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International Journal of Gynaecology... 1979In the African population, pseudocyesis is not an uncommon gynecologic disorder. The high premium on childbearing, as well as the deep-rooted cultural belief that...
In the African population, pseudocyesis is not an uncommon gynecologic disorder. The high premium on childbearing, as well as the deep-rooted cultural belief that children are a "security of old age" and continuation of the family, exposes the infertile woman to constant stress. The social and psychological satisfaction of parenthood is very important in this culture; while, for some patients, perception of the economic implication of children enhances the desire to have children.
Topics: Adult; Culture; Female; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Infertility, Female; Magic; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Pseudopregnancy; Stress, Psychological; Superstitions
PubMed: 35415
DOI: 10.1002/j.1879-3479.1979.tb00480.x -
International Journal of Psychiatry in... 1990Pseudocyesis is a rare condition in which a woman believes herself to be pregnant when she is not. Its incidence has fallen in the last fifty years, probably due to a... (Review)
Review
Pseudocyesis is a rare condition in which a woman believes herself to be pregnant when she is not. Its incidence has fallen in the last fifty years, probably due to a number of sociocultural and medical factors. Six cases are described which show common features of recent pregnancy loss or infertility, psychological and medical naivete, social isolation, recent loss and membership in a cultural or religious group that focuses on childbearing as the central role of women. Etiology includes psychological, sociocultural and endocrine factors which interact with each other demonstrating the reciprocal interplay between mind and body. Guidelines are provided for the assessment and management of this ancient and fascinating condition.
Topics: Adjustment Disorders; Adult; Denial, Psychological; Female; Grief; Humans; Pseudopregnancy; Referral and Consultation; Religion and Psychology
PubMed: 2197244
DOI: 10.2190/XBTE-XBKX-3HKA-8W89 -
British Medical Journal Jul 1955
Topics: Delusions; Female; Humans; Medical Records; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 14389739
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.4933.245 -
South African Medical Journal =... May 1980Endometriosis is a fascinating disease--it is common and occurs with increasing frequency. The aetiology remains obscure, but Sampson's theory of retrograde menstruation... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis is a fascinating disease--it is common and occurs with increasing frequency. The aetiology remains obscure, but Sampson's theory of retrograde menstruation and implantation is still the most popular and widely accepted. Certain factors play an important role in, predispose to, or stimulate the development of endometriosis. Although the disease can be cured by the menopause, or hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oöphorectomy, permanent cure by conservative means is difficult. Better and more effective ways of treatment will solve only part of the problem, and the real solution is prevention of the disease.
Topics: Animals; Black People; Endometriosis; Female; Haplorhini; Humans; Menopause; Pregnancy; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 6773154
DOI: No ID Found -
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) Mar 2012
Topics: Diagnostic Errors; Female; History, 16th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Pregnancy; Pseudopregnancy; Textbooks as Topic
PubMed: 22369609
DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2011.00521.x -
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and... Sep 1994The couvade syndrome can be considered to be the psychosomatic equivalent of primitive rituals of initiation into paternity. Various symptoms have been described in the...
The couvade syndrome can be considered to be the psychosomatic equivalent of primitive rituals of initiation into paternity. Various symptoms have been described in the husbands of pregnant women with an incidence from 11% to 65%. The most common of these are: variations in appetite, nausea, insomnia and weight gain. Seventy-three couples with the women in the last month of pregnancy were given a questionnaire; as a reference group, 73 men without pregnant wives or children under 1 year of age were taken. An emotional involvement connected with pregnancy was reported in 91.78% of the men. This involvement was expressed as changes in sexual habits in 87.67% of cases, fear and anxiety in 36.98% and curiosity in 47.94%. With the exception of nausea, physical symptoms were less frequent in the men with pregnant wives than in those without pregnant wives. These data cannot confirm the existence of the couvade syndrome with its own physical symptoms but we think that some male experiences, which constitute a peculiar imaginary and behavioral reality of the father-to-be, do exist.
Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Fathers; Female; Humans; Male; Pseudopregnancy; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Syndrome
PubMed: 8000469
DOI: 10.3109/01674829409025637 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Feb 1982
Topics: Androstenediols; Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Estrone; Female; Galactorrhea; Megestrol; Methandriol; Pregnancy; Pseudopregnancy; Risk; Testosterone
PubMed: 6980516
DOI: 10.1016/s0195-5616(82)50009-5 -
Psychosomatic Medicine 1946
Topics: Delusions; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 20984313
DOI: 10.1097/00006842-194605000-00003 -
The Pharos of Alpha Omega Alpha-Honor... 1999
Review
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Child; Culture; Female; History, 16th Century; History, 19th Century; History, Ancient; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pseudopregnancy; Psychological Theory; Psychophysiology
PubMed: 10414130
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Obstetrics and... Aug 2009Pseudocyesis is uncommon and probably under reported among the African population.
CONTEXT
Pseudocyesis is uncommon and probably under reported among the African population.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To document the incidence and presentation of false pregnancies in a Nigerian rural population.
METHODS
This involved a review of prospectively collected data on all patients who were diagnosed with pseudocyesis over a four-year period in a Mission hospital.
RESULTS
Pseudocyesis occurred at a frequency of 1 in 344 pregnancies. The mean age was 33.6 years and the condition was found more commonly among poorly educated women. Amenorrhea was common among the subjects and 54% claimed they felt fetal movement. Ultrasound studies confirmed the absence of pregnancies in all cases. Management included counseling and referral to specialist clinical psychologists.
CONCLUSION
Pseudocyesis is more common among the African population than in developed countries. Gynaecologists in these regions should have a high index of suspicion to diagnose this and assess the mental status of the subject and the precipitating factors.
Topics: Counseling; Female; Humans; Incidence; Nigeria; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 19751324
DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2008.00997.x