Groin Hernia

Both men and women have natural weaknesses in the tissues of the inguinal canal, a passage from the inside of the abdomen to the scrotum in men and labia in women. This passage normally seals off during development. An indirect inguinal hernia occurs when the inguinal canal does not close completely. Over time, this opening enlarges and organs in the abdomen push into the canal. A direct inguinal hernia occurswhentheweaknessis intheflooroftheinguinalcanalratherthan throughitsopening.Directandindirectherniascausesimilarsymptoms and look nearly the same on physical examination. Lower in the groin, anotherareathatcanformaherniaisthefemoral canal,whichcontains blood vessels that travel from the abdomen to the legs. Factors associated with development of groin hernias include smoking, long-term coughing, obesity, and straining during urination or bowel movements. Groin hernias are more common in men—25% develop a hernia over the course of their lifetime. Indirect hernias are the most common groin hernia in men and women. Femoral hernias most often occur in women and most frequently require surgery.