If you happen to notice a bulge in the inguinal area it may be caused by the protrusion of a particular tissue through the peritoneal serous. This inflammation increases its dimensions while you stand up and during coughing or sneezing. The condition is called inguinal hernia and sometimes it is only detected during a routine medical control as it causes no specific symptoms.

Symptoms of this kind of hernia are also discomfort or pain in the groin area especially while coughing or lifting, heavy or dragging sensation and even an advanced inflammation and pain in the scrotum, when the hernia is called inguinal-scrotal. A birth defect or weakness of the abdominal wall may resemble into an inguinal hernia in newborns and children. The hernia is mainly detected when the child tends to cough, cry or strain during a normal bowel movement. Also when the child stand up for a longer time, the swollen groin area becomes obvious.

Most of the hernia cases are linked to an increased pressure inside the abdomen or a congenital defect of the abdominal wall. There are still some cases of inguinal hernia that cannot be connected to any obvious cause.

The inguinal hernia is more common in men due to the inguinal canal, where the spermatic cord, the vas deference and the sperm carrying tube enter the scrotum. In women, the inguinal canal is strengthening by a supplementary ligament that helps the uterus to maintain its physiological position. In these cases, inguinal hernias can occur in the place where ligament tissue from the uterus connects with the tissue related to the pubic bone.

The cause of a weaker inguinal canal in men and the increased risk in then of developing inguinal hernia may also be the womb growth of the male fetus. The two testicles develop inside the abdomen and then, after maturation they slide down to the scrotum through the inguinal canal. After birth, the inguinal canal is forced to close almost completely, only allowing the spermatic cord to pass through in its way to the scrotum.

When the inguinal canal is not closed properly due to a body defect, a weak area remains and can develop an inguinal hernia in time. The canal in women is far less likely to close wrongly and allow the appearance of inguinal hernia. Women are more exposed to developing femoral hernia, caused by a weak femoral canal where the femoral vein, artery and nerve pass to the inferior member.

Weakness of the abdominal wall can occur during life after an accident, injury or operation on the abdomen.