Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTypesRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Types
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Herniasare less common in women, have different symptoms than in men, and are often misdiagnosed.
A hernia occurs when an internal structure pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall—the muscles and tissue covering the front of your torso. More common in the groin (inguinalhernia) or upper thigh (femoral hernia), a hernia can develop anywhere from the ribcage to the upper thigh.
Lower abdominal and pelvic hernias present differently in women than men, who typically have a visible bulge. Instead, female hernias tend to be smaller, deeper, and less noticeable. Hernias can also cause chronic pelvic pressure or pain that can be mistaken for gynecological problems.
This article discusses hernias in women. It details female hernia symptoms and how hernias in women are diagnosed. It also explains the risk factors for hernia in women, how female hernias are treated, and ways to get relief.
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What Does a Hernia Feel Like for a Woman?
Hernias in women tend to be smaller and deeper than male hernias and often do not have a telltale bulge. Instead, female hernias can cause chronic, deeppelvic painand occasional sharp, stabbing pain that comes on quickly and lingers.
Hernia pain tends to worsen with exercise, coughing, laughing, or straining to defecate. Female hernia pain can be described as:
Inguinal hernia pain is usually felt at or above the groin and may radiate to the hip, lower back, vulva, or thigh. Many women find hernia pain increases during their period.
Signs of an Emergency
Hernias in the pelvic area are at risk of becoming an incarcerated hernia with a piece of the intestine stuck inside. If this gets trapped (strangulated), it can cause tissue death. Strangulated hernias are a medical emergency.
Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:
Other troubling symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention include:
If you experience any of the above symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room.
A Word From Verywell
—JAY N. YEPURI, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Types of Hernias in Women
In women, hernias in the lower abdomen or groin are typically indirect inguinal hernias. The inguinal canal is a tunnel through multiple layers of muscles and facia that the thin round ligament threads through.
Other groin and pelvic hernias include direct inguinal hernia, femoral hernia (top of inner thigh), and obturator hernia (front upper thigh rare).
Other common hernias in women are:
Less common hernias in women include:
Incisional Ventral Hernia
Risk factors for developing a hernia include:
For people with a uterus, pregnancy and repeated pregnancies are linked to an increased risk of hernia. Types of hernias that are more common in pregnancy include:
Umbilical hernias are the most common. But only about 0.08% of pregnant people get them.
Pregnancy Hernia: Formation During Trimesters or After Delivery
How Are Hernias Diagnosed in Females?
A hernia diagnosis is generally made with a physical exam and possibly imaging studies. Try to be precise in describing your symptoms, where the pain is located, and any activities that exacerbate it.
To check for a hernia, your healthcare provider will feel for a hernia while you sit, stand, or cough. They may order imaging, such as:
Common Misdiagnoses
Female hernia symptoms can be vague, which research shows often points healthcare providers in the wrong direction. Hernias are commonly misdiagnosed as:
Hernia Treatment
A small hernia that doesn’t cause problems or pain will commonly be treated with a wait-and-see approach. A hernia often worsens over time and may eventually require surgery.
At-home treatments for a hernia include:
Medical treatments for a hernia usually start with conservative measures, including rest, pain medication, andphysical therapy.Physical therapistsoften use myofascial release techniques to easemuscle spasmsthat contribute to hernia pain.
Surgery may be needed to repair the weak area of the abdominal wall and relieve hernia symptoms.
Hernia repair surgery is typically performed as alaparoscopic surgery.Most people heal quickly from this surgery. You may be back to your regular activities in a week or two.
Summary
Hernias are weak areas of the abdominal wall. The weakness lets organs protrude through it. In females, hernias are often smaller and deeper without a noticeable lump. However, hernia symptoms also mimic gynecological issues, so misdiagnoses are common.
Be specific about your pain and what makes it worse. Describing your symptom history, a physical exam, and imaging tests can get you diagnosed correctly.
Treatment usually involves pain medicine, physical therapy, or surgery.
Sports Hernia Symptoms
6 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.Köckerling F, Koch A, Lorenz R.Groin hernias in women—a review of the literature.Front Surg. 2019;6:4. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2019.00004Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.Kulacoglu H.Umbilical hernia repair and pregnancy: Before, during, after…Front Surg. 2018;5:1. Published 2018 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2018.00001University of Michigan Health.Inguinal hernia: Should I have surgery now, or should I wait?American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sports hernia.Northeast Georgia Health System.Living with a hernia.Additional ReadingFarber AJ, Wilckens JH.Sports hernia: Diagnosis and therapeutic approach.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007;15(8):507-14. doi:10.5435/00124635-200708000-00007
6 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.Köckerling F, Koch A, Lorenz R.Groin hernias in women—a review of the literature.Front Surg. 2019;6:4. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2019.00004Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.Kulacoglu H.Umbilical hernia repair and pregnancy: Before, during, after…Front Surg. 2018;5:1. Published 2018 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2018.00001University of Michigan Health.Inguinal hernia: Should I have surgery now, or should I wait?American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sports hernia.Northeast Georgia Health System.Living with a hernia.Additional ReadingFarber AJ, Wilckens JH.Sports hernia: Diagnosis and therapeutic approach.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007;15(8):507-14. doi:10.5435/00124635-200708000-00007
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.
Köckerling F, Koch A, Lorenz R.Groin hernias in women—a review of the literature.Front Surg. 2019;6:4. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2019.00004Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.Kulacoglu H.Umbilical hernia repair and pregnancy: Before, during, after…Front Surg. 2018;5:1. Published 2018 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2018.00001University of Michigan Health.Inguinal hernia: Should I have surgery now, or should I wait?American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sports hernia.Northeast Georgia Health System.Living with a hernia.
Köckerling F, Koch A, Lorenz R.Groin hernias in women—a review of the literature.Front Surg. 2019;6:4. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2019.00004
Johns Hopkins Medicine.How to tell if you have a hernia.
Kulacoglu H.Umbilical hernia repair and pregnancy: Before, during, after…Front Surg. 2018;5:1. Published 2018 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2018.00001
University of Michigan Health.Inguinal hernia: Should I have surgery now, or should I wait?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sports hernia.
Northeast Georgia Health System.Living with a hernia.
Farber AJ, Wilckens JH.Sports hernia: Diagnosis and therapeutic approach.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007;15(8):507-14. doi:10.5435/00124635-200708000-00007
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