Every woman trying to conceive goes through that moment of: “My period is late! Could I already be pregnant?” In fact, any other symptom such as nausea, sleepiness, breast pain, and other signs are seen as an alert that the long-awaited pregnancy has arrived! However, we know that in the midst of all this, some “false alarms” can happen that are part of the trying-to-conceive journey, right? Now, have you ever heard of women who display all the symptoms of pregnancy, but in reality are not pregnant? Some even say they feel the baby move, but in fact there is no fetus growing in the uterus. We’re talking about psychological pregnancy. Yes, this condition does exist. Psychological pregnancy is very rare, and at the same time, is a very serious condition in which the woman is able to alter her own hormone levels, and for this reason, ends up simulating a pregnancy. 
What are the symptoms?
Women who experience a psychological pregnancy report feeling most or even all the symptoms of a real pregnancy. Many of the symptoms women report are due to changes in hormone levels occurring in the body, and such symptoms can include:
- Missed periods;
- breast growth;
- nausea;
- weight gain;
- frequent urination;
- sensation of the fetus moving.
But what causes a psychological pregnancy?
It is still not known for certain what can cause psychological pregnancy, but there is a consensus that several predisposing factors can lead to the development of this condition, such as:
- having a history of depression or other mental health conditions;
- having previously suffered a miscarriage;
- history of infertility and/or unsuccessful attempts;
- having experienced any sexual trauma or involvement in abusive relationships.
In general, it is the intense emotions experienced during these situations that can cause a psychological pregnancy. Oftentimes, for example, anxiety is so extreme in someone who has just experienced a miscarriage that it leads to hormonal changes and the woman begins to feel pregnancy symptoms, experiencing nausea, missed periods, breast pain, and so on. Physical conditions such as ovarian tumors, for example, can also cause a hormonal imbalance, resulting in missed periods and other symptoms.
And how is it treated?
Treatment will involve psychotherapeutic support and, it is also very important to have follow-up with a gynecologist to manage hormone levels. The fact is, psychological pregnancy is a highly distressing condition and is considered a psychosomatic condition, that is, psychological factors trigger all bodily changes. In general, women refuse to accept that they are not pregnant, even when presented with concrete proof, such as an ultrasound. For them, it is difficult to accept this reality and to deal with the feelings involved in not being pregnant. For women who go through a psychological pregnancy, it is important to have a support network that understands them and helps them come closer to reality with sensitivity and care. As mentioned earlier, psychological pregnancy is very rare, but the suffering of a woman going through it is very real.
