There exists an exceptionally rare condition where individuals believe they are pregnant when they are not.
Typically, exhibiting symptoms of an ailment strongly suggests its presence. For instance, if you experience a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing, it likely indicates the onset of a common cold.
However, not all conditions are straightforward, as those who have experienced pseudocyesis would attest.
Pseudocyesis, also known as a phantom pregnancy, is an exceedingly rare disorder that affects approximately six in every 22,000 births in the United States, according to a 2007 review published in the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine.
But what exactly is pseudocyesis? Here, we explore the nature of this extremely rare condition and its symptoms.
The Cleveland Clinic describes this condition as one where an individual believes they are pregnant due to experiencing pregnancy symptoms and feeling as if they are carrying a child, despite not being pregnant.
Reports indicate that the majority of cases occur in individuals aged 16-39 years.
Pseudocyesis was more prevalent before the development of reliable pregnancy tests. The primary distinction between pseudocyesis and a real pregnancy is the absence of a fetus in the womb.
The symptoms of the condition closely mimic those of pregnancy, which can lead individuals to genuinely believe they are expecting.
The Cleveland Clinic provides a list of signs to be aware of:
One historical figure believed to have experienced a phantom pregnancy is Queen Mary I of England in 1555.
National Geographic reports that she was 38 years old at the time, and her supposed pregnancy occurred a year after her marriage to Philip II of Spain.
Queen Mary appeared pregnant and exhibited many symptoms associated with pregnancy, but unfortunately, the anticipated baby never arrived, as it was later discovered she had pseudocyesis.
This case is considered one of the most well-documented instances of this rare phenomenon in history.
In an article for News Medical, Dr. Liji Thomas, a medical doctor with a focus on obstetrics and gynecology, explains: “Phantom pregnancy is distinct from a delusion of pregnancy.
“The latter occurs in mentally unstable women as part of their psychotic symptoms.
“In this case, the fixed false belief that the woman is pregnant persists despite all reasoning and evidence to the contrary, and no physical changes akin to those experienced by a pregnant woman are present.”