An inguinal hernia is a bulging of the contents of the abdomen through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall. Inguinal hernias can occur at either of two passages through the lower abdominal wall, one on each side of the groin. These passages are called inguinal canals. Inguinal hernias can also occur through two deeper passages in the groin called the femoral canals. Hernias through these passages are also known as femoral hernias.

Inguinal hernias most often contain fat or part of the small intestine. In girls or women, inguinal hernias may contain part of the female reproductive system, such as an ovary. When an inguinal hernia occurs, part of the peritoneum—the lining of the abdominal cavity—bulges through the abdominal wall and forms a sac around the hernia.

Inguinal hernias may slide in and out of the abdominal wall. A doctor can often move an inguinal hernia back inside the abdominal wall with gentle massage.

Inguinal hernias typically develop on one side of the groin and form on the right side more often than on the left. Some people who have an inguinal hernia on one side will have or will develop a hernia on the other side.

Inguinal hernias are relatively common. Researchers estimate that about 27 percent of men and 3 percent of women will develop an inguinal hernia at some point in their lives.

Inguinal hernias are more common in certain age groups.

• Among adults, the chance of having an inguinal hernia increases with age, and inguinal hernias are most common in people ages of 75 to 80.
• Among children, inguinal hernias are most common in those between the ages of 0 and 5 years.
• Among infants, inguinal hernias are more common in premature infants.

Inguinal hernias are also more common in

• males, who are 8 to 10 times more likely than women to develop inguinal hernias
• males who have had prostatectomy
• people with a family history of inguinal hernias
• people who have a lower body mass index (BMI)
• people who have connective tissue disorders

A weak area in the muscles and connective tissue of the lower abdominal wall at the inguinal canal allows an inguinal hernia to develop. A hernia can form in different ways, causing two types of hernias.

• Indirect inguinal hernias are related to a defect in the lower abdominal wall that is present at birth. In a developing fetus, the inguinal canals have openings inside the abdomen that typically close before birth. In some cases, one or both openings remain open. Contents of the abdomen may bulge through this opening, causing a hernia. While the defect is present at birth, an indirect inguinal hernia may not occur until many years later.
• Direct inguinal hernias are related to a weak area in the inguinal canal wall that develops later in life. Contents of the abdomen may bulge out through this weak area, causing a hernia. This type of hernia primarily occurs in men. Women and children rarely develop this type of hernia.

Researchers are studying other factors that might play a role in causing inguinal hernias. These factors include

• connective tissue that is weaker than normal or connective tissue disorders
• genes that increase the risk of inguinal hernias
• health conditions that cause increased pressure inside the abdomen, such as chronic cough or chronic constipation
• regular or repeated activities that cause increased pressure inside the abdomen, such as heavy lifting and standing or walking for many hours each day at work

Symptoms of an inguinal hernia may include

• a bulge in the groin—the area between the lower abdomen and thighs
• a bulge in the scrotum in a male
• feelings of discomfort, pain, heaviness, or burning in the groin

Your symptoms may get worse when you strain, lift, cough, or stand for a long time and may get better when you rest or lie down.

Seek medical help right away

If you have symptoms of a stuck or strangulated hernia, seek medical help right away. A strangulated hernia is a life-threatening condition.

Symptoms of stuck or strangulated hernias may include

• a hernia bulge that is suddenly larger than before
• a hernia bulge that used to go back inside the abdomen but no longer does
• fever
• redness in the area of the hernia
• sudden or severe pain or tenderness in the area of the hernia
• symptoms of intestinal obstruction, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting

Inguinal hernias may become stuck, or incarcerated, meaning the contents of the hernia that bulge through the abdominal wall cannot be massaged back inside the abdominal wall.

If a hernia becomes stuck outside the abdominal wall, it may become strangulated, meaning the blood flow to the hernia is cut off. Lack of blood flow can cause the death of tissues inside the hernia.

If a hernia that contains part of the small intestine becomes stuck and strangulated, this can lead to intestinal obstruction and death of the strangulated part of the intestine.

Usually, the wall of the abdomen is strong. The muscles keep your intestine in place. But if there’s a weak spot, the intestine can push through and form a hernia. A person may be born with a weakness there, or the weakness may develop over time later in life.

“It’s like when you look at an old tire on a car and you see kind of a bulge on the sidewall of the tire. That’s because there’s a weakness in the wall of the tire. And the air is pushing the wall of the tire outward to create that bulge,” says Dr. Dana K. Andersen, an NIH hernia expert.

A hernia developing in the abdomen is extremely common. Babies, children, and adults get them. Most of the time, hernias are found in men over 40. Can lifting heavy objects give you a hernia? Maybe if you already have a weakness in the wall of your abdomen.

“The majority—three-quarters—of abdominal wall hernias are in the groin,” Andersen says. The groin region is the lower abdomen.

The first sign of a hernia is a small bulge from the lower abdomen. You may notice it only when you stand up, cough, jump, or strain. That’s because those activities increase the pressure within your abdomen. That increased pressure can make a part of your intestine pop out of an area of weakness. When you lie down, the bulge may go away.

If you think you may have a hernia, ask your doctor. A doctor can usually detect a hernia during a physical exam. Your doctor can rule out other conditions that cause bulges or lumps.

If the bulge is very soft, your doctor may be able to massage the intestine back into the abdomen. A small, soft hernia that does not cause pain may not need treatment right away. The doctor may suggest watching and waiting for changes, like pain, to develop. If a hernia is painful or large, your doctor may suggest you see a surgeon for advice. You may need surgery to repair the hernia.

If your doctor can’t massage the intestine back into the abdomen, that means it’s trapped. A trapped intestine is dangerous because its blood supply can be cut off or strangulated.“The rim of the defect is forming a sort of a noose around the abdominal contents,” Andersen explains. “If that noose is tight enough so that the loop of intestine can’t be eased back through the defect, then the concern is that the intestine itself could be injured by strangulation.”

A strangulated hernia can be very serious and even life threatening. Symptoms include severe pain that doesn’t go away, nausea, and vomiting.

Surgery is usually needed if the intestine is trapped—and emergency surgery if it’s strangulated. A hernia is one of the most common reasons for surgery in the United States. “It’s a successful and low-risk procedure done about 800,000 times a year in the United States,” Andersen says.

If you think you may have a hernia, talk with your doctor. And check out the tips how to keep a hernia from getting worse. Keep in mind that anyone with sudden pain in the groin should immediately seek medical help.

If you have a hernia, try to keep it from getting worse:

• Avoid heavy lifting when you can. Lifting puts stress on the groin.
• When you must lift, don’t bend over. Lift objects by using the legs, not the back.
• Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water. This helps prevent constipation and straining during bowel movements.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.

If an inguinal hernia causes complications, such as becoming stuck or strangulated, you will need emergency surgery to repair the hernia and treat the complications.

To diagnose an inguinal hernia, your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical exam. In some cases, doctors also order imaging tests.

During a physical exam, the doctor will examine your abdomen. The doctor may ask you to stand, cough, or strain while he or she checks for a bulge caused by the hernia. The doctor may try to gently massage the contents of the hernia back into the abdomen.

If the diagnosis is not clear after a physical exam, your doctor may order imaging tests to check for an inguinal hernia. Doctors may also use imaging tests to check for complications.

Imaging tests may include

• ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create an image of your organs
• computed tomography (CT), which uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to create images
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which takes pictures of your body’s internal organs and soft tissues without using x-rays

Most people with inguinal hernias will need surgery to repair the hernia. Several different types of open and laparoscopic hernia surgery are available. The type of surgery your doctor recommends may depend on factors such as the size of the hernia and your age, health, and medical history.

Open hernia surgery

In open hernia surgery, a surgeon makes a cut in your groin to view and repair the hernia. After repairing the hernia, surgeons typically use stitches and a piece of mesh to close the abdominal wall. The mesh strengthens the weak area where the hernia occurred. In some cases, surgeons may use stitches alone to close and strengthen the weak area in the abdominal wall.

Patients most often receive local anesthesia and a sedative for open hernia surgery. In some cases, doctors may give patients general anesthesia or a spinal block to make the body numb from the waist down.

Laparoscopic hernia surgery

In laparoscopic hernia surgery, a surgeon makes several small cuts in your lower abdomen and inserts special tools to view and repair the hernia. The surgeon uses a piece of mesh to close and strengthen the abdominal wall.

Patients most often receive general anesthesia for laparoscopic hernia surgery. Recovery time after laparoscopic surgery may be shorter than after open hernia surgery.

Watchful waiting

Research suggests that men with inguinal hernias that cause few or no symptoms may be able to safely delay surgery, an approach called watchful waiting. Men who delay surgery should watch for symptoms and see a doctor regularly. About 70 percent of men who delay surgery will develop new or worsening symptoms and will need surgery within 5 years.

You may have some pain or discomfort after hernia surgery. The pain is typically mild and goes away within 2 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will recommend medicines to relieve pain.

Talk with your doctor about when you can safely return to your usual activities after hernia surgery. Many people can go back to work and resume daily activities within 3 to 5 days after hernia surgery.

Surgery to repair an inguinal hernia is quite safe. However, possible complications of hernia surgery include

• urinary retention
• infection
• swelling in the area you had surgery due to a buildup of blood, called a hematoma, or a buildup of blood plasma, called a seroma
• chronic or severe pain
• return of the hernia, which may require another surgery

Serious complications, such as damage to blood vessels or organs, are rare.

Talk with your doctor about the risks of hernia surgery and symptoms you should watch for after surgery. For example, you should call your doctor right away if you have

• bleeding, drainage, or redness in the area where you had surgery
• fever or chills
• nausea or vomiting
• pain or swelling in your abdomen
• pain or swelling in your groin that gets worse
• pain that is severe or doesn’t get better when you take pain medicines
• problems breathing
• problems urinating