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Conditions We Treat: Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. An inguinal hernia occurs in the groin area, where a section of intestine pushes through a weak spot in the inguinal canal—a triangle-shaped opening between layers of abdominal muscle.
Inguinal Hernia: What You Need to Know

- Inguinal hernias usually present as a painful bulge in the groin region and can extend into the scrotum in males.
- In women, groin hernias are rare, and diagnosis is often missed or misdiagnosed as gynecologic pain. Imaging studies are often necessary to make a definitive diagnosis.
- Not all inguinal hernias need to be repaired, but all hernia repairs require surgery. Small hernias that are not strangulated—blocking blood supply to the intestine—and are causing bowel obstruction or significant pain do not necessarily require surgery or emergency surgical repair.
Patient Resources
Why choose Johns Hopkins for inguinal hernias?
Our Physicians
Rely on the expertise of our surgeons to diagnose and repair inguinal hernias.
Our Patient Education

Dr. Hien Nguyen, director of the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Hernia Center, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about common hernias.