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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... May 2013This literature review on pseudocyesis or false pregnancy aims to find epidemiological, psychiatric/psychologic, gynecological and endocrine traits associated with this... (Review)
Review
This literature review on pseudocyesis or false pregnancy aims to find epidemiological, psychiatric/psychologic, gynecological and endocrine traits associated with this condition in order to propose neuroendocrine/endocrine mechanisms leading to the emergence of pseudocyetic traits. Ten women from 5 selected studies were analyzed after applying stringent criteria to discriminate between cases of true pseudocyesis (pseudocyesis vera) versus delusional, simulated or erroneous pseudocyesis. The analysis of the reviewed studies evidenced that pseudocyesis shares many endocrine traits with both polycystic ovarian syndrome and major depressive disorder, although the endocrine traits are more akin to polycystic ovarian syndrome than to major depressive disorder. Data support the notion that pseudocyetic women may have increased sympathetic nervous system activity, dysfunction of central nervous system catecholaminergic pathways and decreased steroid feedback inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Although other neuroendocrine/endocrine pathways may be involved, the neuroendocrine/endocrine mechanisms proposed in this review may lead to the development of pseudocyetic traits including hypomenorrhea or amenorrhea, galactorrhea, diurnal and/or nocturnal hyperprolactinemia, abdominal distension and apparent fetal movements and labor pains at the expected date of delivery.
Topics: Depressive Disorder, Major; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 23672289
DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-11-39 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Feb 2023Placentophagia, ingestion of placenta and amniotic fluid, usually during parturition, is a behavioral feature of nearly all nonaquatic, placental mammals, and is a nexus... (Review)
Review
Placentophagia, ingestion of placenta and amniotic fluid, usually during parturition, is a behavioral feature of nearly all nonaquatic, placental mammals, and is a nexus for several interlocking behavioral phenomena. Placentophagia has not been typical of human cultures, but in recent years, some women in affluent societies have engaged in it, thereby bringing publicity to the behavior. First, we summarized benefits of placentophagia for nonhuman mammals, which include increased attractiveness of neonates, enhanced onset of maternal behavior, suppression of pseudopregnancy, and enhancement of opioid hypoalgesia by Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF), a benefit that may extend well outside the context of parturition. The research on POEF in animals was discussed in detail. Then we discussed placentophagia (placentophagy) in humans, and whether there is validity to the claims of various benefits reported primarily in the pro-placentophagy literature, and, although human afterbirth shows POEF activity, the POEF effect has not yet been tested in humans. Finally, we discussed the general possible implications, for the management of pain and addiction, of isolating and characterizing POEF.
Topics: Animals; Infant, Newborn; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Placenta; Postpartum Period; Pain; Maternal Behavior; Mammals
PubMed: 36509207
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104992 -
British Medical Journal Mar 1973
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa; Female; Humans; Menstruation Disturbances; Neurotic Disorders; Pregnancy; Premenstrual Syndrome; Progesterone; Pseudopregnancy; Scopolamine; Stress, Psychological; Water-Electrolyte Balance
PubMed: 4735136
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal (Clinical... Sep 1985
Topics: Adult; Amenorrhea; Animals; Female; Humans; Pseudopregnancy; Rats
PubMed: 3929900
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.291.6497.687 -
The Primary Care Companion For CNS... Apr 2023
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Pseudopregnancy; Transgender Persons; Delusions; Transsexualism
PubMed: 37058715
DOI: 10.4088/PCC.22cr03343 -
Postgraduate Medical Journal Dec 1946
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 20287291
DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.22.254.395 -
Animal Frontiers : the Review Magazine... Jun 2023
PubMed: 37324213
DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad027 -
British Medical Journal Mar 1952
Topics: Delusions; Female; Humans; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 14904975
DOI: No ID Found -
Canadian Medical Association Journal Apr 1951
Topics: Delusions; Female; Humans; Pseudopregnancy
PubMed: 14812399
DOI: No ID Found -
Industrial Psychiatry Journal 2022Delusional disorders are common psychiatric disorders, but a delusion of pregnancy is a rare condition. Four cases that presented at a single tertiary care psychiatry...
Delusional disorders are common psychiatric disorders, but a delusion of pregnancy is a rare condition. Four cases that presented at a single tertiary care psychiatry center with delusion of pregnancy as a part of different psychological disorders are illustrated here. These cases were seen over a period of 6 months and had varied presentations and associated psychopathologies. Three of the four patients showed rapid recovery to treatment, but one patient was lost to follow-up. The heterogeneity in the presentation, sociodemographic profile of the patients and even in the symptom profile and response to treatment in this condition is highlighted and discussed in this case series.
PubMed: 36419711
DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_166_21