A phantom pregnancy, also known as false pregnancy, pseudocyesis or virtual pregnancy, is a mental disorder that particularly affects young women who are afraid of becoming pregnant and women who strongly desire to become pregnant.
A woman with a phantom pregnancy not only is she convinced that she is pregnant, but she also has symptoms (absence of menstruation, nausea, vomiting, etc.) despite the absence of an embryo or fetus.
The causes of a phantom pregnancy are multiple. The treatment is largely psychological.
The medical term “pseudocyesis” means “false conception” in Greek. phantom pregnancy is defined by the belief that one is pregnant, while doctors assure the woman that this is not the case.
To help you understand more about the phantom pregnancy, we prepared today's article on the subject. Want to know more? So follow along now!
Phony pregnancy: what are the symptoms?
Absence of menstruation, nausea, sore breasts… the first signs are identical to those observed during a normal pregnancy.
Women who have a phantom pregnancy gain weight (especially in the stomach), have vomiting, increased or lost appetite, stomach or back pain, swollen legs…
Despite all these symptoms that suggest that a woman is pregnant, the pregnancy test continues to be negative. So why do these symptoms appear? It is the hormones that play a determining role in the onset of a pregnancy. phantom pregnancy.
The menstrual cycle is in fact regulated by hormones that are normally produced under the influence of the hypothalamus.
Under the effect of significant stress, the hormones essential for the proper functioning of the cycle are no longer secreted.
This is what causes a stoppage or absence of menstruation. These hormonal disturbances also cause nausea and stomach pain, the main symptoms of pregnancy.
Why do women think they are pregnant?
Different feelings can be the cause of a phantom pregnancy. Fear and desire to have a baby can trigger this. Even though each story is different:
When a woman has a strong desire to have a child, she may, for example, force nature unconsciously and then observe different symptoms of pregnancy. She will feel as if she is actually pregnant.
Others also develop a phantom pregnancy, but for another reason. This time, it is the fear of getting pregnant that is at the origin of this “imaginary pregnancy”.
Symptoms will appear under the influence of nervousness and anxiety. This concerns girls, young women and older women. With contraception, however, this phantom pregnancy has practically disappeared.
Desire and fear can sometimes mix. In fact, despite the desire to have a child, women fear the different stages of pregnancy. phantom pregnancy allows her to face her fears, but without the baby.
This can also happen in mature women who have a decline in fertility and are approaching menopause.
They feel the need to awaken their femininity and give birth one last time. However, despite this desire, they do not feel capable of starting over.
The inability to grieve motherhood or the psychological work around it can cause symptoms to appear.
There is another possibility: a woman who has several health problems, such as hormonal disorders or ovarian dysfunction, may, for example, sometimes experience pregnancy symptoms.
She will feel as though she is pregnant. If these symptoms occur, it is necessary, in all cases, to consult a doctor to identify their origin.
How to detect a phantom pregnancy?
Diagnose a phantom pregnancy It's quick, because you just need to take a pregnancy test. If the pregnancy is false, the test will be negative. Sometimes the pregnancy test is positive even though there is no embryo in the uterus.
In fact, the strong influence of the mind on hypothalamic hormones can distort the results and give a positive result.
If in doubt, make an appointment with your gynecologist to undergo a medical examination: he or she can perform an ultrasound to confirm whether or not you have a phantom pregnancy.
What treatments for a phantom pregnancy?
As the phantom pregnancy It is a psychological disorder, there is no specific treatment to cure it. If detected, psychological support may be necessary.
A great deal of suffering and depression can actually result from this thinking if the person is not taken care of. Furthermore, he or she may relive the same event later on.
Other problems (family problems, behavioral problems…) may also be related to phantom pregnancy.
Therefore, it is essential to accompany the woman who is not pregnant and help her to admit this reality. At first, the doctor will make her aware of her condition, showing her that she is not pregnant. If he considers it necessary, he will refer her to a psychologist.
This will help you identify the reasons for your “fictitious” pregnancy. It seems that pregnancy symptoms gradually and naturally disappear once awareness occurs. Finally, support from family members is essential in the case of a false pregnancy.
Phony pregnancy in men
A phantom pregnancy It is often mentioned in women, but men can also experience classic pregnancy symptoms: significant weight gain, especially in the belly, nausea, vomiting, sudden cravings for food, increased or lost appetite, mood swings, swollen legs or back pain.
These symptoms usually appear during the first trimester of your partner's pregnancy. They may subside between the fourth and sixth month before becoming even more pronounced towards the end of the pregnancy. After the birth, they disappear.
But what can trigger these symptoms? These symptoms often have a psychological origin: the future father may not feel capable of taking on a child, he may not feel ready, or he may be afraid of being left out.
