Inguinal Hernia (Groin Hernia)
An inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin where part of the bowel or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall. It is far more common in men and can extend down into the scrotum. Heavy lifting, a chronic cough, constipation and straining to pass urine all add to it. A hernia does not heal on its own, and the only lasting treatment is surgical repair, which is one of the commonest operations performed anywhere.
Find a General Surgery SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- A swelling in the groin that may extend into the scrotum
- A lump that gets bigger when standing, coughing or straining
- A lump that goes back in when lying down
- Aching or dragging in the groin, worse at the end of the day
- Discomfort when lifting
When to See a Doctor
See a surgeon if you have a lump in your groin, even if it is painless, so it can be assessed and repair planned. Go to an emergency department immediately if the lump becomes painful, hard or tender and will not go back in, especially with vomiting, a swollen belly, or being unable to pass wind or stool. This can be a strangulated hernia, where the bowel's blood supply is cut off, and it needs surgery within hours.
Treatment options
- Watchful waiting for small, painless hernias in some adults, after a surgeon's assessment
- Open mesh repair, often under local or spinal anaesthesia
- Laparoscopic (keyhole) repair, useful for hernias on both sides or hernias that have come back
- Herniotomy in children, without mesh
- Emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Can a hernia go away without surgery?
No. Belts and trusses may hold it in for a while but do not repair it, and herbal treatments cannot close the weakness in the muscle. Some small, painless hernias can be watched, but most grow over time.
Is hernia surgery dangerous?
Planned hernia repair is a routine operation with a low rate of complications, and most people go home the same day or the next. Emergency surgery on a strangulated hernia carries far more risk, which is a good reason not to wait for years.
How soon can I return to work after hernia repair?
Most people return to desk work within one to two weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous work usually wait four to six weeks, depending on the type of repair and your surgeon's advice.
Do children get groin hernias?
Yes, especially boys and babies born early. In children a groin hernia should be repaired soon after it is found, because the risk of it getting stuck is higher than in adults.
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