Femoral hernias can cause a lump or knot in the thigh, groin pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. They occur when organs press through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle. Emergency medical attention is required if the hernia becomes painful, darkens, or causes severe abdominal pain. Women are more prone to femoral hernias, and they can be prevented by avoiding body strain, managing constipation, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing proper lifting techniques.
Many femoral hernias have no symptoms other than some groin discomfort. If they occur, the most common symptoms of femoral hernia are a lump or knot in the thigh, which may progressively enlarge and swell up, or generalized pain in the groin area. Some patients may also experience fever, nausea and vomiting. All the symptoms of femoral hernia are mainly the body’s reaction to the pressure caused by the abdominal organs straining to leave their muscular cavity.
Of the most common symptoms of a femoral hernia, the most easily detected is the visible swelling that the small intestine produces in the groin area, near the upper thigh. The abdomen is surrounded by an expanse of thin muscle that holds its organs together. Hernias grow when there’s an opening in that wall, either from a tear or a particularly thin, weak spot in the abdominal muscle. The organs in the abdomen then press through the hole, causing the protrusion that is the hernia.
Other femoral hernia symptoms include increased pain near the groin area as the hernia grows and swells. Men can experience scrotal swelling. Often these and other femoral hernia symptoms only appear when the body is put under strain by strenuous activities such as lifting.
There are more serious femoral hernia symptoms that require emergency medical attention. Nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain could be a sign of a blocked bowel. Hernias that become so painful that they cannot be repressed into the abdomen require immediate attention. It’s also serious if the hernia darkens or takes on a red or purple hue.
When the tissue in the femoral hernia becomes blocked, emergency surgery is also required. In most cases, it is the intestine that becomes blocked or incarcerated. It can also become gangrenous or strangle itself in the worst cases. These conditions are typically accompanied by severe abdominal pain.
Femoral hernias are more common in women. In general, they are caused by excessive strain on the abdominal and groin area. Chronic sufferers of constipation or cough are at increased risk of femoral hernias. Heavy lifting and obesity exerted on the body can also be a cause. Men with an enlarged prostate can get the condition from the constant strain of trying to urinate.
The most effective way to prevent a femoral hernia is to avoid straining the body. Managing constipation and maintaining a healthy weight are important. Practicing proper lifting techniques — lifting from the legs instead of the back or arms — is also an effective preventative measure.
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