It is not a causal or pathologically distinct entity but a generic term for chorea of any cause starting during pregnancy.

[citation needed] Several pathogenetic mechanisms for chorea gravidarum have been offered, but none have been proven.

History of either rheumatic fever or chorea is suspected:[2][3] the suggestion is that estrogens and progesterone may sensitize dopamine receptors (presumably at a striatal level) and induce chorea in individuals who are vulnerable to this complication by virtue of preexisting pathology in the basal ganglia.

[6][7] Chorea can also be a manifestation of drug toxicity (for example, anticonvulsants, antiparkinson agents, neuroleptics, steroids, and estrogen), or a result of an infectious disease such as meningovascular syphilis, Lyme disease, viral encephalitis, and many others.

[citation needed] Drug treatment is indicated for patients with severe disabling chorea.