Femoral hernia is a bulge or lump in the thigh, near the groin, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as discomfort when standing up, abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
A femoral hernia is more common in women and arises due to a weakness of the abdominal muscles in the femoral canal region, allowing part of the abdominal fat and intestine to pass through the muscle, forming the lump.
The treatment for a femoral hernia is performed by a primary care physician or a general surgeon through surgery, as this type of hernia, although rare, presents a higher risk of complications such as incarceration or strangulation of the intestine.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of a femoral hernia are:
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Bulge or lump in the thigh, near the groin;
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Discomfort when standing up;
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Intense abdominal pain;
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Nausea or vomiting;
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Sudden pain in the groin area.
Generally, a femoral hernia does not cause symptoms; however, the lump may be more easily noticed during physical exertion, such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting weights.
Additionally, a femoral hernia can become strangulated or incarcerated and block blood flow to the intestine, characterizing a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, it is important to consult a primary care physician to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment.
Does a femoral hernia hurt?
A femoral hernia does not usually hurt, but it can cause discomfort, especially during physical exertion.
However, when strangulation or incarceration of the femoral hernia occurs, abdominal or groin pain may occur, which appears suddenly and is intense.
How to confirm a diagnosis
The diagnosis of a femoral hernia is made by a primary care physician through a physical exam by observing and palpating the region.
Additionally, the doctor may request imaging tests, such as an abdominal ultrasound, to confirm the diagnosis of the femoral hernia.
Possible causes
The main causes of a femoral hernia are:
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Genetic factors;
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Gender, being more common in women;
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Obesity or being overweight;
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Chronic constipation or chronic cough;
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Pregnancy;
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Lifting weights at the gym or at work.
A femoral hernia usually occurs on the right side, but it can also occur on the left side, and it rarely appears in men.
Is a femoral hernia serious?
A femoral hernia is serious when incarceration or strangulation of the intestine occurs, reducing blood flow to the incarcerated region.
In this case, surgery must be performed immediately, as it can cause necrosis or intestinal obstruction and be life-threatening.
How treatment is performed
Treatment for a femoral hernia should be carried out under the guidance of a primary care physician and varies according to the size of the hernia and the severity of the symptoms.
The main treatments for femoral hernia are:
1. Active surveillance
Active surveillance is regular medical monitoring in cases of very small femoral hernias that do not cause symptoms.
In this way, periodic monitoring by the doctor is recommended, and if the hernia increases in size or causes symptoms, surgery to repair the hernia can be scheduled.
2. Surgery
In situations where the hernia is large and causes significant discomfort, the recommendation is to correct the femoral hernia through surgery, as this type of hernia has a high chance of strangulation.
Additionally, during surgery, the doctor may place a synthetic mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall and prevent the formation of a new hernia.
Possible complications
The main complications of a femoral hernia are:
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Intestinal obstruction due to incarceration of the hernia;
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Necrosis of the strangulated intestine;
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Recurrence of the hernia after surgery.
Additionally, after surgery, complications such as pain, infection at the surgical site, seroma, urinary retention, or inflammation of the testicles in men, called orchitis, may also arise.