May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Hernia Female inguinal hernia Treatment
Female inguinal hernia Treatment |
|
Dear Ask The Doctor: Dear, Doctor. I am a female age 19 and I have an inguinal hernia mostly in the right part of my groin, and I know I have had it for many years now. Over time, it has become a bit more uncomfortable, but still not enough to bother me too much. There is no defined, protruding lump, but the right part of my groin is a bit bigger and I can constantly feel something there. I also feel discomfort and pull seemingly in my intestines near my abdomen/pelvic bone sometimes. When I was maybe age 7, I had inguinal hernia and I had gotten surgery for it. It has come back and been with me for a very long time now, and I haven't told anyone because it isn't affecting me too badly and I don't want to undergo surgery again - I feel like I could live normally. For all this time, the discomfort has been in the right part of my groin, but recently, I have (rarely) felt slight pain in my left part as well, although I still only feel constant discomfort in my right. It's been so many years now and it doesn't seem to have gotten very bad at all. I know I can definitely feel it, but it is not painful, and I have seen pictures of other female inguinal hernias but mine does not look the same at all. The surface is still flat, it is just a bit larger, and it is very hard. When I press on that area with my hand, it is very uncomfortable. Should I tell a doctor and have surgery? I just don't want my parents to pay for it again and I don't want scars. What will happen if I continue to wait? I have already waited for so long. Is it dangerous? How will the procedure work? Where will I get scars? Thank you so much. I very much appreciate this and you. Dear Katie: The first thing to do is confirm that you actually have bilateral (both sides) groin hernias. Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin are often mistaken for hernias. If they are both hernias there are a several surgical techniques that can be used to repair them. Laparoscopy ( use of special camera and surgical instruments) offers a minimal scarring and quick recovery for hernia repairs. If hernias are left untreated they can become complicated causing severe pain and requiring major abdominal surgery. It is best to have the hernias treated before any complication develops
|
|
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 June 2010 ) |
|
|
|
|
