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Questions to Ask General Surgeon
I suggest you search this forum for discussions about women’s hernias. There is a lot more written than I can repeat on this thread.
You are correct that women’s hernias are often overlooked. This is because the presentation and findings of inguinal hernias are often different among women vs men.
Symptoms range from groin pain to pain radiating around the back, into the vagina, down the upper thigh or inner thigh. It is worse during periods. Nausea and bloating may be notable. It’s worse at the end of the day, best with lying flat.
If you have point tenderness at the internal ring when you are being examined, that is the most sensitive finding predictive of hernias among women. We reported in our study that 87% of women with chronic pelvic pain and this finding on exam ended up having an inguinal hernia, and surgery will cure their pain.
A dynamic ultrasound or MRI pelvis will help confirm this diagnosis prior to surgery.
In my experience, a skilled surgeon who will listen to your story as oppose to rely on typical exam findings seen among men, will suit you fine.