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Patients & Caregivers

This information is designed to provide you with helpful educational information but is for information purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. No representation is made that the information provided is current, complete, or accurate. Medtronic does not assume any responsibility for persons relying on the information provided. Be sure to discuss questions specific to your health and treatments with a healthcare professional. For more information please speak to your healthcare professional.

Patients & Caregivers

This information is designed to provide you with helpful educational information but is for information purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. No representation is made that the information provided is current, complete, or accurate. Medtronic does not assume any responsibility for persons relying on the information provided. Be sure to discuss questions specific to your health and treatments with a healthcare professional. For more information please speak to your healthcare professional.

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Home Patients & Caregivers Conditions & Treatments Hernia What is Inguinal Hernia Living with Inguinal Hernia

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  • Living with Inguinal Hernia
  • Treatment Options
  • About the Surgery
  • Frequently Asked Questions
F436CEEC-D726-4247-B576-AC05323F658A Contact & Support

LIVING WITH INGUINAL HERNIA

You are not alone

Inguinal hernias affect roughly 15% of all adults and represents over two-thirds of all adult hernias. While this condition is most common in men, women can also be prone to an inguinal hernia.¹

Diagram depicting a hernia bulge

What does an inguinal hernia feel like?

Common symptoms of an inguinal hernia include:

  • A slight bulge in the groin area which may become more apparent when you cough or strain. 2
  • A steady, aching pain radiating into the hernia area. This pain may worsen with tension.3
  • Pain or bruising in the area of the hernia after a period of exercise.3

The size of the hernia bulge varies between individuals (up to a few centimetres long). However, the size of the hernia is not always indicative of the severity of the hernia.

If you are NOT able to massage the hernia back in, seek medical help as soon as you can. This may be a sign of an incarcerated hernia and should be treated immediately.3

So, you think you have an inguinal hernia. What now?

 

Go and speak to your doctor. At first, your doctor may suggest a strategy called “watchful waiting”. This is an active process where you carefully monitor your symptoms in case they worsen.

However, a hernia will not repair on its own. The only way to treat an inguinal hernia is through hernia repair surgery. You can learn more about the different kinds of surgical treatments available to you here, or find a hernia specialist to discuss procedures:

Treatment Options       Find a specialist

The recovery process will vary depending on your circumstances but can be relatively quick.4 Speak to your doctor about recovery times. 

Follow these steps to start your journey to treatment

STEP 01

Take the symptom quiz

Answer some simple questions about the symptoms you may be experiencing.

STEP 02

Discuss with your GP

Take these results to your next appointment and discuss your treatment options. 

STEP 03

Find a specialist 

If your GP recommends surgical repair, find a suitable specialist near you.

Inguinal Hernia Symptoms Quiz

 

Start your journey here. Complete the 2-minute symptom quiz, download the results and take it to your doctor.

Still have questions?

 

Visit our FAQ to learn more about inguinal hernia, its symptoms, and the available treatment options.

Read the FAQs

Find a specialist

If you think you have a hernia or just want to know more about your symptoms, you can start by speaking with your regular doctor.

If you do have inguinal hernia, you may need to speak with a specialist. These doctors are trained in diagnosing and treating inguinal hernia with all the available therapies. 

Find a specialist
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Treatment options

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