Articles, news clippings and research on Men

Summary: In the first study of its kind in Australia, we conducted an online national survey (n-1439) of mens’ health over the pre and postpartum period of their partner’s pregnancy, in order to investigate the incidence of the Couvade Syndrome (colloquially known as “sympathetic pregnancy” ) in Australian men. The diagnostic criterion used for Couvade Syndrome was that men had to have experienced at least 8 physical or psychological symptoms.

The findings indicated an approximate incidence of 31% of Australian men afflicted with the Couvade Syndrome. This compares to 25% incidence in the UK population found by us previously. Most common symptoms were weight gain (26%), tiredness (45%), and “feeling stressed / anxious” (37%). Also of interest was the incidence of ‘abdominal distension’ (7%) which might suggest those afflicted with it experienced pseudocyesis or ‘phantom pregnancy’.

Verbatim statements from the prospective fathers (using pseudonyms to protect their identity) supported and illustrated the symptoms that were quantified by the survey.

“Definitely suffered from food cravings. I’m vegan (@ the time vegetarian) but thought about eating chicken for some bizarre reason.” John*

“i have been throwing up on alternate days to the mother of my child since the end of the first tri mester up until two weeks from the due date.” Andrew*

Definitions of The Couvade Syndrome

The Couvade syndrome is an involuntary disorder consisting of interrelated physical and psychological symptoms in the male partners ofgestational (pregnant) women (Trethowan and Conlon 1965, Klein 1991, Brennan et al 2007a; 2007b). It occurs mainly in industrialised countries around the globe. The two features, which distinguish it from other syndromes, are its time course (commences in 1st trimester, temporarily disappears in 2nd trimester and emerges again with greater severity in the 3rd Trimester) and the fact that it has no pathological basis (i.e. it is notcaused by illness or injury).

Methods

Design

This was a national on-line, exploratory survey, which investigated the physical and psychological symptoms of the male partners of gestationalwomen over the three trimesters of pregnancy and the postnatal period.

Sampling Method

A national sample of Australian men (n-1439) with gestational partners were selected for the study. Men were recruited using a non-probability,purposive sampling method (non-random sampling method which targeted a highly specific group of men i.e. those whose partners werepregnant) via a national callout on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s TV science program, Catalyst, thus enabling them to log onto a website which outlined the details of the study. The sampling method consisted of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The diagnostic criterion used for Couvade Syndrome was men who experienced 8 or more physical and/or psychological symptoms which coincided with their partner’s pregnancy’.

The sample included men with and without previous children whose age ranged from 23-98 years old. The survey participants were recruited fromall the main Australian states/provinces.

Method of Data Collection

A modified website version of the Men’s Health during Partner’s Pregnancy questionnaire developed and piloted by (Brennan et al 2004) was used to collect data over all trimesters of pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The questionnaire consisted of a total of 26 symptoms (13 physical and 13 psychological). Physical symptoms comprised stomach pains/cramps,stomach distension, vomiting, food cravings and aversions, increased and poor appetite, weight gain or loss, tiredness, toothache, back pain and, leg cramps. Psychological symptoms consisted of sleeping less or more than usual, early morning waking, feeling low in mood, mood swings, feeling annoyed, feeling frustrated, feeling irritable, feeling anxious/stressed, feeling restless, preoccupied, lack of motivation and, lack of concentration. The questionnaire measured the presence of symptoms nominally (i.e. yes or no) and their severity and distress numerically on a scale of 1-9 with 1=not at all severe/distressing and 9=extremely severe/distressing.

Main Study Findings

This was the first national study of its kind conducted in Australia. The findings indicated a national incidence of 31% of Australian men afflictedwith the Couvade syndrome. This compares to 25% incidence in the UK population found by Brennan et al (2007a; 2007b). This challenges the claims made in previous literature of the syndrome not being reported at all or being under-reported in Australia. Moreover, this finding might also indicate that Australian men are more ‘broody’ than those with pregnant partners in the UK.

One study participant indicated that a number of his symptoms occurred concurrently with his partner’s pregnancy most particularly, stomachpain/cramps, increased appetite and weight gain.

“Stomach pains were not so much pains as weird movements in my stomach that I had never felt before. I felt much hungrier and have just started to work on losing the weight I put on whilst my wife was pregnant.

… have not put on this much weight before. I have put an average of 5 kilos more on than usual.” Brad*

Among the physical symptoms of interest was that of ‘abdominal distension’ affecting 107 men (7%). This symptom is usually uncommon but might suggest that those afflicted with it experienced ‘pseudocyesis’ or ‘phantom pregnancy’. Another potentially, interrelated symptom was weight gain which affected 360 men (26%). Weight gain might also have arisen because of increased appetite or food cravings of a high calorie nature.

“Food cravings – chocolate, and I’m not a chocoholic.” Bill*

“Chocolate intake went up.” Yousef*

“craving food from my childhood – eg chiko rolls, space food sticks.” Dani*

“vomiting within 10 minutes of getting up, felt it was to do with being stressed & tired.

felt lack of motivation after he was born. felt this due to lack of sleep.” Vito*

Other highly reported physical symptoms included, ‘tiredness’ reported by 650 men (45%), ‘sleeping less than usual’ experienced by 605 men(42%) and ‘early morning waking’ indicated by 476 men (33%). While the latter three symptoms are common with the syndrome they may have arisen because of the pregnant woman’s demands and nocturnal restless as gestation progressed.

The symptoms of early morning waking and tiredness were evident in Alex’s statement,

“I had a noticeable switch in my body clock. I have always been a bit of a night owl and struggled with that toward the end of the pregnancy, waking up pretty much at 7 each morning no matter how late I went to bed. Have to adapt with a nap now if I can.” Alex*

The highest reported psychological symptom was ‘feeling stressed/anxious’ reported by 536 men (37%). This may not have been asurprising finding for first-time fathers as the new role of parenthood loomed, but curiously men who already had previous children alsoreported the symptom. One explanation for the high incidence of paternal anxiety may be its relationship with paternal attachment and the syndrome itself. Brennan (1997) in his study of 37 first-time fathers found a positive relationship between paternal anxiety and the level of the man’s involvement with his unborn child as well as, his increased susceptibility to developing the Couvade Syndrome.

Another psychological symptom of interest was ‘feeling low in mood’ experienced by 328 men (23%). This might suggest that the woman’s pregnancy affects the man’s mood state or support the incidence of antenatal depression in men.

Another highly reported symptom was ‘feeling frustrated’ indicated by 475 men (32%). A number of previous studies suggest that this emanatesfrom the prospective father’s feeling of being marginalized during the antenatal period when the woman receives all the attention mostespecially, during antenatal care.

“I think a man goes through a lot of changes during a pregnancy and for a while afterwards. This was my third child and it really struck me this time because I seemed to have similar feelings and mood swings that I have had in previous pregnancies. I noticed that feelings of anxiousness and stress we quite prevelant. I guess it is kind of a “nesting” instinct in men. “ Clement*

* Pseudonyms are used to protect identity

Dr. Arthur Brennan

Senior Lecturer (Psychology, Research Methods & Statistics)

Faculty of Health Sciences

The Sir Frank Lampl Building

Kingston Hill Campus

Kingston University & St. George’s, University of

London

Surrey KT2 7LB

References:

Brennan, A. (1997): ‘A Correlational Study of the Relationship between

Attitudes to Ultrasound, Paternal/Maternal-foetal Attachment and Anxiety

among Fist-time Mothers and Fathers’. Unpublished MSc Study,

University of Surrey.

Brennan, A., Ayers, S., Marshall-Lucette, S., Ahmed, H. (2007a): ‘A

Critical Review of the Couvade Syndrome: The Pregnant Male’. Journal of

Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 25 (3), pp.173-189.

Brennan, A., Marshall-Lucette, S., Ayers, S., Ahmed, H. (2007a): ‘A

Qualitative Exploration of the Couvade Syndrome in Expectant Fathers’.

Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 25 (1), pp.18-39.

Klein, H. (1991): ‘Couvade Syndrome: Male Counterpart to Pregnancy’.

International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 21 (1), pp.57-69.

Trethowan, W. H. and Conlon, M. F. (1965): ‘The Couvade Syndrome’.

British Journal of Psychiatry, 111, pp. 57-66.