The symptoms are similar to those of pregnancy: you don't have a period, your stomach is round and you can even feel sick in the morning.

When signs of pregnancy appear even though the baby is not growing in the womb, it is called a false pregnancy. Symptoms vary depending on the sufferer and may include breast tenderness or mood swings. How it can be and what happens in the body during a false pregnancy.

What is a false pregnancy? In a pseudopregnancy, medically called gravivitas imaginata or gravivitas nervosa, a woman notices signs of pregnancy for several weeks to months even though she is not pregnant.

Only an examination by the gynecologist shows that there is no pregnancy and that the psyche or the body has faked the signs of pregnancy.

• The period is missed.
•      The belly grows.
•      The weight increases.
•      Morning sickness may show up.
•      Some women vomit.
•      Mood swings occur.
•      Squeeze the breasts.
•      Sometimes the breasts even produce milk.
•      The back hurts.

Some women even feel movements in their abdomen and notice what they think are contractions. "How can that be?" They are confused when the doctor cannot confirm the pregnancy. Miscarriages: are they common?
 
“False pregnancies are very rare in our latitudes. In 20 years as a gynecologist I have not experienced a single case and I have not noticed a similar case in any of my colleagues." "This is also because we can use pregnancy tests and a medical examination to determine very early on whether a woman is pregnant or not, for example if she misses her period," says gynecologist Dr. Stephanie. Eder Association of Gynecologists e. V. (BVF).
 
In developing countries it is different. A woman is more likely to mistakenly believe she is pregnant for a long time. In addition to the often inadequate medical care, the cultural background also plays an important role. Psychological causes of a false pregnancy.
 
Women who suffer from a false pregnancy often suffer enormously. On the one hand because many want a child, on the other hand because their environment is waiting for a child. Therefore, the reason for a false pregnancy is often a very strong desire to become a mother. But the wish to have children has not yet come true.
 
Another possible reason could be that the woman is very afraid of pregnancy. The anxiety can become so severe that pregnancy symptoms appear. The fear of pregnancy can, for example, be based on a traumatic experience.
 
"It's possible that the emotions and stress of having children are so intense that the body can actually be psychologically influenced to show signs of pregnancy," says Eder. “Almost every woman has already experienced that emotions and pressure can influence the menstrual cycle and, for example, the period can be delayed or sometimes not at all. That can also happen in the long term.”
Signs of pregnancy due to hormonal imbalance.
 
Prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, plays an important role in the symptoms of a suspected pregnancy. Elevated prolactin levels can be the cause of missed periods, breast tenderness and even vaginal discharge (galactorrhea).
 
According to the expert, the prolactin value is often out of balance, especially under stress. Taking certain medications, such as psychotropic drugs, can also increase prolactin levels. Increased production of the female hormones estrogen and progestin can also lead to false pregnancy symptoms such as weight gain, fluid retention, appetite and mood swings.

Diseases as a cause of false pregnancy
 
In addition, some diseases can cause symptoms that raise suspicion of pregnancy. Nausea, vomiting or an enlarged abdomen can be caused by gastrointestinal diseases, benign tumors, hormone-active tumors, cancer or an ovarian cyst.
 
Ovarian cysts are also a common cause of missed periods. "An ultrasound examination can be used to determine whether the fertilized egg cell has really implanted itself in the uterus or whether the cause of the symptoms is to be found elsewhere," says Eder. False pregnancy: It helps the sick
 
Depending on the result of the examination, the treatment is intensified. If the pseudo-pregnancy is based on psychological reasons, the motives for the pseudo-pregnancy can be researched and treated as part of psychotherapy.

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• Frauenaerzte-im-netz.de: "Anzeichen einer Schwangerschaft & Schwangerschaftstest". Online-Information des Berufsverbands der Frauenärzte e. V. (BVF). (Stand: 15. März 2018)
• gesund.bund.de: "F45: Somatoforme Störungen". Online-Information des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit. (Stand: Aufgerufen am 19. Juli 2023)