Symptoms caused by ovarian cyst compressing the diaphragm

As ovarian cysts continue to grow and compress the diaphragm, patients may experience abdominal discomfort, difficulty breathing, lower limb edema, bladder, and other symptoms. Patients with ovarian cysts and large amounts of ascites may also experience such compression symptoms.

Abdominal discomfort

The weight of the ovarian cyst itself, as well as the influence of intestinal peristalsis and changes in body position, cause the ovarian cyst to move in the pelvic cavity, involving its pedicle and pelvic funnel ligament, so that the patient has a feeling of distension and heaviness in the lower abdomen or iliac fossa. When the cyst compresses the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite may occur.

trouble breathing

Ovarian cysts gradually increase in size and can press upward on the diaphragm, resulting in limited diaphragmatic movement. The lungs cannot fully expand when the patient inhales, causing dyspnea. Some ovarian tumor patients experience dyspnea due to unilateral or bilateral pleural effusion. Such patients often have ascites. A large amount of ascites increases abdominal pressure, elevates the diaphragm, and reduces the lung contraction space, causing dyspnea.

Lower limb edema

If an ovarian cyst is fixed in the pelvic cavity, it may compress the iliac vein, resulting in poor venous return of the lower limbs, causing edema of one or both lower limbs. When the patient has a large amount of ascites, the intra-abdominal pressure increases, affecting the venous return of the lower limbs and causing edema of the lower limbs.

Bladder and rectal compression symptoms

When an ovarian cyst compresses the bladder, it can cause symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and urinary retention; if the ovarian cyst is located in the rectouterine pouch, it can compress the rectum and cause a feeling of falling or difficulty in defecation.