Inguinal Hernia – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Groin Hernias
A groin hernia happens when tissue from inside your abdomen pushes through a weak area in your abdominal muscles. This creates a bulge that might hurt when you cough, bend over, or lift something heavy.
Many people with groin hernias don’t feel any pain at all. Groin hernias typically form along the inguinal canal, which is a passage that carries the spermatic cord in men.
While not immediately dangerous, these hernias won’t get better on their own. If left untreated, they can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.
Doctors usually recommend surgery for groin hernias that cause pain or grow larger. This type of surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed today.
Treatment Options
For groin hernia care, several approaches are available:
- Surgical repair – Can be performed as open surgery or laparoscopically.
- Supportive devices – Trusses can temporarily hold the hernia in place.
- Pain management – Medications to control discomfort before surgery.
Your doctor will assess your condition, overall health, and hernia size to recommend the best option for you.
Warning Signs
Child Warning Signs
Inguinal hernias in babies and kids come from weak spots in the belly wall present since birth. In babies, you might only see the bulge when they cry, cough, or strain during a bowel movement. They may seem fussy and eat less than normal.
For older children, the bulge is usually more visible when they:
- Cough
- Strain while using the bathroom
- Stand for a long time
Danger Signals
When you can’t push a hernia back in, its contents may get trapped in the abdominal wall. This is called an incarcerated hernia.
If blood flow gets cut off to the trapped tissue, it becomes a strangulated hernia, which can be life-threatening without treatment.
Watch for these warning signs of a strangulated hernia:
| Sign | Description |
|---|---|
| Pain | Sudden pain that gets worse quickly |
| Digestive issues | Feeling sick or throwing up |
| Fever | Higher than normal body temperature |
| Color change | The bulge turns red, purple, or dark |
| Bowel problems | Unable to pass gas or have bowel movements |
Most inguinal hernias cause a bulge on either side of the pubic bone. This bulge becomes more noticeable when standing, coughing, or straining. You might feel:
- Burning or aching at the bulge
- Pain in your groin when bending, coughing, or lifting
- A heavy feeling in your groin
- Weakness or pressure in the area
- Sometimes pain and swelling around the testicles occur when the intestine moves into the scrotum
When to see a doctor
Get emergency care if you notice that a hernia bulge has changed color to red, purple, or dark red, as this may indicate a serious problem.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you find a painful or visible bulge in your groin near your pubic bone. The bulge will typically be more noticeable when you stand up. You can usually feel it by placing your hand directly over the area.
Remember to seek prompt medical attention for any new or worsening symptoms related to a hernia, as early treatment can prevent complications.
Causes
Inguinal hernias can develop without any clear reason. However, several factors may lead to their formation:
- Pressure increases in the abdomen
- Weak spots in the abdominal wall
- Straining during toilet use
- Heavy physical activity
- Pregnancy
- Persistent coughing or sneezing
Many inguinal hernias result from weakness in the abdominal wall that forms before birth. This happens when the muscle wall doesn’t close properly during development.
Other hernias appear later in life when muscles become weaker due to aging, physical strain, or smoking-related coughing.
Abdominal wall weaknesses can also develop after injuries or surgery in the abdominal area. For men, the weak area typically occurs in the inguinal canal where the spermatic cord travels to the scrotum.
Women can develop hernias where the uterine ligament goes through the inguinal canal or where uterine connective tissue connects to the pubic bone.
Risk Factors
Several factors increase your chance of developing an inguinal hernia:
Gender and Demographics
- Men face 8 times higher risk than women
- Risk increases with age due to muscle weakening
- White individuals have higher occurrence rates
- Family history plays a significant role
Health Conditions
- Long-term coughing (often from smoking)
- Chronic constipation that causes straining
- Pregnancy weakens abdominal muscles and increases internal pressure
Birth Factors
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight at delivery
Having a previous inguinal hernia or repair surgery also raises your risk of developing another one, even if your first hernia happened during childhood.
Complications
Inguinal hernias often cause problems if left untreated. These issues can range from mild discomfort to serious medical emergencies.
Tissue Pressure Effects
- Hernias typically grow larger over time
- Men may experience painful scrotal swelling
- Surrounding tissues become compressed
Trapped Hernia (Incarceration)
When hernia contents become stuck in the abdominal wall opening, serious symptoms can develop:
- Severe pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to pass gas or stool
- Intestinal blockage
Blood Supply Loss (Strangulation)
If blood flow to a trapped intestine is cut off, tissue death can occur. This represents a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention.
Preventing Hernias
While you can’t avoid the genetic factors that make you prone to inguinal hernias, you can take steps to reduce strain on your abdomen.
- Weight management is essential. Extra pounds put pressure on abdominal muscles. So, work with a healthcare provider to find suitable exercise and dietary approaches.
- Eat fiber-rich foods. Including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet helps prevent constipation. This reduces the need to strain during bowel movements.
- Be careful with heavy objects. When lifting is necessary, bend from your knees rather than your waist to protect your abdominal muscles.
- Quit smoking. Smoking causes chronic coughing that can either trigger a hernia or worsen an existing one.
These simple lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk of developing or worsening an inguinal hernia.
