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What Is an Inguinoscrotal Hernia?

Andy Josiah
Andy Josiah

Hernias occur when there is a protrusion or bulge detected at an area of the body where it normally should not be, and the abdomen is the most common site of such an occurrence. Among the numerous types of hernia is the inguinoscrotal hernia. Better known as inguinal hernia, it is medical condition characterized by a protrusion at the inguinal canal.

An inguinoscrotal hernia occurs when a section of the small intestine or the fat within the abdomen protrudes through a region of the abdomen’s lower muscles that is rather weak in strength or toughness. Specifically, the fat or small intestine section goes through the ring or opening of the inguinal canal. This is a passage that can be found in the body’s front abdominal wall.

The role of the inguinal canal in the reproductive system depends on the person’s gender. In men, it contains the spermatic cord, which goes from the abdomen to the testes. In women, it carries the round ligament of the uterus.

Men have a higher risk of developing an inguinoscrotal hernia.
Men have a higher risk of developing an inguinoscrotal hernia.

There are two types of inguinoscrotal hernia: direct inguinoscrotal hernia and indirect inguinoscrotal hernia. Direct inguinal hernia is triggered by a degenerative condition of the connective tissue that comprises abdominal muscles, thus causing them to weaken. The indirect version, which is more common, occurs when the inguinal canal fails to close, as it should, after birth, consequently allowing possible entrance by the small intestine or fat.

Inguinoscrotal hernias occur regardless of age group. Men, however, have a higher occurrence of the disorder than women. In fact, direct inguinal hernia appears exclusively in males.

An inguinoscrotal hernia occurs when a section of fat or small intestine protrudes through a section of the abdomen's lower muscles.
An inguinoscrotal hernia occurs when a section of fat or small intestine protrudes through a section of the abdomen's lower muscles.

The inguinoscrotal hernia can be caused by factors such as muscle pulls or strains, heavy lifting, chronic coughing and weight gain. It appears as a protrusion at either side of the groin or both sides of it. In such cases, the patient may feel pressure, sharp pain, or pressure in that area. Some men with inguinoscrotal hernia may also have a swollen scrotum, which is the sack that contains the testes.

Weight gain may cause an inguinoscrotal hernia.
Weight gain may cause an inguinoscrotal hernia.

Physicians usually treat less serious cases of inguinoscrotal hernia by massaging it to make the bulge disappear. This causes the part causing the bulge to return to its original, intended area. More serious cases, which usually concern swelling, growth or being stuck, require surgical treatment using herniorrhaphy or laparoscopy. Left untreated, the condition can cause more severe symptoms such as infection, nausea, vomiting and even death of the small intestine area causing the hernia.

Discussion Comments

kylee07drg

@Oceana – Your post has inspired me to nag my husband about going in for an exam. He has been experiencing hernia symptoms, and I'm not going to let him wait around until his condition worsens.

He gained a lot of weight over the last two years, and he has been sick with bronchitis a couple of times. All that coughing, plus the strain the extra weight has placed on his body, have caused what I think is an inguinoscrotal hernia.

He has a lump in his scrotum, and he said all he feels is pressure down there. That's why he won't go to a doctor. If it doesn't actually cause him pain, he sees no reason.

I'm going to tell him that the area could get infected and he could die from it. I'm sure that will motivate him to do something about it!

Oceana

I would encourage anyone with an inguinoscrotal hernia to have it checked out. My brother nearly died from his, all because he was too stubborn to go to a doctor.

He had noticed bulges around his groin, but he despised having a doctor look at that area. He is a very private person, and he felt violated by anyone poking around down there.

Eventually, it made him sick. He started feeling super nauseated and vomiting. That's when his wife made him go for a checkup.

The doctor found that the area had become infected. He could have died if he hadn't gone for an exam! He had to have surgery the next day.

StarJo

My great-grandfather had a rare type of inguinoscrotal hernia. Unable to afford treatment, he had lived with a swollen scrotum for several years. When he finally couldn't take it anymore, the doctor discovered something interesting.

He underwent surgery to have the mass removed. During his operation, the doctor found that his bladder had herniated into the area!

Miraculously, he hadn't had any issues with urination or infection. The doctor put the bladder back where it belonged and repaired the area.

It seems odd to think of your bladder sticking through anywhere. His was one of only a few cases ever found of this.

lighth0se33

My husband works in a warehouse, and all the employees have to do heavy lifting all day long. This puts a lot of strain on their muscles, and one man recently got an inguinoscrotal hernia because of it.

The guy had bent over to lift a heavy box of canned biscuits, and suddenly he cried out in pain. He asked to be taken to the hospital.

His scrotum had swollen, and he said it looked like he had a third testicle. The doctor told him to massage the area, and he said that if the hernia didn't go away, to come back.

That didn't comfort him very much. Although I'm sure he was relieved that he didn't have to have surgery right away, something was obviously very wrong, and nothing much was being done about it.

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    • Men have a higher risk of developing an inguinoscrotal hernia.
      By: Monkey Business
      Men have a higher risk of developing an inguinoscrotal hernia.
    • An inguinoscrotal hernia occurs when a section of fat or small intestine protrudes through a section of the abdomen's lower muscles.
      By: staras
      An inguinoscrotal hernia occurs when a section of fat or small intestine protrudes through a section of the abdomen's lower muscles.
    • Weight gain may cause an inguinoscrotal hernia.
      By: kmiragaya
      Weight gain may cause an inguinoscrotal hernia.
    • Those with a hernia often feel pain when lifting objects.
      By: ptnphotof
      Those with a hernia often feel pain when lifting objects.
    • Men with an inguinoscrotal hernia may experience a swollen scrotum, which is the sac that contains the testes.
      By: tomschoumakers
      Men with an inguinoscrotal hernia may experience a swollen scrotum, which is the sac that contains the testes.
    • Physicians often treat less serious cases of inguinoscrotal hernia by massaging the abdomen to make the bulge disappear.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Physicians often treat less serious cases of inguinoscrotal hernia by massaging the abdomen to make the bulge disappear.
    • Surgery may be required to treat a hernia.
      By: Tom Wang
      Surgery may be required to treat a hernia.
    • Chronic coughing may result in an inguinoscrotal hernia.
      By: Zsolt Biczó
      Chronic coughing may result in an inguinoscrotal hernia.