A bulge in your groin area: If so, you may have a direct or indirect hernia. You will see swelling in the lower part of your abdomen that extends down toward or even into your scrotum. A bulge on the thigh below your groin: This is most likely a femoral hernia. One testicle that’s larger than the other or more swollen: This may be from an indirect hernia. Burning, aching, or heavy pain in your groin: These can indicate a hernia because the intestine can become caught and squeezed, leading to pain. Seek emergency treatment if this occurs. If the swelling is an oval shape that is not in your scrotum area, then it is probably a direct hernia rather than an inguinal hernia.
Let your doctor know if you’ve been or felt like vomiting in addition to not being able to push the bulge back in. This can mean there’s a complication known as strangulation. You need to see a doctor immediately if you have abdominal pain or a fever. Strangulation of the intestine and blood vessels supplying it can deprive the intestine of proper nutrients. This will kill the tissue and keep it from functioning. You’ll need surgery to remove the dead tissue so that digested products can pass through. [4] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
Your doctor may listen against the bulge with a stethoscope for bowel sounds. If no bowel sounds are heard, this can indicate dead intestinal tissue or strangulation. [6] X Research source Bickley L S. Chapter 13 - Male genitalia and Hernias. Bates guide to physical examination and history taking. 10th edition. 2009 Walters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p 503; 509-511.
Indirect inguinal hernia: This type is a congenital (birth) defect that causes the intestine and/or lining of the intestine to pass through the area where a man’s testicles descended before birth. In most cases, this area didn’t seal properly before birth, making it weak. Direct inguinal hernia: This type is usually caused by trauma to the area like repeated stress from lifting heavy objects, frequent coughing, straining while using the bathroom, or pregnancy. The intestine, lining, or intestinal fat pass through these weakened muscles near the groin and genitals, but not through the scrotum or testes. It is most common in men over 40, but can occur in women as well. Femoral hernia: This type is usually caused by pregnancy or childbirth, but can occur in men. The intestinal contents pass through a weakening in the lower groin, where the vessels supplying the thighs and legs pass through. Complications are more likely with femoral hernias, so keep your doctor up to date if symptoms change.
If you plan on surgery, you’ll need to have lab work done: labs for your blood values (PT, PTT, INR, and CBC),[9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and glucose levels, and an ECG for detection of any heart abnormalities. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor to arrange your tests and have the results sent to your surgeon.
Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive. It also leaves a smaller scar after surgery, causes less blood loss, and results in less pain following surgery. Laparoscopic repair is favored over the open procedure if the hernia is bilateral, recurrent, or femoral.
If you have a larger hernia or are looking for a less expensive surgery, you should consider open surgery. Open surgical repair is favored over laparoscopic repair if there has been prior surgery in that area, if this is your first inguinal hernia, if it is a large hernia, or if infection is a concern.
To relieve pain, you can also place a cold pack wrapped in a towel over the area for about 20 minutes.
Avoid taking baths or soaking the wound in pools or hot tubs for at least 2 weeks.
You should also wait to lift anything more than 10 lbs for up to 6 weeks or till you doctor tells you it’s okay. Heavy lifting can aggravate a new hernia at the same site. Driving is discouraged during the first two weeks after surgery. You can have sex after a hernia as long as it’s not uncomfortable or painful. Most patients will have recovered and gone back to work within a month of having herniorrhaphy.
Fever (101 F) and chills: A bacteria may have infected the surgical site. Drainage of fluid from the surgical area that smells or looks like pus (usually brownish/green): Bacterial infections make these smelly and viscous fluid. Constant bleeding from the surgical site: you may have ruptured a vessel that was never properly closed during surgery. Trouble urinating: Fluid and inflammation are normal after surgery, but too much can compress the bladder or urethra causing trouble urinating. This can cause urine retention or the inability to empty your bladder fully. Swelling or pain in testicles that’s getting worse The most common complication is recurrence of the hernia.
Make sure to choose exercises that don’t increase the stress on your abdominal wall. Good moderate exercises to try include walking, jogging, swimming and bicycling.
Fiber is especially important if you’ve had surgery for a hernia, because surgery and the use of pain medications can make your bowels slow down. This can lead to constipation which can aggravate your abdomen.
You may also want to wear a supportive garment around your waist. This can help support your abdominal muscles, especially when lifting.
