False pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of false pregnancy
False pregnancy — such a specific psychophysical condition in women, when they really feel, both physically and psychologically, that they are pregnant, while, in reality, they are not.
No menstruation, growing belly, breast swelling and even phantom movements of the fetus in the womb — all these can be signs of false pregnancy, which is also called phantom or hysterical pregnancy, or pseudocyesis. False pregnancy has similar symptoms to real pregnancy. Today, modern equipment helps recognize false pregnancy rather quickly.
How does false pregnancy manifest itself? What are the reasons for its development?
False pregnancy in women: fact or fiction?
Doctors are still puzzled over the phenomenon of false pregnancy in women. This phenomenon has not been fully studied. False pregnancy in women is extremely rare, but it is characterized by fairly complex mental disorders.
While false pregnancy, all the signs are the same as in real pregnancy. They are:
- absence of menstrual cycle,
- hormonal dysfunction,
- nausea,
- morning sickness,
- growth of the abdomen.
Today, modern equipment allows us to quickly identify false pregnancy, in contrast to former times, when women with no pregnancy were sometimes admitted to hospital with contractions. Imagine their feelings!
Nulliparous women under 35 are most likely to have symptoms of false pregnancy, but it sometimes occurs in adult women who already have children.
Causes of false pregnancy
As a rule, imaginary pregnancy is caused by mental disorders. At first, a woman thinks that she is pregnant. Then she gets used to this role, and both her behavior and physiological state change. Therefore, the reasons are mainly psychological. Phantom pregnancy can occur to women after 35, who strongly desire to have a baby, and to young ladies, who are terribly afraid of getting pregnant.
Secondary amenorrhea can also lead to false pregnancy. Secondary amenorrhea is absence of menstruation for 6 months or longer. Suppressed sexuality, exhaustion, physical fatigue and stress are among possible reasons of false pregnancy.
Symptoms of false pregnancy
False pregnancy symptoms are very, very similar to the symptoms of real pregnancy. For an inexperienced woman it’s easy to confuse them. Your gynecologist can quickly dispel all illusions of your possible state.
The most typical symptoms of false pregnancy in women:
- small secretions during the menstrual cycle or its complete absence
- breasts swilling, morning nausea and even vomiting;
- Increasing weight and growing belly, curvature of spine;
- in rare cases, a woman with a false pregnancy feels fetal movement;
- fast changing mood;
- false pregnancy is often confirmed by a pregnancy test.
Despite the fact, that a false pregnancy is more of a mental disorder, do not forget about the physical component. You need to visit your gynecologist to identify the cause of the phenomenon of imaginary pregnancy together and start treatment. Women in this condition often do not believe that there is no pregnancy, that’s why they should also consult a psychotherapist.
