From the Research
No, DES (diethylstilbestrol) is not related to herpes. DES was a synthetic estrogen medication prescribed to pregnant women between the 1940s and 1970s to prevent miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. It was later discovered that DES exposure in utero caused reproductive abnormalities and increased cancer risks in the children of women who took it. Herpes, on the other hand, is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that typically causes sores around the mouth (HSV-1) or genitals (HSV-2) as described in a recent review of genital herpes 1. These are completely different medical entities with no causal relationship between them. DES is a medication with known harmful effects that is no longer prescribed during pregnancy, while herpes is a common viral infection that requires different treatment approaches, typically with antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir. The most recent evidence on antiviral therapy for herpes, including the use of helicase-primase inhibitors, does not mention any relationship between DES and herpes 2. Key points to consider in the management of herpes include:
- The use of suppressive antiviral therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence 3
- The importance of safe sex practices to prevent transmission 1
- The availability of effective antiviral medications for treatment 4, 5 Overall, the management of herpes requires a comprehensive approach that includes education, prevention, and treatment, but there is no evidence to suggest a link between DES and herpes.