About the condition
Inguinal Hernia
A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. The most common types of hernia are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach).
How common is an inguinal hernia?
In Australia, around 45,000 hernia procedures are performed each year,¹ with inguinal and femoral repairs being the most commonly performed hernia surgeries.¹
How does an inguinal hernia occur?
Some hernias may be acquired hernias while others are caused by a congenital weakness, which means a weakness that one was born with.
Treatment options
Your doctor may first want to simply monitor your hernia for possible complications. This approach is called ‘watchful waiting.2 However, in some cases, patients will have to undergo surgical repair as the hernia will not heal itself.
Frequently asked questions
Find the answers you’re looking for on our Frequently Asked Questions page.