What is it called when a woman pretends to be pregnant?

September 29, 2025 •

3 min read

While extremely rare, a phenomenon where a woman believes and exhibits symptoms of pregnancy without being pregnant has been documented for centuries. Knowing the difference between this condition, called pseudocyesis, and other motivations is crucial for proper understanding and support.

Quick Summary

The medical term for a woman who genuinely believes she is pregnant and develops physical signs without a fetus is pseudocyesis, also known as phantom or false pregnancy. This is distinct from a factitious disorder, where a person knowingly deceives others about a pregnancy for attention.

Key Points

Pseudocyesis: The clinical term for a woman who genuinely believes she is pregnant and develops physical symptoms, even though she is not.
Not a Deception: In pseudocyesis, the individual is not intentionally deceiving others. The belief and resulting symptoms are a real, involuntary psychosomatic experience.
Physical Symptoms: These can include a swollen abdomen, missed periods, breast changes, nausea, weight gain, and a sensation of fetal movement.
Differentiating Conditions: Pseudocyesis is distinct from factitious disorder (intentional deception for attention) and delusional pregnancy (a false belief without physical signs).
Underlying Causes: Psychological factors such as infertility, past trauma, or an intense desire or fear of pregnancy are thought to trigger hormonal changes that lead to the symptoms.
Empathetic Support: Management involves confirming the absence of pregnancy with medical tests and then providing compassionate psychological counseling to address the underlying emotional distress.

Pseudocyesis: The Psychological and Physiological Phenomenon

Pseudocyesis, also known as false or phantom pregnancy, is a rare condition where an individual genuinely believes they are pregnant and develops physical and emotional pregnancy symptoms despite not carrying a fetus. It is considered a psychosomatic condition where psychological factors trigger hormonal and physical changes. This differs from intentional deception and was more commonly reported before the availability of modern pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.

Symptoms of Pseudocyesis

The physical signs of pseudocyesis can mimic those of a real pregnancy and may last for various durations, sometimes even nine months. Common symptoms include abdominal swelling (often due to gas or muscle contractions), missed or irregular menstrual periods, breast changes (tenderness, enlargement, or milk production), nausea and vomiting, perceived fetal movement, and weight gain. Some individuals may even experience what they believe are labor pains.

Underlying Psychological and Hormonal Causes

While not fully understood, pseudocyesis is thought to result from a complex interplay of psychological, hormonal, and social factors. Intense desire or fear of pregnancy, often linked to infertility or loss, can contribute. This can impact the brain's hypothalamus, leading to hormonal imbalances that cause pregnancy-like symptoms. Emotional trauma, stress, and societal pressures regarding fertility may also play a role.

Distinguishing Pseudocyesis from Other Conditions

It is important to differentiate pseudocyesis from other conditions, primarily based on the individual's awareness of not being pregnant.

Pseudocyesis vs. Factitious Disorder

The key difference lies in the intention behind the deception. Pseudocyesis involves a genuine, subconscious belief in pregnancy with real physical symptoms triggered by psychological distress. Factitious disorder, on the other hand, is a conscious act of fabricating symptoms or claims of pregnancy for attention or other gains, with full awareness of not being pregnant.


Aspect	Pseudocyesis (False Pregnancy)	Factitious Disorder (Munchausen Syndrome)
Core Belief	Genuinely believes in pregnancy with physical symptoms.	Knows they are not pregnant and fabricates symptoms.
Motivation	Subconscious psychological distress or desire.	Conscious desire for attention or care.
Physical Symptoms	Real, involuntary physiological responses.	Fabricated or self-inflicted.
Emotional State	Distress and grief upon discovering the truth.	May manipulate to maintain the narrative.

Pseudocyesis vs. Delusion of Pregnancy

A delusion of pregnancy is a fixed false belief of being pregnant, often part of a psychotic disorder, but it does not involve the physical symptoms characteristic of pseudocyesis. In pseudocyesis, the physical symptoms are central, while in delusional pregnancy, they are absent.

Diagnosis and Management

Diagnosing pseudocyesis involves medical evaluation to rule out actual pregnancy and other conditions. This includes pelvic exams, negative pregnancy hormone tests (blood and urine), and an ultrasound confirming no fetus. Revealing the diagnosis requires empathy, as it can be emotionally difficult for the individual.

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying psychological and emotional issues through supportive therapy and counseling, potentially involving family. In some instances, medication like antidepressants or antipsychotics might be used for hormonal or emotional balance. Resources like the Cleveland Clinic offer further information. The aim is to help the individual accept the truth and heal from the psychological distress.

Supporting Someone with Pseudocyesis

Supporting a loved one experiencing pseudocyesis requires compassion and understanding. It's crucial to remember that their symptoms and belief feel real to them. The diagnosis can lead to feelings of grief and loss.

To offer support:

Be Compassionate: Avoid judgment and recognize their distress stems from deep emotional pain.
Encourage Professional Help: Guide them towards medical and mental health professionals, as a combined approach is often beneficial.
Validate Feelings, Not the Fantasy: Acknowledge their pain empathetically without confirming the false pregnancy.
Consider Family Therapy: Including family can create a supportive environment and address contributing dynamics.
Educate Yourself: Learning about pseudocyesis from reputable sources can foster empathy.

Conclusion

Pseudocyesis is the term for a woman who believes and exhibits symptoms of pregnancy due to an unconscious psychological and physiological state, not intentional deception. It highlights the strong connection between the mind and body. Accurate diagnosis through medical testing and compassionate treatment involving psychological counseling and support are key to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in the individual's intent. In pseudocyesis, the woman genuinely believes she is pregnant due to a psychosomatic condition. Faking a pregnancy, or a factitious disorder, involves conscious, intentional deception.

A person with pseudocyesis can experience many of the symptoms of a real pregnancy, including a swollen abdomen, missed menstrual periods, breast changes, morning sickness, weight gain, and even the feeling of fetal movement.

Yes, the physical symptoms are real and measurable, but they are not caused by a fetus. They are a physiological response to a deep-seated psychological state, causing genuine hormonal and bodily changes.

Pseudocyesis is diagnosed by a medical professional who will conduct tests, including an ultrasound, urine test, and blood test. These tests will confirm that no fetus is present and that the individual is not pregnant.

The exact cause is not fully known, but it is believed to be a complex interaction of psychological and hormonal factors. Intense desire or fear of pregnancy, infertility, emotional trauma, and hormonal imbalances are all contributing factors.

Treatment involves addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. It begins with medical tests to confirm the non-pregnant state, followed by empathetic psychological counseling and supportive therapy to address the underlying emotional issues.

Yes, a related phenomenon in men called Couvade syndrome, or sympathetic pregnancy, can occur when their partner is pregnant. They may experience similar symptoms like weight gain and morning sickness.