LIVING WITH INGUINAL HERNIA
You are not alone
Each year in Australia, around 90,000 to 100,000 hernia surgeries are performed. This makes hernia repair one of the most common surgical procedures.¹⁻³
What is a hernia?
A hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall. Any part of the abdominal wall can weaken and form a hernia. The most common locations are the groin (inguinal), the belly button (umbilical), and a previous surgical incision site.
Inguinal (groin) hernias are the most common type, making up about 75% of all hernias. This is partly due to a natural area of weakness in the groin.²⁻⁵
Many people with a hernia delay treatment, often because they’re unsure about their options or when surgery is needed.
Symptoms
A hernia won't fix itself and may get bigger or more uncomfortable over time. Some hernias have no symptoms and are found during a routine check-up. Most inguinal hernias will have one or more of the following symptoms:
- A dull ache or discomfort
- A slight bulge in the groin area which may become more apparent when you cough or strain
- A feeling of weakness, heaviness, pressure, or tingling
- A burning sensation in the abdomen, groin, or scrotum
Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if:
- A hernia becomes obstructed (stuck) and strangulated (loses blood supply)
- The bulge no longer goes back in when you lie down or gently push on it
- You have a fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or bloody stools
- You're unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas
- The bulge turns red, purple, or dark
- You have increasing pain in the abdomen or groin
What causes a hernia?
Hernias can happen in two main ways: some develop them over time, while others are linked to a weakness you’re born with. Acquired hernias can occur due to various reasons, like lifting heavy things, being pregnant, gaining a lot of weight, or having a long-term cough.
What are the treatment options?
While hernias won’t fix themselves, there are different ways to manage and treat them. Learn about your treatment options and what might be right for you. Always discuss these options with your doctor or a hernia specialist.
References
- Medtronic Market Model Data on File. Internal analysis based on publicly available healthcare data, including Australian Institute of Health and Welfare admitted patient care statistics and MBS data.
- University of South Australia. 90,000 Australians go under the knife for hernia repair operations each year, with older men at highest risk. University of South Australia media release. 2024. https://unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2024/90000-australians-go-under-the-knife-for-hernia-repair-operations-each-year-with-older-men-at-highest-risk/
- Le TN, Afshar Ali M, Gadzhanova S, Lim R. Hernia repair prevalence by age and gender among the Australian adult population from 2017 to 2021. Critical Public Health. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/09581596.2024.2351981
- Stabilini C, van Veenendaal N, Aasvang E, et al. Update of the international HerniaSurge guidelines for groin hernia management. BJS Open. 2023;7(5):zrad080. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrad080
- Healthdirect Australia. Hernias. Last reviewed March 2024. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hernias