Groin Hernia Adult
Overview
Definition
A groin hernia is tissue or fat that pushes through the abdominal wall. There are two types:
- Inguinal hernia (most common)—a bulge in the groin (or scrotal area in men)
- Femoral hernia—a bulge in the groin, upper thigh, or labia (in women)
A hernia can trap part of the intestine. This is called strangulation. It needs care right away.
Inguinal Hernias in Men |
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Risk Factors
Hernias are more common in men and older adults. Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Having a family history of hernia
- Having a low body mass index (BMI)
- Wear and tear on muscles of the abdomen from:
- Lifting heavy objects for a long time
- Chronic coughing
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Ascites—a buildup of fluid
- Prior abdominal surgery
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Medical conditions that affect muscles and blood vessels
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Some people do not have symptoms. Those who do may have:
- A bulge in the groin when standing or straining
- A bulge in the upper thigh
- A bulge that goes into the scrotum in men or the labia in women
- Pain, heaviness, or discomfort in the groin, especially when straining
These serious symptoms may need care right away:
- Severe pain in the groin or belly
- Fever
- Belly swelling
- Nausea and vomiting
Treatments
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.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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All rights reserved.
a (Inguinal Hernia—Adult; Femoral Hernia—Adult)
RESOURCES
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians https://familydoctor.org
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Institute for Health Information https://www.cihi.ca
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
References
Groin hernia in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/groin-hernia-in-adults-and-adolescents . Accessed January 7, 2021.
Groin hernia: inguinal and femoral repair. American College of Surgeons website. Available at: https://www.facs.org/~/media/files/education/patient%20ed/groin%5Fhernia.ashx. Accessed January 7, 2021.
Inguinal hernia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/inguinal-hernia. Accessed January 7, 2021.
Podolsky D , Novitsky Y. Robotic inguinal hernia repair. Surg Clin North Am. 2020 Apr;100(2):409-415.