Find out about the most common types and treatment methods that work best for hernias in men and women.
Hernias occur when the organ or tissue bulges through a weak spot in the wall of the muscle that holds it in. Inguinal hernias (like groin hernias) occur when abdominal contents usually fat or part of the small intestine bulge all through a weak area of the lower abdominal wall into the inguinal canal in the groin region. Inguinal hernias can occur in both men and women; they are much more common in men since men usually have a small hole in the groin muscles so that blood vessels and the spermatic cord can move through the testicles.
A femoral hernia, on the other hand, occurs when a part of the intestine pokes through a damaged region of the upper thigh muscle just below the groin. Femoral hernias are more common in women than in men.
An umbilical hernia arises when the tissue lining the abdomen protrudes into the area of the belly button. Women get extra umbilical hernias because of pregnancy; it’s about stretching the abdominal wall so that we see more of those in women during childbearing years. Nevertheless, as people grow older, umbilical hernias tend to be reasonably frequent between men and women.
Hiatal hernias, which occur due to stomach bulges up into the chest cavity through the opening in the diaphragm, older women are at slightly higher risk, mainly if they are obese.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hernias in both men and women
Hernia often has similar symptoms for both men and women — a bulge or swelling in the groin or pelvis that is accompanied by discomfort. The telltale sign for most inguinal hernias is achy ness or dull pain, particularly when lifting, walking, or moving in and out of a car. People with femoral hernias, on the other hand, usually have pain towards the inner side of the leg, often radiating down the front of the leg.
Gender Differences in Treatment
Since hernias typically do not heal on their own, surgery is often required to repair them. With open surgery, the surgeon cuts into the body at the location of the hernia, puts the protruding tissue back where it belongs, and then sutures the weakened muscle wall back altogether (often implanting mesh for extra support). Mesh is a reinforcement that is required for both men and women.
With laparoscopic surgery, a surgeon advises hernia repairs using a telescope-like tool inserted through tiny incisions on the belly button.