Groin Hernia—Adult
En Español (Spanish Version)
A groin hernia is an external bulge in the groin area that contains fat, connective tissue, and/or a portion of intestine. There are two main types:
- Inguinal hernia—occurs when there is a weak spot in the area where the abdomen meets the thigh on both sides (most common type)
- Femoral hernia—occurs less frequently, located in the upper thigh
A groin hernia that pushes through the abdominal wall can trap a section of intestine. This can lead to an emergency where the intestine is blocked or strangled.
Inguinal Hernias
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Anything that causes weakness or tears in the abdominal wall can cause a groin hernia, including:
- Defects at birth
- Prolonged wear and tear (eg, lifting, straining, or coughing)
- Age-related weakness of the abdominal wall
- History of previous surgery in the area
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
- Advancing age
- Sex: male (Groin hernias are about 10 times more common in men. Femoral hernias are more common in women.)
- Vigorous physical activity such as occurs in sports like football and rugby
-
Increased pressure within the abdominal cavity due to:
- Lifting heavy objects
- Straining to urinate or pass stools
- Severe or prolonged coughing
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
Symptoms include:
- A bulge in the groin area when standing or straining
- Pain in the groin area when straining
- A bulge that may extend into the scrotum in men
- Pain, a heavy feeling, or discomfort in the groin (Sometimes there is no pain.)
More serious symptoms may need emergency care:
- Severe pain in the groin or abdomen
- Fever
- Rapid heart beat
- Abdominal swelling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. In some cases, you may have a CT scan or ultrasound.
Most inguinal hernias require surgery. If it is a small hernia that can be pushed back into place, an external pad (called a truss) may be worn to provide support. Surgery is usually still needed at some point.
After surgery
, hernias sometimes return, either on the same side or the opposite side. Hernia repair can cause pain and disrupt your quality of life, but these complications are rare.
Surgeries include:
- Herniorrhaphy
—to repair the defect in the abdominal wall
- Hernioplasty—to reinforce the weak area with steel mesh or wire
- Bowel resection
—to remove a section of the intestine, may be used when part of the intestine becomes twisted or blocked or turns gangrenous and dies
- Laparoscopic
hernia repair—done through several tiny incisions in the groin or abdomen, recovery may be faster
The following strategies may help to prevent a groin hernia:
-
If you are overweight,
lose weight
.
- Exercise regularly
to keep abdominal muscles strong.
- Warm up before exercising to avoid straining your muscles.
-
Learn to
lift properly
. Ask for help with heavy weights.
- Wear a protective belt when lifting heavy weights or moving heavy objects.
- Early management of groin pain in athletes may reduce the risk of a hernia forming.
-
Eat more
fiber
to prevent
constipation
.
- Stop smoking
, especially if you have a chronic cough.
-
Talk to your doctor if you:
- Strain when passing stools or urine
- Cough or sneeze a lot
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Canadian Institute for Health Information
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Hawn MT, Itani KM, Giobbie-Hurder A, McCarthy M Jr, Jonasson O, Neumayer LA. Patient-reported outcomes after inguinal herniorrhaphy.
Surgery
. 2006;140:198-205.
Laurence I, Ngan-Soo E, Gandhi S. The role of multi-detector computed tomography in imaging hernias.
Br J Hosp Med (Lond)
. 2011;72(2):72-77.
Last Reviewed September 2011