What does a hernia look like on a woman?

Hernias often look like a bulge or swelling under the skin. There are many different types of hernia. Most of the time, they are not serious, but some hernias require surgery. A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ pushes through the muscle or tissue of its normal location.

What are the signs of a hernia in a woman?

Where is a hernia located on a female?

In women, the inguinal canal contains the round ligament that gives support for the womb. In an inguinal hernia, fatty tissue or a part of the intestine pokes into the groin at the top of the inner thigh. This is the most common type of hernia, and affects men more often than women.

What type of hernia is most common in females?

Inguinal hernia is the commonest hernia type in females followed by incisional hernias which also accounteds for most recurrent cases.

What does a hernia bump look like?

Abdominal wall hernias are generally visible: they will look like a lump or bulge beneath the skin. These hernias don't usually cause any other symptoms except for mild pain or discomfort, usually when you are straining (for instance, lifting something heavy).

Hernias in Women - Symptoms and Treatments

How do I check myself for a hernia?

Can you see a hernia from the outside?

A hernia happens when an area of an organ or tissue pushes through a weakened layer of muscle, usually in your groin or abdomen. A hernia can be external, pushing through muscle toward the outside of your body and visible under your skin, or internal, when it pushes through a different muscle layer deep under the skin.

What happens if a hernia is left untreated?

“Hernias cannot heal on their own — if left untreated, they usually get bigger and more painful, and can cause serious health risks in some cases.” If the wall through which the intestine is protruding closes shut, it can cause a strangulated hernia, which cuts off blood flow to the bowel.

How does a woman get a hernia?

Both are due to weakened muscles that may have been present since birth, or are associated with aging and repeated strains on the abdominal and groin areas. Such strain may come from physical exertion, obesity, pregnancy, frequent coughing, or straining due to constipation.

Do hernias hurt to touch?

Hernias could cause abdominal pain

The area may be sensitive to the touch, even if you don't have a noticeable hernia bulge. Pain can feel like a burning or aching sensation, which may get worse with strain.

Can a woman have a hernia in the groin area?

The incidence of groin hernias in women is 1.9%. In other words, from every 50 women, one could have groin hernia. However, since groin hernias in women usually have no signs or symptoms, their diagnosis are delayed.

How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin?

How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin muscle? Feelings of dull aching and pain in the groin area are common for both a muscle strain and a hernia. A key indicator that you may have a hernia, however, is if you have a small bulge, lump, or bump on one side of the groin.

What is the main cause of hernia?

Ultimately, all hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia; the pressure pushes an organ or tissue through the opening or weak spot. Sometimes the muscle weakness is present at birth; more often, it occurs later in life.

When is a hernia an emergency?

Symptoms of a hernia in need of emergency treatment include: Severe pain, swelling or redness at the hernia site. Hernia bulge growing quickly. Nausea and/or vomiting.

Can a hernia go away on its own?

Hernias don't go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia.

How does a hernia feel?

Typically, patients with ventral hernias describe mild pain, aching or a pressure sensation at the site of the hernia. The discomfort worsens with any activity that puts a strain on the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, running or bearing down during bowel movements. Some patients have a bulge but do not have discomfort.

Can a hernia make your stomach big?

While a hernia may start out as a harmless bulge, it can get bigger and start to hurt. In some cases, it can even be life-threatening. So even if it doesn't seem like a big deal, it's best to see your doctor if you have symptoms of a hernia, like a lump or bulge you can't explain.

How do you know if a hernia is serious?

Seek immediate care if a hernia bulge turns red, purple or dark or if you notice any other signs or symptoms of a strangulated hernia. See your doctor if you have a painful or noticeable bulge in your groin on either side of your pubic bone.

Should I push my hernia back in?

You cannot push the hernia back into place with gentle pressure when you are lying down. The area over the hernia turns red or becomes tender.

Are hernias hard or soft?

An inguinal hernia happens when part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the belly (abdominal) wall. The hernia creates a soft lump under the skin. Most inguinal hernias can be pushed back into the belly with gentle massage and pressure.

Can a hernia cause gas and bloating?

An inguinal hernia can cause someone to feel like they had an enormous meal when in fact they did not. This very common type of hernia can also make you feel bloated accompanied with pain in the groin and lower abdomen. Some of these easy to miss signs of a hernia can be potentially dangerous if not treated.

Where do you feel pain from a hernia?

The symptoms that lead most people to the doctor, and eventually a hernia diagnosis, typically include pain in the abdomen, particularly in the groin area. The pain tends to get worse if you sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or strain. But different types of hernia can cause other symptoms.

Can a hernia cause back and hip pain?

The pain may not just be in the area of the hernia; it can radiate to your hip, back, leg — even to the genitals. As your hernia gets worse, many aspects of your life will get worse right along with it. Even if it isn't painful (yet), the sensation and pressure may cause you to avoid certain activities.

How long is recovery from hernia surgery?

Open hernia surgery, in which a surgeon utilizes a long incision to push the bulging organ back into place, generally requires a minimum of three weeks to recover. If a laparoscopic hernia repair is performed, recovery is closer to one to two weeks.

What causes groin hernia in females?

A femoral hernia occurs when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall of the groin or inner thigh. Common causes include obesity and overstraining while coughing, exercising, or passing stool.