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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffRisk factors include:
- Being male. You're far more likely to develop an inguinal hernia if you're male. Also, the vast majority of newborns and children with inguinal hernias are boys.
- Family history. Your risk of inguinal hernia increases if you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with the condition.
- Certain medical conditions. Having cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening disorder that causes severe lung damage and often a chronic cough, makes it more likely you'll develop an inguinal hernia.
- Chronic cough. A chronic cough, such as occurs from smoking, increases your risk of inguinal hernia.
- Chronic constipation. This leads to straining during bowel movements — a common cause of inguinal hernias.
- Excess weight. Being moderately to severely overweight can put extra pressure on your abdomen.
- Pregnancy. This can both weaken the abdominal muscles and cause increased pressure inside your abdomen.
- Certain occupations. Having a job that requires standing for long periods or doing heavy physical labor increases your risk of developing an inguinal hernia.
- Premature birth. Infants who are born sooner than normal are more likely to have inguinal hernias.
- History of hernias. If you've had one inguinal hernia, it's much more likely that you'll eventually develop another — usually on the opposite side.
References
- Inguinal hernia. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/inguinalhernia. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Patient information for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair from SAGES. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI06. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Dedemadi G, et al. Laparoscopic versus open mesh repair for recurrent inguinal hernia: A meta-analysis of outcomes. The American Journal of Surgery. 2010;200:291.
- Ramsook C, et al. Overview of inguinal hernia in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Ramsook C, et al. Overview of treatment for inguinal and femoral hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Ramsook C, et al. Classification and diagnosis of inguinal and femoral hernias. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Goroll AH, et al. Approach to the patient with an external hernia. In: Goroll AH, et al. Primary Care Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:496.
- Matthews RD, et al. Inguinal hernia in the 21st century: An evidence-based review. Current Problems in Surgery. 2008;45:261.
- Jenkins JT, et al. Inguinal hernias. British Medical Journal. 2008;336:269.
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