False Pregnancy: Understanding Pseudocyesis, Symptoms, Causes, and Emotional Impact

• Pseudocyesis, or false pregnancy, is a rare condition where a woman believes she is pregnant and develops physical symptoms despite no actual foetus.
• Symptoms can include missed periods, abdominal enlargement, breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, and even perceived foetal movements.
• Hormonal changes can lead to weight gain and milk secretion, further reinforcing the belief of pregnancy.
• Causes are complex, often linked to intense emotional factors like infertility, miscarriages, social pressure to conceive, or profound stress.
• Diagnosis can lead to grief, embarrassment, anxiety, or depression, highlighting the need for empathetic communication and psychological support.

Why It Matters: False pregnancy is a complex condition driven by emotional and hormonal factors, requiring empathetic medical and psychological support.