphene citrate) have their own sets of risks and side effects, they are not specifically associated with an increased risk of vaginal cancer in offspring like DES is. This distinguishing feature of DES highlights the critical need for careful evaluation of medications during pregnancy, considering their long-term effects on the developing fetus.