Inguinal hernias are often thought of as a “male condition,” but can they occur in women too? In this insightful session, Dr. Manas Ranjan Tripathy, an expert in hernia surgery, explains the realities of inguinal hernias across genders and what diagnosis & treatment look like.
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Do Inguinal Hernias Only Occur in Men? | Dr. Manas Tripathy
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What Is an Inguinal Hernia?
An inguinal hernia happens when tissue (such as a portion of intestine or fat) pushes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, often into the inguinal canal region. It can cause a bulge, discomfort, or pain, especially during exertion, lifting, or straining.
Do Only Men Get Inguinal Hernias?
No — women can also develop inguinal hernias, though it’s less common. Here’s how the risk differs:
- In men, the inguinal canal is larger (because of the passage of the spermatic cord), making them more susceptible to hernias in that area.
- In women, the inguinal canal is smaller (containing the round ligament), but a hernia can still occur, especially if there’s increased abdominal pressure, connective tissue weakness, or during pregnancy.
- In fact, a percentage of groin hernias in women are inguinal, though femoral hernias (below the inguinal ligament) are more common in females.
So the notion that inguinal hernias only affect men is a myth — they are just more frequent in men.
How Inguinal Hernias Are Diagnosed
Dr. Tripathy highlights the typical diagnostic pathway:
- Physical Examination — The surgeon examines for bulges in the groin region, asks you to cough/strain to accentuate the hernia.
- Ultrasound / Imaging — In uncertain cases, ultrasound or other imaging (e.g., CT) may help confirm and characterize the hernia.
- Symptom Assessment — Pain, swelling, heaviness, or discomfort while lifting or straining are key indicators.
Treatment: Open Hernia Repair & Alternatives
For inguinal hernias that cause symptoms or risk complications, Dr. Tripathy offers surgical repair. The common method is open inguinal hernia repair, which has strong outcomes when performed by experienced surgeons. More details on this can be found here:
🔗 Open Inguinal Hernia Repair & Procedures
Key points about repair:
- The defect is reinforced (often with mesh) to prevent recurrence.
- Recovery is typically fast, especially with minimally invasive techniques or when there are no complications.
- For small, asymptomatic hernias, watchful waiting may be considered — but consultation with a specialist is essential.
FAQs: Inguinal Hernias & Gender
1. How common are inguinal hernias in women?
They’re much less common than in men, but they do occur — especially under conditions of increased abdominal pressure or tissue weakness.
2. Are symptoms different in women?
Symptoms can be similar — groin pain, a bulge, discomfort when lifting. But diagnosis may be delayed because hernias in women are less expected.
3. Should women with groin pain consider hernia evaluation?
Yes — a specialist should evaluate any unexplained groin pain or swelling in women to rule out hernia, femoral hernia, or other conditions.4. Is surgery riskier in women?
Not necessarily. An experienced surgeon can repair hernias in both men and women with low complication rates.
