An inguinal hernia often shows as a lump when the person stands or strains. The lump, or bulge, may go away when the patient lies down. Straining may cause a sharp, steady pain. With a small hernia the affected area may simply appear full. One can often reduce the bulge simply by pushing it back into place.
Surgery can repair most inguinal hernias in a short and simple operation.
The surgeon makes a small cut and pushes the intestine back to its normal position. He or she then repairs and reinforces the weakened muscle. The most common type of inguinal hernia is the scrotal hernia. It is caused by a weakness in the natural ring that allows the testicles to descend into the scrotum before birth. If it does not close fully at birth, the intestines can later slip through it.