Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Inguinal hernia history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]

Overview

Overview

Symptoms of inguinal hernia include nausea and vomiting, heaviness or dull discomfort in the groin, especially when straining, lifting, coughing, or exercising that improves when resting.

History and Symptoms

History and Symptoms

History

Patients with inguinal hernia may have a positive history of:

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms of inguinal hernia include:[1]

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heaviness or dull discomfort in the groin, especially when straining, lifting, coughing, or exercising that improves when resting.
  • Feelings such as weakness, heaviness, burning, or aching in the groin
  • Pain and swelling around the testicles when the protruding intestine descends into the scrotum

Common symptoms of a strangulated inguinal hernia include:[2]

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Sudden pain that quickly intensifies
  • Turning hernia buldge to red, purple or dark
  • Inability to move bowels or pass gas
References

References

  1. Jenkins JT, O’Dwyer PJ (2008). “Inguinal hernias”. BMJ. 336 (7638): 269–72. doi:10.1136/bmj.39450.428275.AD. PMC 2223000. PMID 18244999.
  2. Berger D (2016). “Evidence-Based Hernia Treatment in Adults”. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 113 (9): 150–7, quiz 158. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0150. PMC 4802357. PMID 26987468.

Template:WH Template:WS

Looking for the patient version?

Back to the patient-friendly article

© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH