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Psychological pregnancy, also called pseudocyesis, is an emotional problem that occurs when symptoms of pregnancy are present, but there is no fetus developing in the woman's uterus, which can be confirmed in pregnancy tests and ultrasound.
This problem mainly affects women who wish to become pregnant or those who are very afraid of becoming pregnant, as it happens during adolescence, for example.
The treatment for psychological pregnancy can be done with the use of hormonal medications to regularize menstruation, but it is also essential to monitor a psychologist or psychiatrist to eliminate the causes that led to the development of this problem.
Pregnancy symptoms, but no fetus.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of psychological pregnancy are the same as normal pregnancy, although there is no baby being formed, such as:
- Motion sickness;
- Somnolence;
- Food cravings;
- Absence or delay of menstruation;
- Belly and breast growth;
- Sensation of feeling the fetus move;
- Breast milk production.
It is not yet known for certain why these symptoms appear in cases of psychological pregnancy, however, it is possible that psychological stimuli generate an increase in the production of some pregnancy hormones, which results in symptoms equal to those of a true pregnancy.
How to confirm if it is psychological pregnancy
If the woman has a psychological pregnancy, the pregnancy tests, both urine and Beta HCG blood tests, will always give a negative result, which can also be confirmed by ultrasound, which will show that there is no fetus developing in the uterus. in the woman.
Still, it is always important that the woman is evaluated by a gynecologist and a psychologist, to confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.
Find out the best days to take the pregnancy test.
Main causes of psychological pregnancy
The specific causes for psychological pregnancy are not yet known, however it seems to be related to the following factors:
- Intense desire to get pregnant and difficulty getting pregnant;
- Fear of becoming pregnant;
- Depression and low self-esteem.
In addition, in some cases, the existence of marital problems also seems to be related to the development of a psychological pregnancy, since the woman may believe that this is the only solution to save the marriage.
How to deal with psychological pregnancy
The main strategies for dealing with psychological pregnancy include:
1. Therapy with the psychologist
In some cases, negative pregnancy test results are not enough to convince the woman that she is not pregnant, and it is necessary to start therapy sessions with a psychologist. In these therapy sessions, the psychologist besides discovering the reason behind the psychological pregnancy, will help the woman to deal better with the situation, helping her to overcome the problem.
In some cases, the woman may even be deeply disgusted, sad and disillusioned by the absence of pregnancy, which can lead to constant sadness and depression, in which case it is necessary to follow up with a psychiatrist.
2. Control anxiety and desire to get pregnant
Anxiety is one of the reasons that often leads to the emergence of a psychological pregnancy and in most cases it is caused by the intense desire to become pregnant or by the very pressure caused by the family or society.
So, the important thing is to keep anxiety under control using, if possible, natural remedies such as passion fruit tea, valerian, rosemary, chamomile or catnip, which are medicinal plants with calming and relaxing properties.
Watch the video to see other great tips from nutritionist Tatiana that will help to end stress and anxiety:
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In addition, in the most severe cases it may even be necessary to have medical treatment with a psychiatrist, where medications to control anxiety such as Diazepam, Alprazolam or Lorazepam for example can be prescribed. Know that home and pharmacy remedies can treat anxiety in Anxiety Remedies.
3. Treat infertility and early menopause
Women who suffer from infertility or who enter menopause early may have a psychological pregnancy if they want to become pregnant and feel that their time is running out. In these cases, the best solution is to consult the gynecologist immediately when you think you are not getting pregnant, so that the best treatment can be recommended.
In most cases of infertility or early menopause, treatment involves hormone replacement with hormone therapy.
4. Solve marital problems
Sometimes, the presence of marital problems or the history of relationships that ended in abandonment or separation leads to constant fears and insecurities, which can end up causing a psychological pregnancy.
In these situations, it is very important to resolve all marital problems and try not to see the past as an example. In addition, pregnancy should never be seen as a way to sustain a relationship, as this type of thinking will bring anxiety, insecurity and low self-esteem.
In addition, in more severe cases it may be necessary to have tests to find out if there are hormonal problems, and it may be necessary to initiate hormone therapy that must be indicated and monitored by the gynecologist.