Used primarily in the past as a synthetic estrogen, the compound has been applied in medical treatments related to hormonal imbalances. It was prescribed to manage symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal atrophy, due to its estrogenic activity. It was also used in the treatment of certain types of prostate cancer in men, where suppressing testosterone activity helped slow tumor growth. Additionally, it was historically administered to prevent miscarriages and premature births, although this use was later discontinued when it was found ineffective and linked to serious health risks in offspring. In veterinary medicine, it has been used to treat estrogen deficiency in animals, particularly in dogs with urinary incontinence. Its use in humans has been largely phased out due to associations with increased risks of cancer, especially clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix in women exposed in utero.