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(Hernia, Groin—Adult; Hernia, Inguinal—Adult; Inguinal Hernia—Adult)

Related Media: Hernia Repair

Definition

A groin hernia occurs when abdominal tissue or fat pokes out through the abdominal wall. It causes a bulge in the groin area. There are two main types:

Inguinal hernia—occurs in the area where the abdomen meets the thigh on both sides. This is the most common type.
Femoral hernia—located in the upper thigh.

A hernia can trap a section of intestine, leading to blockage or problems with blood flow. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.

Inguinal Hernias

Causes

The abdominal wall wraps around your middle from the bottom of your ribs to your pelvis. It helps to contain and support your abdominal organs and tissue. When this area is weakened these internal tissues can press through can create the hernia. The weakness may be caused by a problem with the abdominal wall development before birth, injuries, or wear and tear of the muscles.

Risk Factors

Groin hernias are more common in men and femoral hernias are more common in women.

Factors that increase your chance of abdominal wall weakness include:

Obesity
Advancing age
Wear and tear on abdominal wall from frequent lifting of heavy objects, or prolonged coughing or straining
Previous surgery in the abdominal area

Symptoms

Many times, there are no symptoms with groin hernia. In those that do have them, the symptoms may 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
Pain and/or a heavy feeling or discomfort in the groin area

More serious symptoms may need emergency care:

Severe pain in the groin or abdomen
Fever
Abdominal swelling
Nausea
Vomiting

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Imaging studies are only done if the diagnosis in not clear by physical exam.

Treatment

Watchful waiting is an option for those with no symptoms. This means you and your doctor will monitor your hernia for growth or the appearance of more serious symptoms. In people with symptoms, hernias are repaired with surgery. The abdominal tissue will be pushed back in and the opening will be closed. Sometimes a mesh material will be placed to help support the area.

Prevention

The following strategies may help to prevent a groin hernia:

If you are overweight, lose weight.
Exercise regularly to keep abdominal muscles strong.
Learn to lift properly. Ask for help with heavy weights.
Stop smoking, especially if you have a chronic cough.

RESOURCES

American College of Physicians http://www.acponline.org

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://www.niddk.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Institute for Health Information http://www.cihi.ca

Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References

Garvey JF, Read JW, et al. Sportsman hernia: what can we do? Hernia. 2010;14(1):17-25.

Groin hernia in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated March 21, 2013. Accessed April 8, 2013.

Hawn MT, Itani KM, et al. Patient-reported outcomes after inguinal herniorrhaphy. Surgery. 2006;140:198-205.

Inguinal hernia. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/inguinalhernia/inguinalhernia.pdf. Accessed April 8, 2013.

Inguinal/femoral hernia. American College of Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.facs.org/public%5Finfo/operation/brochures/hernrep.pdf. Accessed April 8, 2013.

Laurence I, Ngan-Soo E, et al. The role of multi-detector computed tomography in imaging hernias. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2011;72(2):72-77.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Peter Lucas, MD; Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 03/2013 -
Update Date: 04/08/2013 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.