Tokophobia: Understanding the Fear of Pregnancy in Adolescents

By: Sofía Lodovichi 

Few teenagers plan a pregnancy, and for many, the possibility of getting pregnant when they become sexually active is a major concern. But what happens when this concern grows into something more—a debilitating fear? This is known as tokophobia. 

What is it? And causes 

Tokophobia can be defined as the extreme fear of pregnancy and childbirth, and it is a type of anxiety disorder. 

It can be generated by various factors as a result of previous traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse or having witnessed difficult births in family members or in the media. Moreover, the lack of adequate sexual education can generate myths and exaggerations about the pain and risks of pregnancy, fueling extreme fear. 

The social and cultural environment is also a common cause since in many societies, teenage pregnancy is seen as a social problem, which generates a strong stigma towards pregnant young women. The fear of rejection, shame, or family and school exclusion can make some teenagers develop an intense aversion to the idea of getting pregnant, with the notion that they have "ruined their lives." 

Additionally, some young women experience extreme anxiety when thinking about the medical risks of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, hemorrhages, or even maternal death. This fear can be intensified by the lack of access to quality medical care or by alarming stories heard in their surroundings. 

Tokophobia can be related to pre-existing anxiety disorders, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorders. In these cases, the fear of pregnancy can be a manifestation of more generalized anxiety. 

Symptoms: 

Tokophobia in adolescents can manifest in various ways, such as panic attacks at the thought of pregnancy, extreme avoidance of sexual relations for fear of conceiving, and obsession with contraceptive methods. This last one could bring great bodily consequences since some girls opt for emergency pills every time they have relations, even if they have used adequate protection, due to this fear that their contraceptive methods might fail.

In some cases, it can affect your emotional well-being, causing chronic stress, insomnia, and difficulties in your relationships. 

Tokophobia can influence the adolescent's decision-making, leading her to avoid romantic relationships or to develop a negative view of motherhood and reproduction in general. Moreover, if not properly addressed, the fear of pregnancy can persist into adulthood, affecting her sexual life and her ability to make informed decisions about motherhood in the future. 

Treatment: 

It is advisable to seek psychological therapy to be able to treat and overcome the irrational fear of childbirth. The European Institute of Positive Psychology advises consulting perinatal psychologists as they are specialists who can help find the origin of fears and overcome them with specific techniques. They also recommend practicing meditation to become aware of one's own body and be able to manage the emotional experience. (Domínguez, 2024) 

Additionally, if the pregnancy is ongoing and the intention is to continue with it but the fear of childbirth is severe, it would be beneficial to attend childbirth preparation classes. Since the woman has tocophobia, she can become familiar with what she will face in advance, knowing at all times how to act in the context of giving birth. (Domínguez, 2024) 

Moreover, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for tokophobia. CBT helps individuals identify and challenge irrational fears, develop coping strategies, and gradually reduce anxiety through controlled exposure to pregnancy-related thoughts. 

Conclusion: 

Tokophobia in adolescents is a real problem that can affect their emotional well-being, their interpersonal relationships, and their overall mental health. It is a fear that should not be minimized or ridiculed but rather addressed with empathy and education.

Bibliography: 

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Tokophobia: Fear of childbirth. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22711-tokophobia-fear-of-childbirth 

Medical News Today. (2023). Tokophobia: What to know about the fear of childbirth. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/tokophobia#symptoms 

O’Connell, M. A., Leahy-Warren, P., Khashan, A. S., & Kenny, L. C. (2019). Tokophobia – The new hysteria? BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 19, Article 87. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6496976/ 

Domínguez, E. (2024, March 2). Qué es la tocofobia y cómo se trata. La Vanguardia. Retrieved from 

https://www.lavanguardia.com/vivo/psicologia-salud-mental/20240302/9519984/que-t ocofobia-como-trata-pvlv.amp.html