# Is this a hernia? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 10, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449 "2003-11-10T19:12:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Headcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@Headcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headcoat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/1 "2003-11-10T19:12:34Z")
About 4 inches diagnonally above the uhh base of my groin was a tiny bump that popped up about 2 weeks ago. It felt kind of like a knot in my tendon, and was slightly sensitive if pushed. But it has steadily gotten bigger, now slightly visible as a protrusion under my skin (it is an oval about a half inch). It is also more sensitive, feels like a bruise if I squeeze it. Is this a hernia? If not, what is it? Should I see a doctor? any input appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/2 "2003-11-10T19:28:00Z")
It has been there at least two weeks and is getting bigger and more sensitive? Probably a hernia, but regardless you should see a doctor. I’d hate to find out that you waited too long to remove something malignant that could have been taken care of a couple of weeks ago with relative ease. **Arnold voice**** GO ! GO NOW!** wishya well ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/3 "2003-11-11T06:05:50Z")
damn coding… that was supposed to be in y’alls Governator’s voice. [Arnold on] **GO! GO NOW** [/Arnold off] ---
**Author:** ![Triss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Triss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triss)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/4 "2003-11-11T06:36:33Z")
Hm. IANA doctor, or any other kind of medical professional, but: It does sound like it could be an [Inguinal hernia](http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/inguinalhernia/index.htm). Both of my sons were born with one of these, which is why I know anything about it all. Surgery repaired them with no problems. The link explains the potential consequences of allowing it to develop into a severe case. But you won’t know for sure until you GO SEE A DOCTOR. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/5 "2003-11-11T07:07:25Z")
Ok, stand up, drop trou and stand directly in front of the monitor. (reaching through cyberspace to prod) look to the right and cough. (Prod, prod.) Now, look to the left and cough. (prod, prod again…) Looks like a hernia from here, but it’s really not my specialty. I’m referring you to your general practitioner. Have them call me if they need a copy of my records. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/6 "2003-11-11T08:09:06Z")
If you can push it in with little discomfort and it pops out again it’s an Inguinal hernia, as **Triss** says. Had one myself about a year ago. Simple op, they put in a shield made of plastic mesh to strengthen it from now on. Apparently males are especially subject to them, due to the track left by the descent of the testicles. That’s what my doc told me anyway. ---
**Author:** ![nisosbar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@nisosbar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nisosbar)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/7 "2003-12-02T03:21:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndrewT \* > \*\*If you can push it in with little discomfort and it pops out again it’s an Inguinal hernia, as **Triss** says. Had one myself about a year ago. Simple op, they put in a shield made of plastic mesh to strengthen it from now on. > > Apparently males are especially subject to them, due to the track left by the descent of the testicles. That’s what my doc told me anyway. \*\* WOW! That’s interesting … so if you have big balls, you are probably more likely to get one. ---
**Author:** ![greenphan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@greenphan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenphan)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-hernia/212449/8 "2003-12-02T06:44:41Z")
That sounds like a description of the hernia I had several years ago. They’re relatively easy to fix, as others have said, but make sure no cats jump on your lap while recuperating. No amount of Vicodin will ease the pain you’ll feel for the next few hours.