Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn't readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
Full Answer
What should I know about female inguinal hernia surgery?
Female Inguinal Hernia Surgery: What you should know. Unfortunately, a hernia does not tend to get better on its own, but instead, it usually gets bigger as time goes on. Men with smaller hernias can typically practice watchful waiting, with surgery not always being immediately necessary. Women, on the other hand,...
Do you know the types of hernias in females?
These are very small and very hard to identify. As women typically experience internal hernias, they are more likely to feel consistent pain. If you want to know more about the types of hernia that develop in females and possible treatment options, keep reading. There are various causes that contribute to the development of hernias in women.
How do you know if you have an internal hernia?
If you have a hernia in your abdomen or groin, you might notice a lump or bulge that can be pushed back in, or that might disappear when you’re lying down. But because women typically experience internal hernias, you might just experience consistent pain that has no other explanation.
Is an inguinal hernia serious?
Studies of men with inguinal hernias indicate the risk of having an emergency, like part of the bowel getting stuck or strangled in the muscle gap, is quite low. But because hernias tend to grow larger or cause symptoms over time, most men will require surgery within 10 years of hernia diagnosis.
How do you know if you have a hernia after a hysterectomy?
The most noticeable symptom of an incisional hernia is a bulge near the incision site. It's often most visible when you strain your muscles, such as when you stand up, lift something, or cough. Besides a visible bulge, incisional hernias might also cause: nausea and vomiting.
How do I know if I need inguinal hernia surgery?
When is surgery needed? Inguinal hernias can be repaired using surgery to push the bulge back into place and strengthen the weakness in the abdominal wall. The operation is usually recommended if you have a hernia that causes pain, severe or persistent symptoms, or if any serious complications develop.
What can be confused with inguinal hernia?
Femoral Hernias. Femoral hernias occur when a bit of tissue bulges through the lower belly and into the upper thigh, in the area just below the groin crease. Femoral hernias are sometimes mistaken for inguinal hernias because they occur in a nearby location.
How do you know when a hernia needs to be repaired?
You may have a hernia if you have swelling and a bulge that is able to be “pushed back” into your abdomen. If it continues to grow, you will need to have hernia surgery in order to repair it....Symptoms include:Nausea.Vomiting.Fever.Intensifying pain.A bulge that turns red or purple.
What causes inguinal hernia in females?
In women, this type of hernia can occur if reproductive organs or the small intestine slides into the groin area because of a weakness in the abdominal muscles. Direct inguinal hernia. This type of hernia is caused by weakening of your abdominal muscles over time and is more likely to be seen in adults.
What does a hernia feel like in a woman?
Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.
How would a woman know if she has a hernia?
Common hernia symptoms for women include: Burning or aching pain. Pain in your groin when you cough, laugh, or lift something. Constant pressure in your groin.
What type of hernia is most common in females?
Inguinal hernia is the commonest hernia type in females followed by incisional hernias which also accounteds for most recurrent cases.
What happens if a hernia is left untreated?
If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.
When should I worry about hernia pain?
Seek immediate care if a hernia bulge turns red, purple or dark or if you notice any other signs or symptoms of a strangulated hernia. See your doctor if you have a painful or noticeable bulge in your groin on either side of your pubic bone.
What is the most serious type of hernia?
Strangulated hernias are life threatening and require emergency medical care.
Can a hernia cause gas and bloating?
An inguinal hernia can cause someone to feel like they had an enormous meal when in fact they did not. This very common type of hernia can also make you feel bloated accompanied with pain in the groin and lower abdomen. Some of these easy to miss signs of a hernia can be potentially dangerous if not treated.
How do you know if you have an inguinal hernia?
Symptoms of an inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernias can often be self-diagnosed. While they are often symptomless, with just the tiniest bulge in the inguinal area of the groin, more common symptoms can include: pain or swelling in the groin area. a bulge that is reducible, or goes away when you lie down on your back.
What is a hernia in the abdominal wall?
While hernias come in all shapes, sizes, and locations on the body, in simple terms, a hernia is a tear or weakness in the abdominal wall muscles that allows a small amount of fat (or in some cases part of an organ – like your intestines) to protrude through the cavity which typically keeps it contained.
What is the most common type of hernia?
While inguinal hernias are by far the most common type of hernia, accounting for approximately 71-73% of all hernias, there are also many other types of hernias depending on where they occur: inguinal (most common hernia, lower abdominal/groin) incisional (caused by an incision) femoral (outer groin)
What causes a hernia in the groin?
Risks factors for inguinal hernias are: lifting heavy things, bowel or bladder issues resulting in more pressure placed on the groin (ie. straining, bladder retention), or it can be congenital and stem from a natural weakness in the internal inguinal ring that’s been present since birth.
What does it mean when your groin is swollen?
pain or swelling in the groin area. a bulge that is reducible, or goes away when you lie down on your back. the size of the lump or bulge increases when standing or when pressure is placed on it, like while laughing, coughing, and vomiting.
Can you recover from an inguinal hernia repair?
Recovering from an inguinal hernia repair is going to vastly depend on the surgical method that was used to fix your hernia defect. For instance, a laparoscopic repair allows a much speedier recovery versus open repairs. Regardless of the repair method, do not rush yourself back to work and normal activities! Take it easy, and allow yourself time to rest and heal.
Is it rare to have a hernia in a female?
You see, a female inguinal hernia is quite rare, with only about a 3% lifetime risk. Males, on the other hand, have a 27% lifetime risk of developing one. Hypermobility may increase the risk of developing a hernia as well, which is slightly more common in women and occurs in approximately 4-13% of the population.
How to diagnose an inguinal hernia?
A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain.
How to treat a small hernia?
Treatment. If your hernia is small and isn't bothering you, your doctor might recommend watchful waiting. Sometimes, wearing a supportive truss may help relieve symptoms, but check with your doctor first because it's important that the truss fits properly, and is being used appropriately. In children, the doctor might try applying manual pressure ...
How does an open hernia repair work?
In this procedure, which might be done with local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in your groin and pushes the protruding tissue back into your abdomen. The surgeon then sews the weakened area, often reinforcing it with a synthetic mesh (hernioplasty).
How does a hernia surgery work?
The surgeon may use laparoscopic or robotic instruments to repair your hernia. Gas is used to inflate your abdomen to make the internal organs easier to see.
Can a hernia recur after surgery?
Minimally invasive hernia surgery allows the surgeon to avoid scar tissue from an earlier hernia repair, so it might be a good choice for people whose hernias recur after open hernia surgery. It also might be a good choice for people with hernias on both sides of the body (bilateral).
How to treat a hernia in the abdominal wall?
If conservative treatments fail to improve symptoms, laparoscopic surgery is generally used to repair the hernia. 1 This procedure repairs the weakened area of the abdominal wall.
What is the best imaging tool for a hernia diagnosis?
Once the symptoms lead to a possible hernia diagnosis in women, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the best imaging tool to help confirm the diagnosis.
How long does a sports hernia last?
Diagnosis. Treatment. Sports hernia in women can go undiagnosed for months, or even years. A hernia occurs when an area in the abdominal wall becomes thin, weak, or separated, allowing the internal organs, such as the small intestines, to push through.
Can a hernia cause bulging on the skin?
Because of this, women's hernias rarely cause any bulging on the skin, which is the classic hernia sign in men. Sports Hernia Symptoms.
Can a hernia cause pain?
A woman with a hernia often has chronic deep pelvic pain or bouts of acute, stabbing pain that come on quickly and linger. 1 Researchers have indicated that symptoms often point the physician in the wrong direction, and women are initially diagnosed with everything from endometriosis to cysts or fibroids. Getting a correct hernia diagnosis is ...
Is a hernia more visible in women than in men?
Hernia Symptoms in Women. The symptoms of hernias in women are quite different from those experienced by men. One difference is the location. In women, the hernia is frequently deeper in the body and therefore less visible than in men.
How do you know if you have a hernia?
Some of the symptoms and signs that women are likely to experience when they develop a hernia are-. Pain that varies from minor to agonizing. Burning sensation near the hernia.
How to treat a hernia in women?
Treatment of Hernia in Women. If a hernia is not causing any symptoms, these can be managed with simple home remedies and preventive measures . When hernias are left untreated, it can cause extreme discomfort that can only be cured using surgical intervention as treatment.
What causes a hernia in a woman?
Some of the common causes are discussed below-. Chronic cough. Chronic sneezing. Increased abdominal pressure. Pregnancy (Know here: Umbilical hernia during pregnancy) Straining excessively during bowel movements.
What is the second most common type of hernia?
The second most common type of hernia that occurs in women is umbilical hernias. When the abdominal wall weakens near the belly button during pregnancy, an umbilical hernia develops. A person can see the tissue protruding outward from the navel. This type of hernias is also common in babies.
Where does a hernia occur?
This is the most common type of hernia that develops in females. The femoral canal contains the femoral artery and other blood vessels. A hernia occurs in the femoral canal when the tissue bulges through the weak spot in the abdomen near the groin. The herniated tissue can move through the opening and get inside the groin or thigh.
What are the factors that increase the risk of hernias in women?
Some of them are explained below-. Aging. Obesity. Chronic constipation. Chronic cough. Hereditary. Premature birth and low birth rate. Giving birth.
How difficult is it to diagnose a hernia?
Hernia in Females: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Hernias in women are very difficult to diagnose. These are very small and very hard to identify. As women typically experience internal hernias, they are more likely to feel consistent pain. If you want to know more about the types of hernia that develop in females ...
Which is more likely to have an inguinal hernia or a hiatal hernia
Men are more likely to have an inguinal hernia than women. Located in your inner thigh, this hernia is made of fatty tissue or part of the intestine. In this case, the hernia protrudes from the belly button. In a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes through the chest cavity.
How to repair a hernia?
Surgical Techniques for Hernia Repair. During surgery, the tissue that is “leaking” out of place is set back into its proper position. Then, the muscle is stitched back together. If the muscle is weak, a mesh may also be added for support.
What does it mean when a hernia turns red?
Fever. Intensifying pain. A bulge that turns red or purple. Because of the potentially serious complications, we generally recommend that those with a hernia undergo a simple procedure to ensure that it does not increase in size or grow worse.
Where do hernias occur?
That’s called a hernia. While they can appear anywhere on your body, they are more common in the area between your chest and hips. When the organs protrude, they create a bulge or a lump. Sometimes, this lump can be pushed back into the abdomen.
Do hernias get bigger?
However, it’s important to realize that most of the time, hernias do get larger . While it may not be causing trouble now, it is very likely that it could lead to more serious complications later if it is not repaired. One of those complications is strangulation.
Can you delay scheduling surgery?
It’s important that you don’t delay in schedu ling an appointment for your surgery, as a delay can cause more serious complications later. We understand that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be some concern over scheduling elective surgery.
Does Conway Medical Center have surgery for hernia?
Conway Medical Center Alleviating Pain, Surgical Procedures. A hernia is a common but frequently misunderstood condition. You may have a hernia if you have swelling and a bulge that is able to be “pushed back” into your abdomen. If it continues to grow, you will need to have hernia surgery in order to repair it.
What happens when a hernia is strangulated?
A strangulated hernia occurs when the surrounding muscle clamps down around the herniated tissue. This cuts off blood supply to the small intestine, which can then cause a perforation in your intestine, causing your body to go into shock, or cause the tissue to die.
What is a hernia in men called?
They’re often called “hidden hernias” for this reason.
What are the risk factors for strangulated hernias?
Chronic coughing, straining during bowel movements, and engaging in strenuous activity are risk factors for strangulated hernias that apply to both genders. For women, pregnancy and abdominal surgery such as a C-section can further raise their risk.
Where does a fetal hernia occur?
Femoral hernias occur when tissue bulges from your lower belly into your upper thigh, just below your groin crease. Although this type of hernia is uncommon, it happens almost exclusively in women and can occur after pregnancy or childbirth and can potentially be very dangerous.
Can a hernia be misdiagnosed?
Women’s symptoms are also consistent with other health problems, such as ovarian cysts or endometriosis, so hernias can often be misdiagnosed. In fact, women often go through multiple surgeries to correct these conditions but are still left with pain from a hidden hernia.
How to tell if a hernia is a hernia?
A: When most hernias start, the internal tissue that pushes through the muscle gap is usually fat. But it’s also possible for part of the bowel to protrude through the opening. The risk of this is very low, but when it happens, it needs emergency repair. Seek immediate medical attention if you have: 1 A painful bulge that doesn’t reduce in size when you lay down and rest 2 Worsening pain 3 Nausea and/or vomiting 4 Difficulty having a bowel movement 5 Bloating 6 Racing heart rate 7 Fever
What does a ventral hernia feel like?
Q: What Does a Belly or Abdominal (Ventral) Hernia Feel Like? A: If you have a ventral hernia in the belly area, you may see or feel a bulge along the outer surface of the abdomen. Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia.
How long does it take to heal a ventral hernia?
However, repairing more complicated hernias may require a hospital stay of one to five days.
What does it mean when you have a bulge on your testicles?
A bulge you can see or feel. Aching pain in the area. A feeling of pressure. A tugging sensation of the scrotum around the testicles. Pain that worsens with activities that add pressure to the area, such as heavy lifting, pushing and straining.
Where do hernias occur?
There are different types of hernias, but the most common hernias occur in the belly or groin areas .
Can a hernia be repaired?
Nearly all hernias can be surgically repaired. Adrales explains how to recognize hernia signs in men and women, the most common types, and what surgery and recovery are like.
Can you repair a hernia before surgery?
For both men and women, repair is recommended for most abdominal hernias. The exception is if you have risk factors for complications or hernia recurrence, such as obesity or poorly controlled diabetes. It’s better to get those conditions under control before surgery. Some patients do not have symptoms and may decide to delay repair after discussion of the risks and benefits with their surgeon.
What is the name of the hernia in the groin?
Your groin (an inguinal hernia) The top of your inner thigh (a femoral hernia) Your abdomen (a hiatal hernia) And between your navel and sternum (an epigastric hernia) Getty/Amanda Becker. Hernias can also occur at the site of a surgical incision or near your bellybutton (that's called an umbilical hernia). If you have a hernia in your abdomen ...
How many men have a groin hernia?
Approximately 27 percent of men and 3 percent of women will develop a groin hernia at some time in their life, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. But Hopkins says she’s seeing more and more epigastric hernias in young, thin, otherwise completely healthy women who regularly do yoga and Pilates.
What are the different types of hernias?
“There are a number of types of hernias, but the most common occur in fairly predictable areas," says Hopkins: 1 Your groin (an inguinal hernia) 2 The top of your inner thigh (a femoral hernia) 3 Your abdomen (a hiatal hernia) 4 And between your navel and sternum (an epigastric hernia)
How long does it take for a hernia to go away?
Over a couple of hours , the symptoms can progress to extreme pain, potentially with nausea and vomiting. “Typically, an incarcerated or a strangulated hernia is so painful, you'll go to the emergency room almost immediately,” says Hopkins.
Where do hernias occur?
Like we said: Hernias occur when your an internal organ busts through its protective layer of tissue and muscle. “There are a number of types of hernias, but the most common occur in fairly predictable areas," says Hopkins: Hernias can also occur at the site of a surgical incision or near your bellybutton (that's called an umbilical hernia).
Is it dangerous to have an epigastric hernia?
“But epigastric hernias are not dangerous. They’re usually very tiny.”.
Can a hernia cause burning sensations?
They can occasionally progress: “With an inguinal or femoral hernia, sometimes women will get a burning sensation that can go down to the labia, or discomfort or even pain or burning in the upper inner thigh,” says Hopkins. The more concerning symptoms occur when you have something called a strangulated hernia.
Pathophysiology
- A physical exam is usually all that's needed to diagnose an inguinal hernia. Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, you'll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isn't readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal...
Signs and symptoms
Prognosis
Diagnosis
Treatment
- The symptoms of hernias in women are quite different from those experienced by men. One difference is the location. In women, the hernia is frequently deeper in the body and therefore less visible than in men. A woman with a hernia often has chronic deep pelvic pain or bouts of acute, stabbing pain that come on quickly and lingers. Such symptoms of...