Indirect inguinal hernias are more common in babies with testicles. That's because testicles begin developing inside the abdomen and must travel down through the inguinal canal to reach the scrotum. When this canal doesn't close before birth, a hernia can develop. Direct inguinal hernias are also more common in people with testicles. That's because they have a wider inguinal canal than those with ovaries. As a result, over time, the canal is more likely to stretch out and become weak.