Inguinal hernia

At CPH Privathospital we are specialists in Inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia you can get. It occurs when the peritoneum and part of the intestine protrude through a weak spot or opening in the abdominal wall. You can recognise an inguinal hernia as a bulge when you stand up, cough or push your abdomen out. It is often completely harmless, but you may need emergency surgery.

Inguinal hernia – when you get a hernia in the groin.

There are three types of hernia: umbilical hernia, femoral hernia and inguinal hernia. The latter is the most common type. With an inguinal hernia, the peritoneum and a small part of the intestine come out through the abdominal wall in the groin area. This means that your peritoneum and a little of the intestine lie just under the skin instead of under the abdominal muscles. It is usually completely harmless, but you may experience pain.

 The cause of an inguinal hernia is that the abdominal wall is no longer strong enough to keep the peritoneum and intestine in place – and therefore you get a hernia in the groin. This can be due to, for example, pregnancy, overweight, constipation, heavy lifting and fluid in the abdominal cavity. Other times the hernia is congenital or develops slowly over time. There may also be a hereditary component.

You can see the hernia as a bulge in the groin. It can vary in size and can feel like a bulge the size of a table tennis ball in the groin, but it can also become a larger hernia that extends down into the scrotum.

The condition is more common in men than women. This is because the testicle migrates down from the abdomen to the scrotum in the foetal stage. In most cases (in men), the hernia is located in the inguinal canal through which the testicle has descended.

At CPH Privathospital you are always welcome to contact us either by phone or via our contact form.

What are the symptoms of an inguinal hernia, and is it dangerous?

The symptoms of a hernia can vary from person to person. Some inguinal hernias cause very little or no discomfort, while others may experience severe pain and a feeling of heaviness in the groin. In men, it is also common for the hernia to appear in the scrotum and in women in the labia. 

The bulge emerges through the weak spot in the groin and can become larger over time. Other times you can also see the hernia if there are swollen lymph nodes, fluid accumulation in the scrotum or varicose veins in the veins of the testicles. All three signs can be symptoms of a scrotal hernia. 

An inguinal hernia is only dangerous if it develops into an incarcerated hernia and is not treated acutely. This means that part of your intestine is trapped because the hernia is either positioned unfavourably or has become twisted. Here you can often experience vomiting, nausea and severe pain. 

We therefore recommend that you contact your own doctor if you have signs of an inguinal hernia, and the doctor will then refer you to a surgeon who, in consultation with you, can decide whether you should have surgery or not.

Diagnosis and surgery for inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia consists of a hernial sac containing intestine or fat. You can feel this as a bulge in the groin or at the top of the thigh. The bulge can create pressure from the inside when you, for example, stand up, cough or push your abdomen out. Here it will be visible, while it typically disappears when you lie down.

If you suspect yourself or your child of having an inguinal hernia, our professional consultant can easily examine whether it is a hernia or not, and whether you should have surgery. We do this by pressing lightly on the hernia and trying to move it back into place in the abdominal cavity. 

If you are overweight, it can be difficult to feel the hernia. Here we can instead make use of a CT scan.

As a rule, you do not need emergency surgery if you get an inguinal hernia. But if it bothers you in everyday life, there may be good reason to have it operated on. If the hernia traps part of the small intestine, you get what is called an “incarcerated hernia”. This is a rare but serious condition that requires emergency surgery. This is because the intestine suffers damage, and in the worst case it can be life-threatening.

During the operation, our experienced consultant will remove the hernia either by a gentle laparoscopic operation under general anaesthesia or an open operation. Read more about how we at CPH Privathospital can safely reduce your pain from an inguinal hernia.

Training and exercises for an inguinal hernia?

Can you exercise a hernia away? Unfortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that. If you have a hernia in the groin or have been operated on for it, you can as a general rule: 

• Avoid smoking (as smoking weakens the connective tissue)
• Cough as little as possible
• Not stand up for too long
• Reduce regular lifting of heavy objects
• Not make sudden, explosive movements during sport

It is important to remember that inguinal hernias can occur for various reasons, but that as a general rule you cannot prevent them. Most hernias will grow over time, which is why it will be easier and result in fewer complications to operate on a small hernia rather than a large one. Therefore, we will as a general rule recommend an operation if you have symptoms from your hernia.

The most common treatment for inguinal hernia is an operation. The purpose of the operation is to remove the pain or discomfort that the hernia causes in everyday life. If the hernia is incarcerated, you must be operated on immediately. 

Receive professional and safe treatment at CPH Privathospital

At CPH Privathospital, hernia operations are performed at the highest level and with the latest equipment. For us, it is important that the easy and quick solutions are put away. Here, consideration is given to the individual patient, as we wish to make the operation as safe and comfortable as possible for you. In this way, you can feel safe before, during and after the operation.