False pregnancy (or pseudocyesis, from the Greek pseudes "false" and kyesis "pregnancy")[1] is the appearance of clinical or subclinical signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy although the individual is not physically carrying a fetus.[2] The mistaken impression that one is pregnant includes signs and symptoms such as tender breasts with secretions, abdominal growth, delayed menstrual periods, and subjective feelings of a moving fetus.[2] Examination, ultrasound, and pregnancy tests can be used to rule out false pregnancy.[1]
False pregnancy has a prominent psychiatric component as well as physical manifestations of pregnancy.[2] It can be caused by trauma (either physical or mental), a chemical imbalance of hormones,[2][3] and some medical conditions.[1] Contributing psychological factors include a strong desire for pregnancy or misinterpretation of objective bodily sensations.[2][3] Although rare,[1] men can experience false pregnancy symptoms,[2] called Couvade syndrome or "sympathetic pregnancy", which can occur when their significant other is pregnant and dealing with pregnancy symptoms.[3] Psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy with antidepressants or antipsychotics, hormonal therapy, and uterine curettage are sometimes needed as treatment.[1]
While extremely rare in the United States because of the frequent use of medical imaging, in developing regions such as India and sub-Saharan Africa, the incidence of false pregnancy is higher.[2][3] Rural areas see more instances of false pregnancy because such women are less often examined by a health care professional or midwife during the duration of believed pregnancy.[2]
^ abcdeCite error: The named reference Azizi2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abcdefghCite error: The named reference Tarin2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abcdCite error: The named reference Seeman2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Falsepregnancy (or pseudocyesis, from the Greek pseudes "false" and kyesis "pregnancy") is the appearance of clinical or subclinical signs and symptoms...
special form of falsepregnancy (pseudocyesis), or delusion of pregnancy, in which a person who has no medical verification of pregnancy believes that they...
on many home pregnancy tests if read after the suggested 3–5 minute window or reaction time, independent of an actual pregnancy. False positives may...
were a reaction to the hCG. The pregnancy tests were inevitably false positives because the tests determined pregnancy by the presence of hCG. During Jacobson's...
support this, he therefore wonders if it was a case of pseudocyesis, a falsepregnancy, caused by the stress that Anne was under – the pressure to provide...
likely a falsepregnancy, perhaps induced by Mary's overwhelming desire to have a child. In August, soon after the disgrace of the falsepregnancy, which...
Couvade syndrome Cryptic pregnancyFalsepregnancy Simulated pregnancyPregnancy-related anxiety "What are some common signs of pregnancy?". Eunice Kennedy Shriver...
testing. A false positive error, or false positive, is a result that indicates a given condition exists when it does not. For example, a pregnancy test which...
A simulated pregnancy is a deliberate attempt to create the impression of pregnancy. It should not be confused with falsepregnancy, where a person mistakenly...
disliked Anne's constant irritability and violent temper. After a falsepregnancy or miscarriage in 1534, he saw her failure to give him a son as a betrayal...
as practice contractions or false labor, are sporadic uterine contractions that may start around six weeks into a pregnancy. However, they are usually...
support this, he therefore wonders if it was a case of pseudocyesis, a falsepregnancy, caused by the stress that Anne was under – the pressure to provide...
Ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus. Signs and symptoms classically include abdominal pain...
the signs and symptoms of pregnancy are exhibited, with the exception of the presence of a fetus, creating a falsepregnancy. The corpus luteum (the remains...
earliest recorded use of the term was in 1565, referring to a human falsepregnancy. The term came to also refer to any monstrous or grotesque thing. Shakespeare...
Schuester (Matthew Morrison). Her storylines have seen her experience a falsepregnancy, attempt to adopt the baby of pregnant glee club member Quinn Fabray...
Disorder Questionnaire's sensitivity at 100% (0% false negatives) and specificity at 92.5% (7.5% false positives). BDD is also comorbid with eating disorders...
PMID 38302530. Pereira C. "Heat in Pet Dogs & Cats, Estrus Cycle & FalsePregnancy – DawgieBowl". Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved...
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