Can an inguinal hernia also heal by itself?

If an inguinal hernia has been diagnosed, in most cases it should be operated on promptly. Studies have shown that the attempt to let an inguinal hernia heal by itself (conservative procedure) usually fails. In the past, for example, the hernia was treated with an externally applied inguinal ligament with the aim of allowing the hernia to heal by itself.

However, it has been shown that the hernia continues to grow. In addition, parts of the intestine can become trapped in the hernial orifice, resulting in a life-threatening intestinal obstruction. If a patient with an inguinal hernia nevertheless refuses surgery, he or she should at least be examined regularly.

Prognosis

Depending on the surgical method, inguinal hernias occur repeatedly in 2-10% of cases. The lowest recurrence rate is observed in the Shouldice procedure and in laparoscopic techniques. In case of recurrence of an inguinal hernia, which has been operated before, the re-operation is much more difficult.

Implants may also be necessary to close the hernial orifice. In order to avoid hernias, the hernia should not be lifted heavily, especially after inguinal hernia surgery. A strong abdominal wall musculature is a prerequisite to avoid the acquired inguinal hernia.

Causes of inguinal hernia

The cause of acquired hernias is a weak abdominal wall musculature. In most cases, inguinal hernias are caused by lifting too heavy. In congenital inguinal hernias, a layer of the abdominal wall was not completely closed after descent of the testis (the testis is initially attached to the body and descends into the scrotum until birth).

In the normal development of the male fetus, the testicles develop in the abdominal cavity and descend only over time through the abdominal wall and the inguinal canal into the scrotum. Both men and women can be affected by an inguinal hernia. Due to gender-specific differences in the anatomical structure and the structures that pass through the inguinal canal, the types of hernia differ in frequency and type.

In general, men are affected by inguinal hernia about eight to nine times as often as women. This is due to the fact that during the development of the male body the testicles migrate from the abdominal cavity via the inguinal canal into the scrotum. The inguinal canal can therefore be a natural weak point in the abdominal cavity.

In men, an inguinal hernia can also cause the hernial contents (for example, an intestinal loop) to penetrate into the scrotum. This is then a so-called testicular hernia. In women, it is possible that parts of the intestine or an ovary may penetrate through the inguinal canal to the labia majora, but this is relatively rare.

Special gender-related risk factors for an inguinal hernia in women are pregnancies and in men an enlargement of the prostate. A possible complication of an inguinal hernia, which only affects men, is erectile dysfunction, when the hernia causes damage to nerves that run to the genital area. However, the treatment and surgical options do not differ between the sexes.

An inguinal hernia can be prevented to a certain extent by a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity and a balanced diet contribute to the stability of the abdominal wall (muscles and connective tissue). This can protect against a hernia.

Inguinal hernias are often caused by excessive or incorrect physical strain. In order to prevent the occurrence of an inguinal hernia, it is therefore important not to lift too hard. Particularly sudden heavy loads such as when lifting a heavy object quickly bear the risk of provoking an inguinal hernia.

Therefore, you should always proceed slowly when lifting, use aids or carry the load with several persons. Despite the preventive measures mentioned above, many people (especially men) still suffer from inguinal hernia in the course of their lives. It is crucial to have a doctor examine you promptly in case of newly occurring symptoms such as swelling and pulling in the groin. The faster the hernia is detected and treated, the better the chances of recovery.