Hysterical pregnancy, or pseudocyesis, is a condition where a person believes they are pregnant and exhibits symptoms consistent with pregnancy. It is often caused by a deep desire to have a child, and while physical symptoms are real, it is typically psychosomatic. Men can also experience a form of hysterical pregnancy known as sympathetic pregnancy. Doctors urge women to take a pregnancy test and see a healthcare professional to determine the cause of their symptoms.
Hysterical pregnancy, sometimes known as false pregnancy or pseudocyesis, is a condition in which a person, usually a woman, believes she is pregnant and experiences or exhibits symptoms consistent with pregnancy. These symptoms could include the cessation of menstruation in a woman, bloating and nausea. While these physical symptoms are real, many experts believe that hysterical pregnancy is typically psychosomatic, although some medical conditions can also mimic pregnancy symptoms. A hysterical pregnancy is not the same as a fake pregnancy, in which a woman deliberately lies about her pregnancy to gain sympathy or to manipulate others, because people with pseudocyesis sincerely believe they are pregnant, in part because they experience symptoms consistent with pregnancy.
The phenomenon of hysterical pregnancy can be caused by several things, but in many cases it could be the result of a woman’s deep desire to have a child. Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy could also have other causes, but if a woman wants to have a baby, she could assume that she is pregnant. If you don’t see a doctor right away or take a pregnancy test, you may continue to live with the assumption that you are pregnant and you may even start to show symptoms consistent with a later pregnancy. For example, you may start to gain weight in the abdominal region. Some doctors have reported that a woman experiencing a hysterical pregnancy may have an enlarged uterus or a softened cervix, both of which are typical pregnancy symptoms.
In rare cases, married men or partners of pregnant women will begin to experience a hysterical form of pregnancy known as sympathetic pregnancy. While these men are fully aware that they are not pregnant, they may experience bloating, nausea, and fatigue along with their wives or partners. After the baby is born, these symptoms disappear.
Doctors generally urge women experiencing symptoms of pregnancy to take a pregnancy test and see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If a woman is pregnant, she and her doctor can work together to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. If she’s not pregnant, she could save herself some stress about this appointment by confirming that she’s not pregnant right away. A healthcare professional may also be able to determine the cause of your pregnancy symptoms and offer appropriate treatment, if needed.
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