An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near where your abdomen meets your thigh. It’s less common in women because this area is smaller in females.
Inguinal hernias in women can be subtle and challenging to diagnose. While this condition is much more common in men, hernias affect women and may even impact pregnancy. Recognizing the symptoms of an inguinal hernia and distinguishing them from those with other pelvic conditions is key to appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of inguinal hernias in women, what factors may put you at higher risk, and what treatment options may help.
»LEARN MORE:What to know about inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia happens when tissue bulges through a weakness in the abdominal wall or groin area.
The tissue is usually
Ovary Pain: 7 Potential Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
This condition is
Inguinal hernias may slide in and out of the weak abdominal wall area and be massaged back into place. They
Language matters
You’ll notice we use the binary terms “women” and “men” in this article. While we realize these terms may not match your gender experience, these are the terms used by the researchers whose data was cited. We try to be as specific as possible when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.
Unfortunately, the studies and surveys referenced in this article didn’t report data for or may not have had participants who are transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.
Inguinal hernias in women may present with less noticeable symptoms than in men. For example, women may or may not have a bulge in the groin at the location of the hernia. Other symptoms may include:
- pain or discomfort in the groin, especially during activity
- swelling or tenderness in the groin
- pressure or heaviness in the lower abdomen
- nausea or vomiting
Since these symptoms of various other women’s health issues, hernias may be misdiagnosed as other conditions.
Emergency symptoms
Some hernias may become strangulated, so the tissue gets stuck outside the abdominal wall. When this happens, the blood supply may be cut off, and the tissue may die.
You may experience the following symptoms with strangulation and should seek immediate medical help:
- severe pain
- fever
- increase in bulge size
- redness or discoloration around the hernia
- decrease in movement of hernia (seeming stuck)
- abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and/or vomiting
Inguinal hernias happen when a portion of tissue (intestine, fat, etc.) pushes through a weak spot in the opening of the abdominal wall or inguinal canal near the groin.
There are two types of inguinal hernia:
- Indirect inguinal hernia: Indirect inguinal hernias occur due to structural changes in the abdominal wall before birth and where the inguinal canals remain open, allowing tissue to bulge through. This type of hernia may not appear until
later in life . - Direct inguinal hernia: Direct inguinal hernias develop when tissue passes through a weak spot in the inguinal canal wall; this type impacts women and children less than men.
The most significant risk factor for developing an inguinal hernia is being male. The lifetime risk of hernia for males ranges between 27% and 42%, while the lifetime risk of hernia for females is just 3% to 5.8%.
Certain conditions
- pregnancy
- older age
- family history of hernias
- connective tissue disorders or weakness in connective tissue
- chronic cough or constipation
routinely standing or walking for extended periods
While lifting or carrying heavy objects may slightly increase the chance of developing an inguinal hernia, it’s not considered a
At your appointment, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history and then perform a physical exam.
Your doctor will closely examine your groin area and may ask you to cough, stand, or strain to feel for the hernia. Your doctor may also try to gently guide the contents of the hernia back into your abdomen.
Imaging tests used to diagnose inguinal hernias include:
- abdominal ultrasound
- computed tomography (CT) scan
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Small hernias with only mild symptoms may disappear with time and home treatment.
That said, some doctors may suggest surgery for symptom-free hernias to avoid potential complications that are
Surgical options include open surgery (with or without mesh) and minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy).
Surgery is also the treatment of choice for larger and more symptomatic hernias.
Women who are not pregnant at the time of diagnosis may elect to have surgery between pregnancies, after their last pregnancy, or otherwise in communication with their doctors. Timing matters, as pregnancy may cause previously repaired hernias to recur.
Doctors take a “watchful waiting” approach for most women with inguinal hernias diagnosed during pregnancy. If the hernia is mild, it may be treated after pregnancy. More serious hernias may be treated on a case-by-case basis. Still, researchers explain that doctors try to avoid surgical intervention during pregnancy.
Some inguinal hernias may go away on their own without treatment. Others may lead to complications like tissue becoming stuck or strangulated. Keeping up with regular appointments can help your healthcare professional watch for these complications and treat them before they become emergencies.
After surgery, a hernia is likely to return — mainly if the procedure was performed without mesh. For women, it’s essential to understand that pregnancy is a significant risk factor for hernias returning after surgery.
Make an appointment with your healthcare professional if you suspect you have an inguinal hernia or are experiencing pelvic symptoms that concern you. Hernias in women may present with different symptoms than they do in men.
Being specific about the location of your pain and the activities that make it worse can help with diagnosis. While some hernias may only require monitoring, appropriate treatment can prevent complications and improve your recovery.
