What is it?
Inguinal hernia appear as a swelling or lump in your groin, or as an enlarged scrotum (the small bag containing the testicles). The swelling may be painful. The lump often appears when you’re lifting something and disappears when you lie down. An inguinal hernia usually occurs when fatty tissue or a part of your bowel, such as the intestine, pokes through into your groin at the top of your inner thigh. It pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle wall (the abdominal wall) into an area called the inguinal canal.
What are the symptoms?
Inguinal hernias are most noticeable by their appearance. They cause bulges along the pubic or groin area that can appear to increase in size when you stand up or cough. This type of hernia may be painful or sensitive to the touch. Other symptoms may include:
- Pain when coughing, exercising, or bending over.
- Burning sensations.
- Sharp pain.
- A heavy or full sensation in the groin.
- Swelling of the scrotum in men.
What to expect?
If you are diagnosed with inguinal hernia, you can consider discussing the following subjects with your doctor:
- Depending on how large your hernia is and the symptoms you have, treatment may be watchful waiting or surgery. Ask about the best option for you.
- If your inguinal hernia is surgically removed and repaired, you can ask your GP what preventive measure can you do to prevent having another hernia?