What Is an Inguinal Hernia?

If you’ve noticed a bulge in your groin — especially one that appears when you stand, cough, or strain — you may be dealing with an inguinal hernia. They’re the most common type of hernia, accounting for roughly 75% of all cases, and they’re very treatable.

What Is an Inguinal Hernia?

An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue — usually part of the intestine or fatty tissue from the abdomen — pushes through a weak spot in the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal is a passage in the lower abdominal wall near the groin. In men, the spermatic cord runs through this canal; in women, it contains a ligament that supports the uterus.

Inguinal hernias can occur on either side of the groin, and occasionally on both sides at once (called a bilateral hernia).

Who Gets Them?

Anyone can develop an inguinal hernia, but they’re far more common in men — about 27% of men will develop one at some point in their lifetime, compared to about 3% of women. This is largely due to anatomical differences in how the inguinal canal develops.

Other risk factors include:

• A family history of hernias
• Previous hernia or hernia repair
• Chronic cough or constipation
• Jobs or activities involving heavy, repeated lifting
• Being overweight

What Does It Feel Like?

The most common sign is a visible or palpable bulge in the groin or, in men, the scrotum. The bulge may come and go — appearing when you stand, cough, or strain, and disappearing when you lie down.

Other symptoms can include:

• An aching, burning, or dragging sensation in the groin
• Discomfort that worsens throughout the day
• A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the area

Some inguinal hernias cause no symptoms at all and are found incidentally during a physical exam.

Do Inguinal Hernias Go Away on Their Own?

No. Hernias don’t heal themselves and tend to enlarge over time. While not every hernia requires immediate surgery, all hernias should be evaluated. A small, asymptomatic hernia may be appropriate to watch — but a growing or symptomatic hernia typically needs repair.

When Is Surgery Needed?

Surgery is the only definitive treatment for an inguinal hernia. It’s generally recommended when the hernia is causing symptoms, growing, or at risk of complications. The most serious complication is incarceration or strangulation — when the protruding tissue becomes trapped and loses its blood supply. This is a surgical emergency.

Dr. Ash offers open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted inguinal hernia repair. The right approach depends on the size and type of your hernia and your overall health. She’ll walk you through your options at your consultation.