False pregnancy
The content of the article:
- Causes
- False pregnancy symptoms
- Diagnostics
- False pregnancy treatment
- Prevention
False pregnancy is a rare and complex mental symptom complex that mimics some of the signs of pregnancy.
The phenomenon of false pregnancy is typical for many mammals. Moreover, some symptoms of false pregnancy can even be experienced by men during their wife's pregnancy (a similar condition is called "Kuvad syndrome"). Men with an infantile-hysterical type of psyche are susceptible to this state.
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Causes
The mechanism of development of the false pregnancy syndrome has not been thoroughly studied. Psychological and emotional factors are thought to trigger hormonal changes that are also seen in real pregnancies. The hormonal background of a woman is really changing, a pseudopregnant woman does not pretend pregnancy, she experiences and feels it.
Most often, symptoms of false pregnancy appear in women who have experienced the collapse of hopes for motherhood, especially in case of problems with conceiving and carrying a child. It also happens that a false pregnancy develops in women who experience panic about pregnancy and childbirth, in childless women who are afraid of menopause, as well as in those who passionately desire pregnancy. Sometimes the disease is triggered by the pregnancy of a relative or girlfriend of a woman.
The risk group for the development of a false pregnancy includes susceptible women 35-40 years old, who have been unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for many years, suffering from neuroses, manic-depressive psychosis, hysteria, having an unstable psyche, with an increased level of anxiety and excitability, having experienced emotional upheavals, the loss of a child, frozen pregnancy, premature birth, past termination of pregnancy.
False pregnancy can be caused by physical and psycho-emotional overwork, exhaustion of the body, suppressed sexuality, slowing down of the process of puberty, as well as separation from loved ones and other emotional upheavals.
Sometimes the background for the appearance of a false pregnancy in women is gynecological or endocrine diseases:
- dysfunction of the pituitary gland;
- adrenal pathology;
- hypothyroidism;
- hyperprolactinemia;
- metabolic syndrome;
- secondary amenorrhea;
- polycystic ovary syndrome;
- uterine fibroids;
- delay in urination;
- mental retardation.
False pregnancy symptoms
With a false pregnancy, women develop symptoms that correspond to the endocrine and vegetative symptoms that accompany a real pregnancy:
- violation of the menstrual cycle, cessation of menstruation;
- morning sickness, vomiting;
- feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
- an increase in the abdomen (due to the excessive development of subcutaneous tissue in the anterior abdominal wall and flatulence);
- the appearance of pigmentation around the nipples, pigmentation of the midline of the abdomen;
- discharge of colostrum from the breast;
- weight gain;
- constipation;
- typical engorgement of the mammary glands, breast tenderness;
- sensations of fetal movement (usually associated with intestinal peristalsis);
- changes in the external genital organs and cervix, softening of the tissues of the uterus;
- drowsiness;
- feeling unwell;
- mood swings, instability of behavior;
- change in eating habits;
- the appearance of lordosis (characteristic of pregnant women bending of the spine).
If, for some reason, the examination of a pseudopregnant woman has not been carried out, even manifestations of labor that mimic labor pains may occur.
Diagnostics
It is possible to diagnose a false pregnancy in women by conducting a gynecological examination, during which the absence of objective changes in the uterus is determined.
If the results of the examination are doubtful (for example, an early pregnancy is assumed), an examination is prescribed, including the following methods:
- Ultrasound of the small pelvis - is performed in order to identify the embryo in the uterus, the absence of the fetus is established;
- biological and immunological studies, determination of the level of chorionic gonadotropin (a hormone synthesized by the female body during pregnancy).
Differential diagnosis in false pregnancy is carried out with an ectopic, frozen pregnancy, tumor processes in the pelvic region, hormonal disorders.
False pregnancy treatment
Treatment of false pregnancy is aimed at eliminating the etiology of the disease.
In case of detection of diseases of the female genital area, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary. If endocrine disorders are identified, hormone therapy is performed, hormonal drugs, means to stimulate menstruation may be prescribed.
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If there is a psychological reason for the appearance of a false pregnancy (which occurs most often), consultations of a psychologist, a neurologist are shown. In mild cases, when physiological changes have not occurred, special treatment is not carried out. An explanatory conversation and psychological support are enough. After the diagnosis is established, the menstrual cycle is restored, the symptoms of toxicosis and other signs of false pregnancy disappear on their own.
If the patient cannot be persuaded with rational arguments, the help of a psychotherapist is needed. Treatment involves treatment of the underlying mental disorder that led to the development of a false pregnancy.
Often, patients with serious mental disorders, upon learning that the pregnancy is false, become depressed or suicidal. At this stage, it is very important to provide psychotherapeutic assistance, which can be accompanied by drug support. Herbal sedatives are prescribed, and, if necessary, antidepressants. Physiotherapy shows a good result: electrophoresis of bromine, vitamin B1. In some cases, the therapeutic effect can be achieved by resorting to therapeutic hypnosis.
Prevention
False pregnancy prevention is about maintaining mental and physical health. Women who have experienced stress due to the loss of pregnancy or a child, as well as due to infertility, need psychological support from loved ones, and if this is not enough, a specialist. The following measures will help prevent the development of false pregnancy:
- timely diagnosis and treatment of hormonal disorders;
- consultations with a psychotherapist, psychologist, if necessary;
- elimination of heavy physical and psycho-emotional stress;
- maintaining a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition, adherence to work and rest, adequate physical activity, etc.).
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
