Symptoms and Causes Inguinal hernias are protrusions of soft tissue, such as a portion of the intestine, through a weak spot in a muscle, usually in the abdominal wall.
Inguinal hernias occur where the abdomen meets the thigh in the groin region.
Anyone can have an inguinal hernia. Men, women and even children of all ages experience hernias. Children's hernias usually are congenital and are present from the time they're born. Hernias produce different symptoms or feelings. Sometimes you'll notice a protrusion in your groin area between the pubis and the top of the leg or feel pain when you strain during urination or a bowel movement or when you lift a heavy object.