Which term describes a false pregnancy with a normal non-gravid uterus and a negative pregnancy test?

Which term describes a false pregnancy with a normal non-gravid uterus and a negative pregnancy test?

• A. Pseudocyesis
• B. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
• C. Subchorionic hemorrhage
• D. Corpus luteum

Answer: (A)

Pseudocyesis describes a false pregnancy where the patient feels pregnant and may have pregnancy-like symptoms, but there is no actual gestation and the pregnancy test is negative. In this scenario the uterus is non-gravid, so imaging shows no intrauterine gestation or embryo despite signs that resemble pregnancy. Hormonal and psychological factors can drive symptoms such as perceived abdominal enlargement, amenorrhea, and morning sickness, even though hCG is not elevated and no fetus is present. This is why it’s the best term for a situation with a normal, non-pregnant uterus and a negative pregnancy test. The other terms don’t fit this exact combination: gestational trophoblastic neoplasia would usually produce positive hCG and demonstrate abnormal uterine findings; a subchorionic hemorrhage is bleeding within the uterus associated with actual pregnancy and would typically occur with a positive pregnancy test; the corpus luteum is an ovarian structure related to the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy but does not describe a false pregnancy with a negative test.

Pseudocyesis describes a false pregnancy where the patient feels pregnant and may have pregnancy-like symptoms, but there is no actual gestation and the pregnancy test is negative. In this scenario the uterus is non-gravid, so imaging shows no intrauterine gestation or embryo despite signs that resemble pregnancy. Hormonal and psychological factors can drive symptoms such as perceived abdominal enlargement, amenorrhea, and morning sickness, even though hCG is not elevated and no fetus is present. This is why it’s the best term for a situation with a normal, non-pregnant uterus and a negative pregnancy test.

The other terms don’t fit this exact combination: gestational trophoblastic neoplasia would usually produce positive hCG and demonstrate abnormal uterine findings; a subchorionic hemorrhage is bleeding within the uterus associated with actual pregnancy and would typically occur with a positive pregnancy test; the corpus luteum is an ovarian structure related to the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy but does not describe a false pregnancy with a negative test.