Femoral hernia: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

A femoral hernia is a lump that appears on the thigh, due to the displacement of part of the intestine to that region. It is more common in women, usually has no symptoms and is not very frequent. This hernia appears in the femoral canal, which is located just below the groin, in which the femoral artery and some small veins and nerves are present.

The diagnosis of femoral hernia is made through a physical examination performed by the doctor, in which the characteristics of the hernia are observed, such as size and if there is swelling in the region. Usually the femoral hernia, when diagnosed, is monitored by the doctor periodically in order to monitor the symptoms.

Possible causes

Femoral hernia does not have a specific cause, but people who lift a lot of weight, are overweight, smoke, have frequent coughing or chronic constipation are more likely to develop this type of hernia. Femoral hernias are not common, but they happen more frequently in women. Better understand why hernias arise.

Main symptoms of femoral hernia

The femoral hernia is usually asymptomatic, and usually presents only as a protrusion in the thigh close to the groin, but symptoms may appear depending on the size, especially discomfort when lifting, making an effort or carrying weight.

In addition, the hernia can impede blood flow to the intestine, characterizing a severe condition of femoral hernia called strangulation or intestinal obstruction, whose symptoms are:

• Vomiting; Nausea; Stomach pain; Abdominal pain; Excessive gas; Constipation or diarrhea; Cramps.

If the hernia is not removed through surgery, the person may be at risk of life, as there is a compromised blood flow. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, it is important to go to the doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of femoral hernia can be made by the general practitioner through physical examination through observation and palpation of the region. Ultrasonography can also be used to confirm the diagnosis and better observe the hernia.

The differential diagnosis is made for inguinal hernia, which is a lump that appears in the groin, due to the exit of a part of the intestine, and is more frequent in men. Learn more about inguinal hernia.

How to treat femoral hernia

The treatment of femoral hernia is established by the doctor and depends on the size of the hernia and the discomfort felt by the person. If the hernia is small and causes little or no discomfort, it is recommended that there is periodic monitoring by the doctor, always observing if there are symptoms, if there is swelling in the region and if the hernia has increased.

In situations where the hernia is large, causes a lot of discomfort, and the person has symptoms that may be indicative of intestinal strangulation, the indication is to remove the femoral hernia through surgery. After removal, the hernia is unlikely to reappear. See how hernia surgery is done.