Among the multiple types of hysteria, pregnancy hysteria is best described as a false pregnancy. A person suffering from this condition will experience many of the physical symptoms of pregnancy and may be thoroughly convinced that a child has been conceived, when, in fact, the symptoms are merely a psychological or hormonal affect. This condition occurs most commonly in women, but men may also experience a similar state known as sympathetic pregnancy.
Known also as spurious pregnancy or pseudocyesis, the causes of pregnancy hysteria in some may be due to obesity, cancer or a deep desire to have a child. Other causes include hormonal influxes which trigger symptoms similar to pregnancy and can even produce false-positive pregnancy tests. Researchers have also observed false pregnancy symptoms in dogs that overproduce reproductive hormones.
Frequently, the symptoms of hysteria appear shortly after intercourse, but some who have never had intercourse experience this condition due to a lack of information about the body, intercourse and pregnancy. The symptoms of spurious pregnancy closely mimic those of a real pregnancy. Many experience missed menstrual periods, nausea, breast tenderness and fatigue. In some cases, women also experience weight gain, which further convinces one that a pregnancy has occurred.
Men who exhibit sympathetic pregnancy symptoms similar to the signs of hysteria often do so after impregnating a woman. Male symptoms also include extreme fatigue, food cravings, weight gain and nausea. Some men also experience back and body aches, which are common symptoms experienced by pregnant women.
Women experiencing pregnancy hysteria are usually thoroughly convinced that a child has been conceived, which is generally what leads to a pregnancy test. Over-the-counter tests often offer negative results, but may sometimes offer false-positive results. Positive readings are likely due to a faulty testing procedure, a faulty interpretation of results or may be due to another medical condition such as the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) produced by a tumor or cancer.
Pregnancy hysteria is diagnosed after a medical examination reveals that conception has not actually occurred. Men who experience this condition do not generally believe they are pregnant, although in extreme cases of men suffering from psychosis, this may be the case. Most men, however, experience symptoms due to sympathizing with a pregnant spouse or partner. In the absence of an underlying medical condition, pregnancy hysteria symptoms in women usually subside after an official medical diagnosis has been made.