Life is unpredictable, especially when it comes to our health. Sometimes, even when we’re doing everything right, unexpected conditions sneak up on us. One such condition is a femoral hernia. It’s not very common, and it often shows up without much warning. For many women, it goes unnoticed until it causes real trouble. And that’s exactly what makes it so important to talk about.
Femoral hernias can be tricky. They rarely show the typical signs we expect, like a visible lump. But just because they’re quiet doesn’t mean they’re harmless. If not treated, they can lead to serious complications like incarceration (where tissue gets stuck) or strangulation (when blood supply is cut off). While they make up only about 5% of all abdominal hernias, femoral hernias occur three times more often in women than in men, largely because of the unique shape and structure of the female pelvis.
Let’s take a closer look at what femoral hernias are and why women are more vulnerable. Dr Amita Jain, a leading laparoscopic surgeon and one of the best specialist doctors and surgeons for hernia treatment in Delhi and India, explains what femoral hernias are and how they pose a risk to women more than men in this article.
What is a Femoral Hernia?
Muscles usually keep your organs in place, but sometimes strain can cause intra-abdominal tissues to push through weak spots. When this occurs in the femoral canal, it’s called a femoral hernia or a femorocele, which appears as a bulge near the groin. The femoral canal holds the femoral artery, veins, and nerves below the inguinal ligament.
Women are more prone to Femoral hernia. While most don’t show symptoms, they can become serious if they block blood flow to the intestines, leading to a strangulated hernia. This is a medical emergency, requiring immediate surgery.
Causes
While the exact cause of a femoral hernia is not always known, it often results from increased pressure on a weakened area of the muscle wall near the groin or inner thigh. Some individuals may be born with a naturally weak muscle structure in this region, making them more susceptible. Contributing factors that can increase abdominal pressure and lead to a femoral hernia include:
- Lifting or pushing heavy objects
- Persistent or severe coughing
- Straining during urination or bowel movements
- Childbirth
- Obesity
- Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen)
- Peritoneal dialysis (a treatment for kidney disease)
These conditions can gradually weaken the muscle wall, allowing internal tissue to push through and form a hernia.
Signs and Symptoms
Femoral hernias often appear as a small lump in the groin and are frequently asymptomatic. About 30% present as emergencies due to obstruction or strangulation. Small hernias may go unnoticed, while larger ones can cause groin or hip discomfort.
Signs include:
- Groin bulge near the upper thigh
- Pain with lifting or straining
- Hip discomfort
- Sudden pain, nausea, or vomiting (emergency signs)
Why are women more prone to Femoral Hernia?
The female pelvis is wider than that of a male. This anatomical difference creates a wider femoral canal, making it more susceptible to a hernia. The femoral canal is a narrow space in the groin area through which the femoral artery, vein, and nerve pass.
While Femoral hernias are more common in adults, and older women are at higher risk due to age-related weakening of the abdominal wall.
Inguinal and femoral hernias are often confused due to their proximity and similar symptoms. However, they differ anatomically. Inguinal hernias involve abdominal contents entering the inguinal canal, while femoral hernias protrude through the femoral canal, below the inguinal ligament. Femoral hernias, more common in women, carry higher risks of complications and appear as bulges below the ligament.
Treatment
Femoral hernias can be treated in two ways. Open surgery uses a large cut to push the organ back and close the wound with stitches. Recovery takes longer. Laparoscopy is less invasive and uses small cuts and special tools. It causes less bleeding, faster healing, and less pain after surgery, but it is a more complex method.
In a nutshell, femoral hernias are rare but potentially dangerous, especially for women due to anatomical differences. Early detection is key, as untreated hernias can lead to life-threatening complications. Understanding the risks and symptoms empowers women to seek timely medical care and choose the best treatment for long-term health.
Dr Amita Jain is one of India’s most distinguished and experienced female surgeons, known for her unmatched expertise in general and laparoscopic surgery. With over 29 years of surgical excellence, Dr Amita Jain has built a reputation for precision, compassionate care, and advanced surgical techniques.
Dr Amita Jain has successfully performed a wide range of complex general surgeries, including both open and minimally invasive procedures, with a strong focus on trauma care, onco-surgical techniques, and reconstructive surgeries. Her areas of specialisation include (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor of Surgery at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt. In 1994, she was commissioned asa Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior General and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Rainbow Children Hospitals (Malviya Nagar, Delhi), Artemis Lite: Multi-Speciality Care Hospital (New Friends Colony, New Delhi) and at Rosewalk – Luxury Maternity Hospital in Delhi (Panchsheel Park, Delhi)
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