False pregnancy False pregnancy False pregnancy, also known as phantom, hysterical pregnancy, pregnancy scares or pseudocyesis, is the appearance of clinical or subclinical signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy when the person is not actually pregnant. False pregnancy may sometimes be purely psychological. It is generally believed that false pregnancy is caused by changes in the endocrine system of the body, leading to the secretion of hormones that cause physical changes similar to those during pregnancy. Some men experience the same illnesses as a woman would experience while pregnant when their partner is pregnant (see Couvade syndrome), possibly caused by pheromones that
Simulated pregnancy a skin colored, tight bodysuit. This creates a realistic color and shape. The reasons for a person to desire a simulated pregnancy vary greatly from one individual to another. It could be an intellectual curiosity, a cosmetic effect or social experiment, an erotic or sexual experience, or part of a larger psychological issue. A simulated pregnancy may in some cases be a manifestation of factitious disorder. Simulated pregnancy A simulated pregnancy is a deliberate attempt to create the impression of pregnancy. It should not be confused with false pregnancy, where a person mistakenly believes that they are pregnant. People who