Inguinal Hernia: How Long Can You Wait to Have Surgery? 

Medically reviewed by Dr. James Buwen, DO

Key Takeaways

• Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia, accounting for 75% of all abdominal wall hernias. Men face roughly a 25% lifetime risk.²
• There are two types: direct (develops in adults from gradual abdominal wall weakening) and indirect (present from birth, and more likely to become trapped to the point where blood supply is cut off).
• Inguinal hernias never go away on their own. They can be safely monitored if they are small and cause little to no pain, but surgery is the only long-term solution.
• New Jersey Bariatric Center® 's board-certified surgeons specialize in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic hernia repair for less pain and faster recovery.
• Seek emergency care immediately if you have severe pain over the inguinal hernia bulge, redness, nausea or vomiting, or can't push the hernia back in. These are signs of a life-threatening complication.

Most of our patients who discover the inguinal hernia bulge wonder how serious it is and how long they can wait to have surgery. The short answer: Inguinal hernias aren’t always serious, and there is no set timeline for having hernia surgery. They can be monitored carefully if they are small and cause little to no pain. However, they tend to grow larger, and the pain worsens over time. They also never go away on their own, and surgery is the only long-term solution for them. 

Not sure if the bulge in your groin area is an inguinal hernia, or want a second opinion on your diagnosis? Our team at New Jersey Bariatric Center® created this comprehensive guide on what you need to know and when you should seek emergency care. 

What is an Inguinal Hernia?

An inguinal hernia is when the contents of the abdomen push through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall.¹ They are the most common type of hernia that occurs near the groin area. Increased abdominal pressure from heavy lifting, chronic coughing, constipation, or strenuous activity can contribute to their development. According to studies, approximately 75% of all abdominal wall hernias are inguinal. The lifetime risk of development is estimated at 25% in males and less than 2% in females.² 

Not all inguinal hernias have symptoms. In some cases, symptoms may come and go. 

Common symptoms include:

• Bulge in your groin area on either side of your pubic bone. It can travel to your scrotum or labia.
• Feeling of pressure or heaviness in your groin.
• Pain in your groin, especially when lifting, coughing, or bending over.
• Burning, aching, or pinching discomfort that may radiate into the inner thigh, scrotum, or pelvis.

How Serious is an Inguinal Hernia? 

While an inguinal hernia isn’t always an emergency, it does not go away on its own. It can worsen and become serious over time. This applies to all hernias, as they carry a risk of life-threatening complications and surgical repair becomes necessary.  

Delaying treatment frequently results in complications, such as the development of an incarcerated hernia (trapped bulging tissue that can’t be pushed back) or a strangulated hernia (blood supply to the trapped tissue is cut off). This can cause bowel obstruction, severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. It also leads to a life-threatening medical emergency.  

Types of Inguinal Hernias

There are two types, direct and indirect:

The indirect is the most common type of the two. Compared to direct, they pose a greater threat of becoming trapped and having their blood supply cut off.³ This increased risk exists because it exits through the deep inguinal ring and passes through the inguinal canal, where tissue can easily become trapped.

Can You Live With an Inguinal Hernia Without Surgery?

You can live with an inguinal hernia without surgery under doctor supervision and careful monitoring. However, the pain can worsen over time. It’s important to keep in mind that hernias never heal on their own and the only long-term solution is surgical repair. At New Jersey Bariatric Center®, our surgical team provides precise, permanent solutions for all hernia types that provide faster recovery times and reduced pain.

When An Inguinal Hernia Becomes An Emergency

You must seek emergency care if the hernia becomes trapped or very tightly trapped, cutting off its blood supply. Watch for warning signs that indicate when you need medical attention, such as:

• Severe, continuous pain directly over the bulge or lump itself.
• Redness or tenderness at the hernia site.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Inability to push the hernia back in.
• Constipation or inability to pass gas. 

What to Expect at NJBC for Hernia Treatment

Our board-certified hernia surgeons specialize in minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic hernia surgery to help you return to your daily life with less pain and a faster recovery. By prioritizing small incisions and the latest surgical technology, we focus on strengthening the abdominal wall while minimizing scarring and downtime, ensuring you receive the highest standard of surgical care. 

NJBC hernia procedures return the protrusion to be behind the muscle, tighten the weakened muscle area, and reinforce it with surgical mesh. Patients experience quicker return to normal activities, less post-operative pain, and shorter hospital stays. 

Ready to take the next step in your inguinal hernia treatment?

Schedule Your Consultation Today

FAQs about Inguinal Hernia

• What is the most common cause of an inguinal hernia?

The most common cause of an inguinal hernia is a combination of a weak spot in the abdominal wall and increased pressure within the abdomen.⁴ ⁵

• What is the difference between direct and indirect inguinal hernia?

The difference between direct and indirect inguinal hernia is that the direct passes through the inguinal canal wall and develops in adults. The indirect enters the inguinal canal from the top and generally occurs during fetal development. An indirect is at higher risk of becoming strangulated. 

• What are my physical limitations with an inguinal hernia?

You should not do intense core exercises, such as sit-ups, crunches, planks, etc. You should not lift heavy objects unless you have to. If you must, always bend from your knees, not your waist. It’s important that you maintain a balanced diet as well to prevent constipation and avoid straining during bowel movements.⁴ 

• How long can you leave an inguinal hernia untreated?

There isn’t a set timeline for how long you can leave an inguinal hernia untreated. If it is small and causes little to no pain, you can safely monitor it. However, if you experience any of the warning signs, such as severe or continuous pain directly over the bulge itself, redness or tenderness at the hernia site, nausea or vomiting, etc., then you should seek emergency care immediately.    

• How painful is inguinal hernia surgery?

Inguinal hernia surgery is not painful because anesthesia is used. However, the type of anesthesia used for each procedure is different. If your surgeon is performing an open hernia surgery, it can often be performed with local anesthesia, where the patient is awake but relaxed, or regional anesthesia, which numbs the surgical site while you remain conscious. If they perform a laparoscopic or minimally invasive hernia surgery, it requires general anesthesia to keep you asleep throughout the operation. New Jersey Bariatric Center® ’s surgeons specialize in laparoscopic and robotic hernia surgery. This approach leads to a faster recovery from minimized scarring and less pain. 

Sources

1. "Inguinal Hernia ." National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Sept. 2019, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/inguinal-hernia#what.
2. "Hernia Repair Surgery." Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 21 Sept. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/17967-hernia-repair-surgery.
3. Kamat, Manmohan et al. “A rare encounter of obstructed direct inguinal hernia of sliding variety.” International journal of surgery case reports vol. 49 (2018): 209-214. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2018.06.025 
4. "Inguinal Hernia: Types, Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment." Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 26 Apr. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16266-inguinal-hernia.   
5. "Inguinal hernia - Symptoms & causes." Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Staff, 10 Sept. 2025, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inguinal-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351547. 
6. DeMuro (MD), Jonas. "Inguinal hernia repair." MedlinePlus, edited by David C. Dugdale (MD) and Brenda Conaway: National Library of Medicine, [updated 2025 Jan 21; cited 2026 Jul. 10]. Available from: medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007406.htm.