Femoral Hernia
They are relatively uncommon (they account for 2% of all hernias and 6% of all groin hernias, the other 94% are inguinal), more likely to occur in women than in men... and are often confused with inguinal hernias by both patients and doctors - Hernia.org
HWN Suggests
Stop Press: Women Get Hernias Too!
As hernias are much more common in men than in women... it is not surprising that some people think that women don’t get them at all. But, of course, they still can...
The lump with a femoral hernia is lower down, in the groin crease, and it is often more difficult to reduce and so they tend to be more uncomfortable and will usually end up being repaired. As with inguinal hernias there is a potential weakness (the femoral canal) just next to the main blood vessels that go into the leg (the femoral artery and vein).
In women the pelvis is wider in this area, so the canal is bigger, and it is this anatomical difference that leads to the higher number of femoral hernias in…
Articles of Interest
Groin Hernias in Women—A Review of the Literature
To date, there are few studies and no systematic reviews focusing specifically on groin hernia in women. Most of the existing knowledge comes from registry data.
Inguinal and femoral hernias in women
The treatment of inguinal hernias is sometimes different in women than in men. Doctors usually recommend surgery. This is because women who have an inguinal hernia are more likely to have a "hidden" femoral hernia too. The risk of complications is greater with femoral hernias.
Resources
Hernia.org
They are relatively uncommon (they account for 2% of all hernias and 6% of all groin hernias, the other 94% are inguinal), more likely to occur in women than in men (70% of femoral hernias occur in women, probably because of their wider pelvis making the femoral canal slightly larger) and are often confused with inguinal hernias by both patients and doctors.
Healthily
A femoral hernia appears as a painful lump the size of a large grape in the inner upper part of the thigh or groin. The lump can often be pushed back in or will disappear when you lie down. Coughing or straining may make the lump appear.
NHS
A femoral hernia is an uncommon type of hernia. Femoral hernias sometimes appear as a painful lump in the inner upper part of the thigh or groin. The lump can often be pushed back in or disappears when you lie down. Coughing or straining may make the lump appear.
StatPearls
Both femoral and inguinal hernias occur more often on the right side. This is likely due to a developmental delay in closure of the processus vaginalis after the normal slower descent of the right testis during fetal development.
