Diethylstilbestrol (DES) has been historically used in various medical applications, primarily as a synthetic estrogen. It was widely prescribed to pregnant women from the 1940s to the 1970s to prevent miscarriages and other pregnancy complications, though this use was later discontinued due to severe health risks to both mothers and their offspring, including an increased risk of certain cancers. In veterinary medicine, DES has been utilized to promote growth in livestock and to manage reproductive issues in animals, though its use in food-producing animals has been banned in many countries due to concerns about residual effects in humans. Additionally, DES has been employed in the treatment of certain hormone-dependent cancers, such as prostate cancer, by suppressing testosterone production. However, due to its significant side effects and the availability of safer alternatives, its medical use has significantly declined.