Covada syndrome: male psychological pregnancy

Psychological pregnancy, or pseudocyesis, is a well-known phenomenon that consists of the belief on the part of the woman that she is pregnant, coming to present symptoms and signs of pregnancy and despite not being or not having been never.

This psychological phenomenon also occurs, but less frequently, in men. In this case, called covada syndrome, the man who accompanies her partner during the pregnancy, begins to manifest its symptoms, including some that she does not initially present. The main difference is that the man is at all times aware that he, in reality, cannot be pregnant.

• Related article: "Perinatal psychology: what is it and what functions does it perform?"

Definition of covada syndrome

Covada syndrome is also known as Couvade syndrome, an expression from the French language that refers to the act of incubation or breeding. This kind of disorder affects some men during their partner's pregnancy. Likewise, it can also present in people close to the pregnant woman or caregivers.

The syndrome consists of the appearance in men of a series of symptoms typical of pregnancy. It could be considered a kind of psychological pregnancy in a person who knows that he is going to be a father, however he is perfectly aware that he is not really pregnant.

It is common for the first manifestations of the covada syndrome to begin to appear around the third month of pregnancy, or once the date of giving birth approaches. However, these tend to subside naturally as the pregnancy progresses or, at most, once the baby is born.

Although it may seem like a strange syndrome, it occurs to a greater or lesser degree in a large number of pregnancies, and it can occur with a probability of 10% when the pregnancy is normal, or even 25% of the time if it is a risk pregnancy and at least one of the symptoms of the pregnancy appears pregnancy up to 72% of men who are going to be fathers.

Other terms by which covada syndrome is known are imitation pregnancy, empathic pregnancy or even solidarity pregnancy.

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Symptoms of covada syndrome

The covada syndrome can have as many symptoms as those that a pregnancy can have in the pregnant woman. Those that occur most commonly in men are dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

It is possible that the man will increase his weight significantly, increase sensory sensitivity or experience sudden changes in his mood or temperament.

In addition, man can feel a series of cravings, sometimes in tune with what the woman experiences; abdominal pain or dental ailments.

The list of possible symptoms may include:

• Cravings
• nausea and vomiting
• intestinal affections
• Aversion to certain smells and foods
• Stomach problems
• gases
• Constipation
• Skin changes
• Variations in weight
• Muscular weakness
• Fatigue
• Decreased blood pressure
• leg spasms
• Abdominal pain
• Inhibition of sexual desire
• Sleeping problems
• Anxiety
• depressed mood
• hyperactivity
• Dental pain
• Concentration problems
• health obsession

This long record of symptoms are perceived as real by man, even though there is actually no underlying physical cause that provokes them

In addition, none of them can be really harmful to him, it is recommended to see a doctor bedside in the event that these interfere with day to day, but should not be a cause for concern excessive.

Causes

Given that the number of men who come to resort to a medical specialist is very small, the couvada syndrome has not been widely studied. However, there are some studies belonging to different currents of psychology, which theorize about the possible causes of this.

Hormonal changes

As in the woman, man can undergo a series of hormonal changes in his body, which can cause a reaction of the aforementioned symptoms. These changes take the form of a drop in testosterone and an increase in prolactin.

• Related article: "Types of hormones and their functions in the human body"

1. Type of attachment with the father

According to some studies, men who report having developed attachments or having lived very distant or even absent relationships with his father, they experience a greater number of symptoms of covada syndrome.

2. Jealousy

According to certain psychodynamic theories, man can unconsciously feel jealous or envy of the future newborn, believing that he will occupy all the attention in the relationship. likewise, also may feel unconsciously jealous of the pregnant woman, which she considers privileged for experiencing the development of pregnancy firsthand.

3. anxiety states

Man may experience anxiety due to the usual concerns associated with the role of father, especially if it is a father as well as concerns about the economic and responsibility changes that the new stage.

These concerns taken to excess can trigger symptoms of covada syndrome.

• Related article: "The 7 types of anxiety (causes and symptoms)"

4. Excessive need to get involved

It is perfectly normal for a man to feel the desire to be involved in the entire pregnancy process. However, an excessive need, that touches the limit of the obsession to control the pregnancy, will lead, almost certainly, to a covada syndrome.

5. unplanned pregnancy

An unforeseen or planned pregnancy is likely to cause any of the manifestations of this disorder in men, for psychological reasons.

6. Very close relationship with the pregnant woman

A very close and intense connection or bond with the pregnant couple can trigger very intense empathy in the man. This empathy may also be generated by feelings of identification with the changes that occur in the woman's body or because of guilt if the pregnancy is classified as risky.

7. Stress

The covada syndrome can be explained as a secondary secondary effect of stress generated by changes in lifestyle, including diet, leisure, social relationships, etc.

How to manage these symptoms

As mentioned above, in the vast majority of cases the symptoms subside over time before the end of the pregnancy. In the most serious cases, the man is perfectly recovered after the birth of the baby.

Even so, to manage that the symptoms do not increase or interfere too much in the normal life of the man, it is recommended that he assimilates that the woman does not suffer from any condition, or any disease.

To the extent that the communication between the two is natural and fluid, and that the father be actively involved both in the pregnancy and in the later stage, the symptoms and worries will diminish until, even, they disappear.