You have an inguinal defect, but not a hernia at this time.

You’re likely to have one in future, but I can’t tell when.

Unfortunately I know nothing you can do to prevent that, except perhaps protecting your inguinal area when coughing and straining. Coughing in horizontal position when possible may be safe.

If your hernia is like mine, which also started like that, you’ll feel pain around your inguinal area months before it shows up (it may seem hip pain).

Sometimes there can be some premonitory symptoms and you were very wise admitting that could be a hernia.