The first sign of a hernia is usually a lump or bulge under the skin in your abdomen or groin that may become more noticeable when you stand, cough, or strain. Many people also feel pressure, aching, or pain in the same area. Sometimes, the bulge disappears when lying down.
A hernia happens when part of your intestine or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall. While some hernias cause only mild discomfort, others can lead to serious complications if left untreated. That’s why knowing the early signs and symptoms of a hernia is important. Here’s how to recognise a hernia and what to do next.
What Are the First Signs of a Hernia?
These top 5 signs of hernia are usually easy to overlook at first, but catching them early helps prevent complications. Here’s what to watch for:
- A bulge or lump in your abdomen or groin that becomes more noticeable when standing, coughing, or straining.
- Discomfort or pressure at the lump site, which may ease when lying down.
- A heavy or dragging sensation in the groin or lower abdomen.
- Burning or aching pain where the hernia is developing.
- Swelling that comes and goes, especially after activity or lifting something heavy.
Men may notice the bulge extending into the scrotum, while in women, symptoms can be subtler and mainly felt as pelvic or groin pain without a visible lump.
How Can You Tell If You Have a Hernia?
Even if a hernia is not causing pain or discomfort, it will likely create a bulge under your skin where the abdominal wall has pulled. This can be difficult to detect, especially in the inguinal canal in the groin area, where most hernias occur.
In cases like in abdominal hernia, symptoms may be less noticeable in women as it has different signs compared to men. For example, in women, a bulge might not always appear, making the condition more challenging to detect.
The steps below can help if you think you have a hernia, but they should not be relied upon for a diagnosis. If you are concerned, consult a GP.
- Check for a lump or swelling around the pubic bone.
- If you find a lump, take note of its location and lie down.
- If a lump disappears or becomes smaller, it might indicate a hernia.
- Experiencing discomfort when coughing or lifting heavy objects is likely a sign of hernia.
Hernias are often less noticeable when lying down because there is less pressure on the abdominal wall from your internal organs. Even if a lump does not shrink when you lie down, it could still be a hernia or something else. Both are good reasons to consult your doctor.
Hernias can cause sharp pain when your body is under strain. Actions such as coughing, sneezing, and lifting can compress the organ trapped in the abdominal wall.
How to Check for a Hernia at Home?
You can’t fully diagnose a hernia on your own, but there are simple signs you can look out for. At-home hernia checks usually involve looking for a bulge and noticing how your body feels during strain. If you spot a persistent lump or have ongoing discomfort, you should see a doctor.
Steps for a Basic Self-Check:
- Stand in front of a mirror and check your groin, lower abdomen, or around the pubic bone for any swelling or unusual lumps.
- Gently press the spot, especially while standing, coughing, or lifting something heavy. A lump may become more noticeable under pressure.
- Lie down and see if the bulge gets smaller or disappears. Many hernias become less obvious when you’re lying flat.
- Pay attention to pain, pressure, a dragging sensation, or a feeling of fullness. Severe symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or trouble passing urine mean you should seek medical care immediately.
Can a Hernia Cause Back Pain or Stomach Pain?
Yes, a hernia can lead to both back pain and stomach pain, depending on where it develops and which structures are affected. Abdominal hernias often cause discomfort in the stomach area, while some types, like flank hernias, can directly trigger pain in the back. In other cases, pain spreads when the hernia presses on nearby nerves or muscles.
How a Hernia Can Cause Stomach Pain
- Direct pressure – The bulge itself, caused by tissue pushing through the abdominal wall, can create sharp or aching pain.
- Referred pain – Discomfort doesn’t always stay at the bulge site; it can spread to the stomach or surrounding areas.
- Bowel obstruction – If the hernia traps or blocks part of the intestine, it may cause bloating, constipation, and cramping stomach pain.
How a Hernia Can Cause Back Pain
- Nerve irritation – A hernia pressing on nerves may cause pain that radiates to the back, hips, or even legs.
- Flank hernia – This type forms on the side or back of the abdomen and causes pain directly in the back.
- Muscle strain and indirect pressure – The added strain of a hernia can stress surrounding muscles and tissues, leading to back discomfort.
If back or stomach pain is severe, persistent, or paired with nausea, vomiting, or a discoloured bulge, seek medical care immediately.
What are the Hernia Disease Symptoms?
It is crucial to recognise that both males and females can develop inguinal hernias. There is a common misconception that only men experience them, and due to anatomical factors, they are at a higher risk. However, females can also experience inguinal hernias.
Females may be less likely to be diagnosed with this condition because they exhibit different symptoms than males. A noticeable bulge may not be as present in females.
Hernia Symptoms In Men
Men have a significantly higher likelihood of developing a hernia, being eight times more susceptible than women. The symptoms of a hernia in men, particularly in the groin area, can be mistaken for a groin strain due to similar symptoms, such as experiencing pressure or a pulling sensation at the area of the hernia. Men may encounter various symptoms from a hernia, including:
- A visible or noticeable bulge.
- Persistent pain in the affected area.
- Sensation of pressure.
- Pulling sensation in the scrotum around the testicles.
- Experiencing aggravated pain with activities that exert pressure on the area, such as heavy lifting, pushing, or straining.
- Swelling and pain around the testicles, especially if the protruding tissue descends into the scrotum.
- General discomfort in the groin area.
Hernia Symptoms In Women
The inguinal canal in females contains a ligament that supports the uterus, and hernias can develop where the connective tissue from the uterus meets the tissue around the pubic bone. The following are some of the symptoms experienced by women:
- Dull or intense pain.
- Sensation of burning.
- A protrusion at the area of the hernia, although this may not be evident in the case of a groin hernia
- Discomfort that intensifies during physical activity.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Hernia?
At the onset of most hernias, the internal tissue that pushes through the muscle gap is typically fat. However, a section of the bowel can also protrude through the opening. The likelihood of this occurrence is minimal, but if it does happen, emergency repair is occasionally necessary. It’s crucial to detect a hernia before it leads to complications.
The following signs will help you recognise what to watch out for.
- Feeling nauseous, vomiting, or experiencing both.
- Having a fever.
- Suddenly experiencing intensified and rapid-onset pain.
- Noticing a hernia bulge that changes colour to red, purple, or dark.
- Being unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
- Experiencing a painful bulge that doesn’t diminish in size when lying down and resting.
- Experiencing worsening pain.
- Feeling nauseous and vomiting.
- Having difficulty with bowel movements.
- Experiencing abdominal bloating.
- Having an elevated heart rate.
- Feeling nauseous and possibly being constipated.
When to See a Doctor for a Hernia?
Most hernias are not emergencies, but they should always be checked by a GP if you notice a lump, ongoing discomfort, or pressure that worsens with coughing, lifting, or straining.
- A lump in your abdomen or groin.
- Pain or pressure in the area that keeps returning.
- Discomfort that worsens with coughing, straining, or lifting.
See a doctor immediately if:
- Pain is severe and sudden.
- The lump changes colour.
- You feel nauseous, vomit, or cannot pass gas or stool.
- Trouble passing gas or having a bowel movement.
- A firm or tender bulge that cannot be pushed back in.
- Fever or a rapid heartbeat alongside hernia symptoms.
These red-flag symptoms may indicate a strangulated hernia, which is a medical emergency.
Conclusion
Hernias do not have any visible signs on the body but can be uncomfortable for those affected. They occur when a part of the stomach pushes up through an opening in the diaphragm. This can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which may cause symptoms such as heartburn.
Hernia treatments, such as Parastomal hernia repair surgery, are available and can prevent further complications. If a hernia bulge becomes red, purple, or dark, or if you notice any other signs or symptoms of a strangulated hernia, see your doctor right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I check if I have a hernia?
You can do a self-check for hernias at home. Stand in front of a mirror and look for any bulges or lumps in the affected area, especially when you cough or strain. You can also gently feel the area with your fingers to see if there are any abnormal protrusions.
2. What does it feel like to have a hernia?
People with hernias usually feel mild pain, aching, or pressure at the hernia site. The discomfort gets worse with activities that strain the abdomen, like heavy lifting, running, or pushing during bowel movements.
3. Can a hernia get better by itself?
No, a hernia will not heal on its own. If your hernia is not causing you problems, you can probably wait before getting surgery. However, the hernia might get worse over time as the muscle wall in your belly gets weaker and more tissue pushes through.
4. What is the finger test for a hernia?
To perform the finger test, the doctor will place their fingers over the femoral region, the external inguinal ring, and the internal ring and ask the patient to cough. If a bulge or impulse is felt in any of these areas, it could indicate a hernia. If your clinician is unable to find a hernia on examination you may benefit from a scan such as an ultrasound scan or even a CT scan.
5. Do hernias hurt when you touch them?
The area around the hernia may be sensitive to touch, even if there is no visible bulge. Pain can feel like a burning or aching sensation, which may worsen with strain. Activities such as bending down, lifting heavy objects, coughing, or straining during a bowel movement can cause sharp pain from a hernia.
6. Can exercising make a hernia better?
Yes, exercising can be a good way to manage hernias. But if you do the wrong exercises, it could make the hernia worse. So, you can exercise if you have a hernia, but you need to be careful about which exercises you do.
