What causes an inguinal hernia?
There is often no obvious cause of a hernia. A hernia occurs when an organ within the abdomen protrudes through a weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall that holds the abdominal organs in place. In men, a hernia can develop at the point where the spermatic cord passes out of the abdomen into the scrotum. Depending on the location of the defect, the hernia may create a bulge in the groin area or the small intestine can descend into the scrotum. Inguinal hernias occur less often in women than men.
