This page walks through the common hernia symptoms and what a hernia feels like. It covers the signs by location and in women and men, a simple self-check you can try at home, and the warning signs that need urgent help. It is general information from Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, Specialist Surgeon, Brisbane, and it is not a diagnosis. Only an examination by a doctor can confirm whether you have a hernia.
What is a hernia?
A hernia happens when fatty tissue or part of the bowel pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall of your tummy or groin. The classic first sign is a lump or swelling that becomes more obvious when you stand, lift, cough or exercise.
The weak spot can be a natural one, such as the groin canal or the belly button, or an acquired one, such as an old surgical scar. In adults, a hernia does not heal by itself. The symptoms may come and go, but the weakness in the abdominal wall remains, so the bulge tends to return and often enlarges over time.
What does a hernia feel like?
Most hernias feel like a soft lump or a dragging heaviness that comes and goes, often more noticeable by the end of the day. People commonly describe:
- A lump or bulge under the skin.
- A feeling of pressure or heaviness.
- An ache or discomfort that comes and goes.
- Symptoms that worsen with lifting, coughing, straining or exercise.
- A bulge that stands out more when you are upright.
- A sensation of pulling or weakness in the abdominal wall.
Some hernias cause very little discomfort and are noticed only because of a visible lump. Others can be genuinely sore, especially after activity or long periods on your feet. Symptoms often ease when you lie down, because the hernia can slip back inside the abdomen. A hernia that behaves this way is called reducible.
Some small hernias cause an ache or discomfort before any obvious lump appears. That is why persistent symptoms are worth having checked even without a clear bulge.
Signs of a hernia by location
Hernias are named for where they appear, and the location shapes both the symptoms and the repair. Dr Goutham assesses and repairs all of the common abdominal-wall and groin types. Each has its own page.
Groin: inguinal hernia
The most common type. A lump in the groin crease, often with a dragging or heavy feeling that worsens through the day. In men the swelling can extend into the scrotum. See inguinal (groin) hernia.
Upper thigh: femoral hernia
Sits a little lower than an inguinal hernia, just below the groin crease. It can be smaller and less obvious, is more common in women, and carries a higher risk of becoming trapped. See femoral hernia.
Belly button: umbilical hernia
A lump or protruding navel, with swelling or discomfort when you cough or strain. In adults it is more common with extra weight, after pregnancy, and with a long-term cough or constipation. See umbilical (belly button) hernia.
Old scar: incisional hernia
Develops through a previous surgical incision, months or years later. A lump along the line of an old scar that can enlarge over time. See incisional hernia.
Upper midline: epigastric hernia
Between the breastbone and belly button. A small lump, sometimes tender when you press or strain. Repaired in much the same way as an umbilical hernia. See abdominal wall hernia.
Side of the abdomen: spigelian hernia
Less common and harder to spot. The bulge may be subtle, with localised pain on movement. It belongs with the other abdominal wall hernias above.
Came back after repair: recurrent hernia
A new bulge or ache at the site of a previous repair. Recurrence is uncommon with modern mesh repair, but when it happens it needs its own assessment. See recurrent hernia.
Hernia symptoms in women and men
The symptoms are the same in both: a lump, an ache, a heaviness that worsens with standing and straining. What differs is where the hernia is most likely to be.
In men, inguinal hernias are far more common, because the inguinal canal is the path the testicle followed during development and leaves a larger weak spot. A groin hernia in a man can extend into the scrotum, and swelling there is a recognised sign.
In women, a groin lump deserves a second look. Inguinal hernias occur in women too, but femoral hernias are several times more common in women than men, partly because of the shape of the female pelvis. A femoral hernia sits lower, is easy to miss because it can be small, and is more likely to become trapped. A new groin lump in a woman is worth examining rather than watching, whichever type it turns out to be.
Umbilical hernias in adult women are more common after pregnancy. In both sexes, extra weight, a long-term cough, constipation and heavy lifting raise the pressure inside the tummy and make any weak spot more likely to give way.
Try the 60-second hernia self-check
Could this be a hernia?
Answer five quick questions — about a minute. It's here to help you decide whether to get checked. It is not a diagnosis.
1✓Have you noticed a new lump or bulge in your groin, tummy or near an old surgical scar?
2✓Does it become more obvious when you stand, cough, lift or strain?
3✓Do you feel a dragging, heavy or aching sensation in that area?
4✓Does the lump or ache settle when you lie down or rest?
5✓Has it slowly become more noticeable over days or weeks?
However you answered, the simplest next step is a quick assessment — with no pressure to proceed to surgery.
Make an appointment →GP referral →This self-check is general information only and is not a diagnosis. Only an examination by a doctor can confirm whether you have a hernia.
When is a hernia an emergency?
Most hernias are not an emergency. Occasionally a hernia becomes trapped (incarcerated) or loses its blood supply (strangulated), and that needs urgent treatment. Go to your nearest emergency department now, or call 000, if you have:
- Sudden, severe pain in the hernia.
- A lump that becomes hard, very tender or will not push back in.
- Redness or a colour change over the lump.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Tummy bloating, or being unable to pass wind or open your bowels.
These can signal a surgical emergency. Do not wait for a clinic appointment, and never force or push a painful lump back in.
How a hernia is diagnosed
Many hernias can be diagnosed by a physical examination alone. The doctor looks at the area while you stand, then feels over it while you cough or strain to make the bulge more obvious. In some cases an ultrasound or CT scan is used to confirm the diagnosis, assess the size of the hernia, or exclude other causes of pain when nothing can be felt.
Not every lump is a hernia. Other conditions can also cause lumps in the groin or abdominal wall, so a medical examination is needed for an accurate diagnosis rather than a guess from a description.
What happens if I think I have a hernia?
The usual first step is to see your GP, who can examine the area, arrange a scan if needed, and refer you to a surgeon. A GP referral also makes the specialist consultation Medicare-rebatable.
- See your GP: examines the lump, arranges imaging if useful, and refers you to Dr Goutham.
- Consult Dr Goutham: reviews your symptoms, examines the hernia and looks at any scans.
- Your plan: whether repair is advised, and if so whether open, keyhole (laparoscopic) or robotic-assisted, tailored to you.
Not every hernia needs immediate surgery. Some can be safely monitored, a plan called watchful waiting, while others are best repaired before symptoms worsen. Dr Goutham gives you clear, honest advice either way. Many repairs are done as day surgery, with same-day discharge where appropriate, and the hernia surgery page explains what the operation involves.
It is sensible to avoid heavy lifting and straining until the area has been assessed, as these can make a bulge and any discomfort worse. Hernia care here covers inguinal/groin, femoral, umbilical, incisional, ventral, epigastric, spigelian and recurrent abdominal-wall hernias. Dr Goutham does not perform hiatal (paraoesophageal) or parastomal hernia repair — those are referred to upper-GI or colorectal sub-specialists.
Dr Goutham consults and operates across Brisbane, Logan, Redland and Moreton Bay. If you would like a lump or ache looked at, ask your GP for a referral and call the rooms on (07) 3333 5518, or request a consultation online. Most hernias are quick to diagnose and very treatable.
Hernia care from an experienced specialist
- ✓Specialist general & endoscopic surgeon. Australian-trained, GESA-accredited and AHPRA-registered.
- ✓The full range of abdominal-wall hernias. Inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, ventral, epigastric and recurrent.
- ✓Keyhole, open and robotic-assisted options. The right repair matched to your hernia and your body.
- ✓Clear advice, no pressure. Honest guidance on whether surgery is actually needed.
- ✓Care close to home. Consulting and operating across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan.
- ✓A simple referral pathway. Your GP can refer online in a couple of minutes.
Hernia symptoms: frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of a hernia?+
Usually a soft lump or swelling that is more obvious when you stand, lift, cough or strain and flattens when you lie down. Some people notice a dragging, heavy or aching feeling in the groin or tummy before any lump is visible, often worse by the end of the day. A new lump, or a persistent ache in the groin or abdomen, is worth having examined.
What does a hernia feel like to touch?+
Most hernias feel like a soft, sometimes slightly squashy lump under the skin that stands out more when you are upright and can often be pushed gently back in. It may be tender after activity. A lump that has become hard, very tender or will not push back in is different, and needs urgent assessment rather than a clinic appointment.
Can a hernia go away on its own?+
No. In adults, a hernia does not heal by itself. The symptoms may come and go, and the lump may disappear when you lie down, but the weakness in the abdominal wall remains, so the bulge tends to return. Some small, comfortable hernias can be safely monitored, but that is a decision to make with a surgeon after an examination.
Can I have a hernia without a visible lump?+
Yes. Some small hernias cause an ache or discomfort before any obvious lump appears, particularly in the groin. That is why persistent symptoms are worth having checked even without a clear bulge. If nothing can be felt on examination but symptoms continue, an ultrasound or occasionally a CT scan is used to confirm the diagnosis or find another cause.
Is every lump a hernia?+
No. Other conditions can also cause lumps in the groin or abdominal wall, so a medical examination is needed for an accurate diagnosis. A GP can usually tell a hernia from other causes by examining you while you stand and cough, and will arrange an ultrasound if the picture is unclear. Describing a lump over the phone is not enough to say either way.
Is a painful hernia an emergency?+
Not necessarily. Many hernias ache after activity or a long day on your feet. However, sudden severe pain, vomiting, or a hard lump that cannot be pushed back in should be assessed urgently at an emergency department. So should being unable to pass wind or open your bowels. These can signal a trapped or strangulated hernia.
Do all hernias need surgery?+
Not always. The decision depends on your symptoms, the size and type of the hernia, your overall health and the risk of complications. Some hernias can be safely monitored. Others, such as femoral hernias, are usually repaired promptly because of the higher chance of trapping. Dr Goutham explains which applies to you after examining you, with no pressure to proceed.
Should I stop lifting if I think I have a hernia?+
It is sensible to avoid heavy lifting and straining until the area has been assessed, as these can make a bulge and any discomfort worse. Normal daily activity and walking are fine. Your GP or Dr Goutham can advise what activity is safe for you, and if the hernia is work-related the WorkCover pathway can be discussed at the consultation.
Caring for South-East Queensland
Dr Goutham consults and operates across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan — care close to home.
Last medically reviewed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, Specialist Surgeon — September 2026.