Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsInguinal HerniasUmbilical HerniasEpigastric HerniasVentral HerniasObturator HerniasHiatal HerniaFemoral HerniasWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Inguinal Hernias
Umbilical Hernias
Epigastric Hernias
Ventral Hernias
Obturator Hernias
Hiatal Hernia
Femoral Hernias
When to See a Doctor
The confusion continues straight to the notion of gender: Hernias are commonly associated with men, but women develop them, too. Furthermore, hernias can occur in people of any age, from birth to late adulthood.
Most hernias are abdominal hernias. Anything that strains the abdominal wall—from lifting heavy objects to exercising—can predispose someone to a hernia and cause one, too.
This article describes the seven types of hernias men are most likely to experience and the red flags that can alert you to the presence of one.
gilaxia / Getty Images
Inguinal(or groin) hernias are the most common type of hernias, though men have a higher risk of experiencing one than women.The inguinal canal is where thetestesdescend before birth. The canal contains the spermatic cord and blood vessels.
An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue (like fat or intestines) protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal cavity near the groin. The herniated part can then travel through the opening and into the groin or the scrotum.
Inguinal hernias can generally be pushed back or even slide back and forth on their own. However, if the segment of intestine gets stuck and strangulates, the situation becomes an emergency. It can be repaired with minimally invasive surgery.
What to Do About a Groin Hernia
Umbilical hernias occur when the abdominal wall is weakened at the point of the umbilical cord (belly button). It is the second most common type of hernia in adults, though since pregnancy is an obvious “risk factor” for umbilical hernias, women are more likely to develop them.
These hernias can often be reduced manually or repaired with surgery.
An Overview of Umbilical Hernia
Epigastrichernias are protrusions of fat or sometimesintestinethrough the abdominal wall between the navel and the breastbone. Fat or intestine can push through a weak spot in the abdominal wall.
This type of hernia can be left alone, but the decision usually rests with the patient. The pain will continue, and it won’t improve without surgery.
Epigastric Hernia Diagnosis and Treatment
Aventral, or incisional, hernia occurs when scar tissue weakens the abdominal wall after a surgical procedure or as a result of trauma. These hernias can occur anywhere on the abdomen where there is a scar, like the midline or lateral edges.
Not all hernias can be repaired with alaparoscope, but this one can. For this procedure, a surgeon makes several small cuts in the belly and inserts a thin tube with a camera at the end to make the repair.Laparoscopyusually results in a faster recovery time, and with less pain.
Popping Sensations Are CommonMen often describe the sensation of a hernia as though something internally has popped or given way.
Popping Sensations Are Common
Men often describe the sensation of a hernia as though something internally has popped or given way.
Anobturatorhernia occurs when part of the intestine passes through the gap between the bones of the front of thepelvis. They can be difficult to diagnose, though acomputed tomography (CT)scan can confirm a physician’s suspicions.
A timely surgical repair is crucial to preventing the condition from getting worse.
CT Scan vs. MRI
Hiatal herniascan be treated with surgery, if necessary.
An Overview of Hiatal Hernia
More common in women, femoral hernias occur when part of the intestine protrudes through the femoral canal and protrudes at the top of the thigh.The femoral canal is where the main blood vessels pass that supply the legs.
Men experience different hernia symptoms than women, but they’re hard to miss:
By contrast, hernias in women are difficult to diagnose because the hernias are small. Plus, women usually experience internal hernias and so are more likely to feel regular pain with little let-up.
The good (if not great) news is, “nearly all hernias can be surgically repaired,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
It’s understandable that men in particular are eager to prevent a hernia. But the truth is, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all the risk factors since “anything that strains the abdominal wall can predispose a person to a hernia,” Stamford Health says.“Anything” includes heavy lifting, abdominal weight gain, chronic coughing, and a surgical procedure on the abdominal wall. You can’t avoid all of these activities, but you can be proactive about paying attention to the warning signs—and following the conventional wisdom that the sooner a condition is diagnosed, the better the long-term prognosis.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health.Common types of hernias.Stamford Health.What is a hernia? Types of hernias and risk factors.Leblanc KE, Leblanc LL, Leblanc KA.Inguinal hernias: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(12):844-8.Coste AH, Jaafar S, Misra S, et al.Umbilical hernia.StatPearls[Internet].National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Ventral hernia repair.Li, Z., Gu, C., Wei, M.et al.Diagnosis and treatment of obturator hernia: Retrospective analysis of 86 clinical cases at a single institution.BMC Surg.Mar 9;21(1):124. doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01125-2.Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: An update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323.National Health Service.Femoral hernia repair.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.Pristyn Care.Hernia In females: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health.Common types of hernias.Stamford Health.What is a hernia? Types of hernias and risk factors.Leblanc KE, Leblanc LL, Leblanc KA.Inguinal hernias: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(12):844-8.Coste AH, Jaafar S, Misra S, et al.Umbilical hernia.StatPearls[Internet].National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Ventral hernia repair.Li, Z., Gu, C., Wei, M.et al.Diagnosis and treatment of obturator hernia: Retrospective analysis of 86 clinical cases at a single institution.BMC Surg.Mar 9;21(1):124. doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01125-2.Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: An update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323.National Health Service.Femoral hernia repair.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.Pristyn Care.Hernia In females: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Michigan Health.Common types of hernias.Stamford Health.What is a hernia? Types of hernias and risk factors.Leblanc KE, Leblanc LL, Leblanc KA.Inguinal hernias: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(12):844-8.Coste AH, Jaafar S, Misra S, et al.Umbilical hernia.StatPearls[Internet].National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Ventral hernia repair.Li, Z., Gu, C., Wei, M.et al.Diagnosis and treatment of obturator hernia: Retrospective analysis of 86 clinical cases at a single institution.BMC Surg.Mar 9;21(1):124. doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01125-2.Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: An update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323.National Health Service.Femoral hernia repair.Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.Pristyn Care.Hernia In females: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
University of Michigan Health.Common types of hernias.
Stamford Health.What is a hernia? Types of hernias and risk factors.
Leblanc KE, Leblanc LL, Leblanc KA.Inguinal hernias: diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(12):844-8.
Coste AH, Jaafar S, Misra S, et al.Umbilical hernia.StatPearls[Internet].
National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Ventral hernia repair.
Li, Z., Gu, C., Wei, M.et al.Diagnosis and treatment of obturator hernia: Retrospective analysis of 86 clinical cases at a single institution.BMC Surg.Mar 9;21(1):124. doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01125-2.
Sfara A, Dumitrascu DL.The management of hiatal hernia: An update on diagnosis and treatment.Med Pharm Rep. 2019;92(4):321-325. doi:10.15386/mpr-1323.
National Health Service.Femoral hernia repair.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.
Pristyn Care.Hernia In females: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
