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Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Assessment online. A doctor can judge whether a lump is likely to be a hernia and how urgently it needs to be seen; examination, scans and surgery are in person.
- What it is: part of an organ, usually the bowel or fatty tissue, pushing through a weak spot in the muscle wall of the tummy or groin.
- Most common: inguinal hernias in the groin, about 75% of all hernias. Between 27% and 43% of men get a groin hernia in their lifetime, and 3% to 6% of women.
- Treatment: surgery repairs a hernia; a small groin hernia with few symptoms can sometimes be watched instead.
- Emergency: call 112 for a hernia with very bad pain that does not go away, red, purple or dark skin over it, vomiting, or not being able to poo or pass wind.
Do not book a video appointment if a hernia is more swollen than usual with red, purple or dark skin over it, or if you have very bad tummy pain that does not go away, are being sick, or cannot poo or pass wind. These can mean the hernia is stuck and losing its blood supply: call 112 or go to an emergency department. A hernia that is hard, tender and will not go back in needs urgent in-person care.
Can an online doctor help with a hernia?
A hernia cannot be repaired online: it is confirmed by an examination, sometimes with a scan, and repaired with surgery. What a doctor by video can do is go through the lump and your symptoms, tell you whether it is likely to be a hernia and which type, judge how urgently it needs to be seen, and explain whether watching and waiting or a referral to a surgeon makes sense. A hernia that is hard, painful and will not go back in needs urgent in-person care, not a video call.
How an online consultation helps with a hernia
- Is it a hernia?: Where the lump is and what makes it bigger tell the doctor whether it is likely to be a hernia, and which type.
- Urgency made clear: Whether the lump can wait for a routine appointment, needs to be seen soon, or needs 112.
- The right next step: Watching and waiting, a referral to a surgeon, or a scan, and what to tell the specialist.
- Help around surgery: Questions before an operation, and problems with pain or the wound afterwards.
What the doctor checks in an online hernia assessment
The doctor checks first for the signs of a stuck hernia, then for the details that point to the type. The doctor asks about:
- Warning signs: very bad pain, a lump that has become hard, tender or discoloured, being sick, or not being able to poo or pass wind.
- The lump: where it is, when you noticed it, and whether it gets bigger when you cough or strain and smaller when you lie down.
- Pain: a dull ache, a heavy, dragging feeling or sharp pain, and what brings it on.
- Strain: constipation, heavy lifting, long hours standing, and sport.
- Your health: earlier operations on the tummy, a long-lasting cough, pregnancy, weight, and the medicines you take.
Before the call, find a private space with good light. You choose what you show on camera: a lump that appears when you stand up or cough is often easiest to see.
What is a hernia, and what does it feel like?
A hernia is when part of an internal organ, such as the bowel, or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle that holds it in place. Most are in the tummy or groin, and many cause no symptoms. When they do, the signs are:
- a lump or bulge that gets bigger when you cough, sneeze or strain, and smaller or gone when you lie down
- tight, stretched skin over the lump
- an ache, pressure or a heavy, dragging feeling in the groin or leg
- sharp pain when the hernia pushes through
- swelling in the scrotum, with some groin hernias
What does hernia pain feel like?
Pressure, a dull ache, or a sharp pain when the hernia comes through the opening, and some people feel nothing. Large hernias often do not hurt, because the gap in the muscle is stretched. Pain in a small hernia can be a sign that it is being squeezed, so new pain needs a doctor.
What does a hernia look like?
A soft lump under the skin in the groin, near the belly button or near a scar, which may show only when you stand, cough or strain, and go back in when you lie down. Some hernias, such as femoral and hiatus hernias, are too deep to see.
Types of hernia: inguinal, umbilical, femoral and others
Hernias are named after where they appear, and inguinal hernias make up about 3 in 4 of them:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Type | Where | Who gets it | Usual plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inguinal | The groin, sometimes extending into the scrotum | Mostly men: about a quarter of men get one | Surgery if it causes symptoms, or watching and waiting |
| Femoral | The upper inner thigh, near the groin | Rare; far more common in women, especially older women | Repair is almost always recommended straight away |
| Umbilical | At or near the belly button | In adults, linked to obesity, several pregnancies and fluid in the tummy | Surgery is usually recommended |
| Incisional | Through the scar of an earlier operation | People who have had tummy surgery; about 1 in 10 hernias | Assessment by a surgeon |
| Hiatus | The top of the stomach pushes up into the chest | About 1 in 5 people in the US, and half of people over 50 | Often no repair; treatment of reflux |
Umbilical hernia in adults
In adults, umbilical hernias are described as small (about 1 cm), medium (1 to 4 cm) or large (more than 4 cm). They are usually painless but can be uncomfortable when you cough or strain, and unlike in babies, they are unlikely to get better on their own. An epigastric hernia is a similar bulge through the front of the tummy wall, above the belly button.
Is a sports hernia a hernia?
Not really. Nothing pushes through: a sports hernia is usually a tear in a muscle or tendon in the groin from a sudden twisting movement, common in athletes.
What causes a hernia?
A hernia needs a weak spot or opening in the muscle, and pressure to push tissue through it. The weak spot is sometimes present from birth, but most hernias develop over years of strain rather than from a single injury. These make hernias more likely:
- heavy lifting, or long hours standing at work
- a long-lasting cough, or frequent sneezing
- constipation with straining
- earlier operations on the tummy or pelvis
- pregnancy, especially several pregnancies
- obesity, with a body mass index over 30
- smoking, and too little physical activity
Can you prevent a hernia?
Not always, but you can make some types less likely: keep to a healthy weight, be active for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity a week, stop smoking, treat constipation so you do not strain, and see a doctor about a cough that does not get better.
How serious is a hernia, and when should you worry?
Most hernias are not dangerous. The risk is that a hernia gets stuck (incarcerated) and the trapped bowel loses its blood supply (strangulated), which needs emergency surgery within hours and can lead to sepsis and gangrene. Small hernias tend to grow over time, which raises the risk.
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you notice | What it can mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A lump that goes back in when you lie down, with little or no pain | An uncomplicated hernia | See a doctor for an assessment |
| A lump that is getting bigger or does not go away | A hernia that may need repair | See a doctor, who may refer you to a surgeon |
| A hard, tender lump that will not go back in | A hernia that may be stuck | Urgent in-person care |
| Very bad pain that does not go away, being sick, a swollen tummy, no poo or wind | Bowel blocked by the hernia | Call 112 |
| A more swollen lump with red, purple or dark skin | A strangulated hernia | Call 112: surgery is needed within hours |
What are the 5 warning signs of a strangulated hernia?
- Very bad pain at the hernia or in the tummy that does not go away.
- Feeling sick, being sick, or not being able to keep food down.
- A hernia that is more swollen than usual, with red, purple or dark skin around it.
- Not being able to poo or pass wind.
- A high temperature, or numbness over the hernia.
Any of these needs 112. A hard, tender hernia that will not go back in needs urgent in-person care even without them. Femoral hernias are more likely to get stuck, which is why they are usually repaired straight away.
Does a hernia need surgery?
Most hernias eventually need an operation, because they do not heal on their own; groin hernia repair is one of the most common operations in the world, with more than 20 million each year. A groin hernia with few or no symptoms in a man can be watched instead, because the risk of an emergency is low, but about 70% of men who wait need surgery within 5 years. Femoral hernias and adult umbilical hernias are usually repaired.
How hernia surgery is done
- The repair: the bulge is pushed back and the weak spot is closed with stitches, usually reinforced with a thin sheet of mesh, which international guidelines recommend as the first choice for groin hernias.
- Open or keyhole: one larger cut, or several small cuts with a camera. In women with a groin hernia, keyhole repair is suggested where the expertise is available, partly so that a femoral hernia is not missed.
- Anaesthetic: usually general, though some groin repairs are done under local anaesthetic, awake.
- How long: usually 30 to 90 minutes, and most people go home without staying overnight.
Recovery after hernia surgery
Most people are back at work after 1 to 2 weeks, or up to 6 weeks with a job involving heavy lifting, and fully recovered within 4 to 6 weeks. International guidelines advise returning to normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable, and your surgeon will tell you when to start heavy lifting.
Risks of hernia surgery
Complications are uncommon: wound infection, a large bruise, blood clots, and damage to nearby structures. About 10% to 12% of people have lasting groin pain, which usually fades over time, and 10% to 15% of groin hernias come back and need another operation.
What might the doctor recommend for a hernia?
What happens next depends on the type of hernia, your symptoms and your health. This is the framework the doctors use:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you have | Likely first step | Suitable for online care? | When in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| A soft lump that goes back in, little or no pain | Assessment, then a routine surgical opinion | Yes, to assess | For an examination and planning |
| A small groin hernia with few symptoms, in a man | Watching and waiting, with clear warning signs | Yes, to assess | If it grows or starts to hurt |
| A painful hernia, or one that keeps getting bigger | Referral for surgery | Yes, to assess | For an examination and the operation |
| A lump in the upper thigh or groin in a woman | Prompt assessment for a femoral hernia | Yes, to assess | Soon: femoral hernias are usually repaired straight away |
| Heartburn or reflux from a hiatus hernia | Lifestyle changes and medicines for reflux | Yes | If swallowing is difficult, or you vomit blood |
| Pain or a wound problem after hernia surgery | A review of the wound and the pain | Yes | If the wound is red, hot or leaking, or the pain is getting worse |
| A hard, tender lump that will not go back in | Urgent examination | No | Urgent in-person care |
| Very bad pain, vomiting, discoloured skin, or no poo or wind | Emergency surgery may be needed | No | Call 112 now |
Not sure whether a lump is a hernia? A doctor can assess it in one consultation and tell you how urgent it is.
See available times →Hernia treatment and living with a hernia
What you can do yourself
- Avoid straining: keep your poo soft with fibre and fluids.
- Change how you lift, or your work, if the doctor advises it.
- Lose weight if you are overweight, and stop smoking.
- See a doctor about a cough that does not get better.
- Learn the warning signs of a stuck hernia, and call 112 straight away if they appear.
Prescription treatment
A prescription is never issued without a consultation. A hernia is repaired by surgery, in person, and no medicine makes it go away. The doctor may recommend pain relief for discomfort, a laxative if constipation makes you strain, and, for a hiatus hernia, medicines that reduce stomach acid. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
What does not help
Waiting at home with a hernia that has become hard, painful or stuck. Relying on a support belt instead of surgery when surgery is advised: a doctor may suggest a belt to hold the hernia in during some activities, but it does not repair the weak spot. Straining on the toilet, or lifting heavy weights without advice.
Special situations
Women
Groin hernias are less common in women, but femoral hernias are far more common in women than in men, and more likely to get stuck. A painful lump in the upper thigh or groin needs prompt assessment.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, especially several pregnancies, makes hernias more likely. Tell the doctor if you are pregnant, because it changes which scans and treatments are suitable.
Liver disease or fluid in the tummy
Fluid in the tummy can cause an umbilical hernia, and surgery may not be suitable for people who are very unwell, for example with liver disease.
A hernia while travelling in Europe
A hernia that becomes stuck is an emergency wherever you are: call 112. If you are waiting for surgery, carry your referral letter or a note of the type of hernia, so a doctor abroad can act quickly.
Children
Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over. A child who is unwell needs a paediatrician or a local doctor in person, and emergency signs in a child mean 112.
When a hernia is assessed online, and when you need in-person care
Assessed online: a new lump that could be a hernia, how urgent it is, watching and waiting, reflux from a hiatus hernia, questions before surgery, and pain or wound problems afterwards.
In-person care: the examination and any scan that confirm a hernia, every repair operation, a painful lump in the upper thigh or groin, and any hernia that is hard, painful or stuck.
When to get in-person care
Call 112 or go to an emergency department now for:
- very bad pain at a hernia or in your tummy that does not go away
- a hernia that is more swollen than usual, with red, purple or dark skin around it
- being sick or unable to keep food down, with a hernia
- not being able to poo or pass wind, or a swollen tummy
- vomiting blood or material like coffee grounds
Get medical advice the same day for:
- a hernia that has become hard or tender and will not go back in
- pain in or around a hernia
- a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery, with a hernia
- sudden confusion, feeling sick, or constipation, with a hernia
- a new, painful lump in the upper thigh or groin
- a wound after hernia surgery that is red, hot, swollen or leaking
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: daily 7am–11pm CET. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, and the exact price is shown before you pay.
- Speak to a licensed doctor about the lump: say where it is, when you noticed it and what makes it bigger, describe any pain, and mention earlier operations.
- Leave with a plan: what to do, what to take and for how long, and which signs mean you should be seen in person. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
No sign-up needed
Not sure it’s a hernia? Tick every symptom you have to see each condition page that mentions it. It finds the right page, not a diagnosis: a doctor gives you that on a video call.
Tap the body — an area or a point — to browse symptoms anywhere
Similar symptoms, different condition? Hiatus hernia can start the same way. Compare them, or look up any other symptom in the full symptom checker.
Frequently asked questions about hernias
What is a hernia?
A hernia is part of an organ, usually the bowel or fatty tissue, pushing through a weak spot in the muscle that holds it in. Most are in the groin or tummy, as a lump that gets bigger when you cough or strain.
What does a hernia feel like?
Often a dull ache, pressure or a heavy, dragging feeling, and sometimes a sharp pain when it pushes through. Some cause no pain at all, and new pain in a hernia needs a doctor.
What does a hernia look like?
A soft lump in the groin, near the belly button or near a scar, which shows when you stand, cough or strain and goes back when you lie down. Some, such as femoral hernias, are too deep to see.
When should you worry about hernia pain?
Call 112 for very bad pain that does not go away, vomiting, red, purple or dark skin over the hernia, or not being able to poo or pass wind: the hernia may be stuck and losing its blood supply. A hard, tender hernia that will not go back in needs urgent in-person care.
What are the warning signs of a strangulated hernia?
Very bad pain that does not go away, feeling or being sick, a hernia that is more swollen than usual with red, purple or dark skin, not being able to poo or pass wind, and a high temperature or numbness. Any of these needs emergency care.
What is the main cause of a hernia?
A weak spot in the muscle plus pressure that pushes tissue through it. Heavy lifting, a long-lasting cough, straining, pregnancy, obesity and earlier tummy operations make hernias more likely.
How serious is a hernia?
Most hernias are not dangerous, but they tend to grow, and a hernia can get stuck and lose its blood supply. A strangulated hernia needs emergency surgery within hours.
Can a hernia heal on its own?
Hernias in adults rarely go away: an adult umbilical hernia is unlikely to improve without surgery, and groin hernias tend to grow over time. Some small groin hernias can be safely watched, and many hiatus hernias never need repair.
Can a hernia be prevented?
Not always, because some weak spots are present from birth, but the pressure that pushes tissue through them can be reduced: lift with the legs and avoid lifting more than you comfortably can, keep a healthy weight, treat constipation so you do not strain, stop smoking, which weakens tissue and causes the chronic cough behind many hernias, treat a persistent cough or an enlarged prostate that makes you strain, and strengthen the core gradually. After a hernia repair the same habits prevent a recurrence.
Do all hernias need surgery?
No. A groin hernia with few or no symptoms in a man can be watched, though about 70% of men who wait need surgery within 5 years. Femoral hernias and adult umbilical hernias are usually repaired.
How long does it take to recover from hernia surgery?
After hernia surgery, most people are back at work within 1 to 2 weeks, or up to 6 weeks with heavy lifting, and fully recovered within 4 to 6 weeks.
Is it a hernia or a pulled muscle?
A hernia is a soft lump under the skin in the groin, near the belly button or near a scar, which may show only when you stand, cough or strain and goes back in when you lie down. A pulled muscle hurts, but nothing pushes through; a so-called sports hernia is usually a tear in a groin muscle or tendon from a sudden twist, not a true hernia. A doctor can usually tell them apart on camera.
Can an online doctor diagnose a hernia?
A doctor by video can tell you whether a lump is likely to be a hernia, which type, and how urgent it is. An examination in person, sometimes with a scan, confirms it, and the repair is surgery.
- Hernia, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 19 May 2026.
- Inguinal hernia repair, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 28 February 2025.
- Umbilical hernia repair, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 24 November 2025.
- Femoral hernia repair, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 11 January 2022.
- International guidelines for groin hernia management, HerniaSurge Group. Hernia, 2018.
- Hernia, Cleveland Clinic (US), reviewed February 2023.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
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