Pseudocyesis

Abstract

27 pseudocyetic patients, the largest group yet, were studied by clinical, endocrine, gynecological, and psychiatric methods. A psychic factor was demonstrated and pestulated to be the etiologic factor initiating body changes directly and also indirectly through the endocrine system. By acting upon the anterior pituitary through the hypothalmus, luteotrophin is released. This, plus the presence of normal or increased estrogen levels, causes the persistence of luteinization of the ovaries. The resulting progesterone production along with the estrogens suppress the production of follicle-stimulating hormone. Informing the woman of the true diagnosis, psychiatric history-taking, testosterone injn., and curettage were ineffective. Superficial psychotherapy often produced a complete reversal but occasionally other therapies were combined to give objective "proof" of a nongravid state. The psychologic mechanisms were discussed but no specific susceptible personality type could be delineated.