Orthopedics Sports Injuries How Hernias Present in Women By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 23, 2022 Medically reviewed by Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD Medically reviewed by Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD LinkedIn Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD, is a board-certified, double-fellowship Orthopedic Surgeon at Kaiser Permanente in Georgia. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Sports hernias can cause severe bouts of abdominal and pelvic pain. If you have female biology, it may be hard for your healthcare provider to diagnose a hernia. It may take months or years for you to get the correct diagnosis. Hernias occur when part of the abdominal wall becomes thin, weak, or separated. That lets your internal organs push through. This article looks at how hernia symptoms are different in biological females and how hernias are diagnosed and treated. Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images Hernia Symptoms Healthcare providers are used to hernias that cause a bulge. In those with female biology, hernias are often smaller and deeper in the body. That makes them less visible. Your hernias may cause chronic, deep pelvic pain. You may also have a stabbing pain that comes on quickly and lingers. Research suggests these symptoms often point healthcare providers in the wrong direction. That leads to misdiagnoses, such as: Endometriosis Cysts in the reproductive organs Fibroid tumors Sports Hernia Symptoms Recap People with female biology tend to have smaller, deeper hernias than those with male biology. They often don't have the tell-tale bulge. Pain can be chronic and severe. Misdiagnoses are common. Diagnosis Knowing your symptoms may be unusual can help you get a correct diagnosis easier. Be as specific as you can when describing your hernia pain. It may be: BurningPinchingShooting A good description means it's more likely that your healthcare provider will look in the right direction. It also helps to explain when it started and what makes it worse. Hernias often get worse with: ExerciseLifting weightsCoughingLaughingStraining to defecate To check for a hernia, your healthcare provider will feel for a hernia while you sit, stand, or cough. They may order imaging, such as: Ultrasound Computed tomography (CT) scan Endoscopy (a camera on a flexible tube used to see inside your esophagus and stomach) Recap Be specific when describing your pain and what makes it worse. A hernia diagnosis is generally made with a physical exam and possibly imaging. Treatment It's typical to start with conservative hernia treatments. These include pain medications and physical therapy. Physical therapists often use myofascial release techniques. That can ease muscle spasms that make hernia pain worse. If that fails, laparoscopic surgery is an option. Its goal is to repair the weak area of your abdominal wall. Most people heal quickly from this surgery. You may be back to your regular activities in a week or two. Summary Hernias are weak areas of the abdominal wall. The weakness lets organs protrude through it. People with female biology often have smaller, deeper hernias. Not all healthcare providers know this. So misdiagnoses are common. Be specific about your pain and what makes it worse. That plus a physical exam and possibly imaging can get you diagnosed correctly. Treatment is usually pain medicine, physical therapy, or surgery. A Word From Verywell If you've been diagnosed with something other than a hernia and treatments aren't working, suggest a hernia to your provider. The diagnostic process is fairly simple, so they can confirm or rule out a hernia without much trouble. Frequently Asked Questions Are pregnancy hernias common? No, they're not. Three types of hernia are common in pregnancy:Umbilical herniaVentral herniaInguinal herniaUmbilical hernias are the most common. But only about 0.08% of pregnant people get them. Learn More: How Umbilical Hernias Are Treated Can an inguinal hernia go away on its own? No, it won't. An inguinal (groin) hernia doesn't need treatment if it's not causing problems. But if you want it to go away, you'll need surgery. Learn More: All About Surgery for Inguinal Hernias What are signs that a hernia is an emergency? Strangulated hernias are a medical emergency. They can cause tissue death. Symptoms include:The hernia bulge not shrinking when you lie downDeep red or purple tissuesOther danger signs include:Worsening painNauseaDifficulty with bowel movementsBloatingFeverA racing heart Learn More: All About Necrotic Tissue Death 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Köckerling F, Koch A, Lorenz R. Groin hernias in women—a review of the literature. Front Surg. 2019;6:4. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2019.00004 Kulacoglu H. Umbilical hernia repair and pregnancy: before, during, after... Front Surg. 2018;5:1. Published 2018 Jan 29. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2018.00001 University of Michigan Health. Inguinal hernia: Should I have surgery now, or should I wait? Johns Hopkins Medicine. How to tell if you have a hernia. Additional Reading Farber AJ, Wilckens JH. Sports hernia: diagnosis and therapeutic approach. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007;15(8):507-14. doi:10.5435/00124635-200708000-00007 Metzger DA. Hernias in women: uncommon or unrecognized? Laparoscopy Today. 2004;3(1):8–10 By Elizabeth Quinn Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit