You think only guys get hernias? Well, it may time to rethink this assumption. Even though hernias (the protrusion of an organ through the cavity that surrounds it) aren’t as common as they are in men, they’re still a frequent source of chronic pelvic pain in women.
The key is the kind of hernia. One type, known as occult inguinal hernias, i.e. a groin hernia, is more common in women.
Medical experts acknowledge that because several organ systems are involved in occult inguinal hernias, the diagnosis can be confusing. The primary symptom, groin pain, is commonly referred to by patients as ovarian pain. Because of an increase in abdominal pain caused by the hernia, other symptoms, such as pain with bowel movements, full bladder, or discomfort during intercourse, may increase.
Inguinal hernias could be caused by excessive lower abdominal pressure triggered by obesity, chronic coughing spells, chronic constipation or extreme physical exertion.
Diagnosis of this kind of hernia in women relies almost exclusively on a manual examination by your doctor. Thanks to the small size of these hernias and because of the natural body fat around it, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging aren’t good diagnostic tools.
