Femoral (thigh) hernia
A femoral hernia is a bulge just below the groin, on the inner side of the upper thigh. It develops in a narrow canal alongside the femoral vessels and affects women considerably more often. Precisely because of its narrow opening, it has one of the highest strangulation risks of all hernias – which is why we recommend operating on it as soon as possible after diagnosis.
- Operated by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery
- Laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis – home the same day
- A fast consultation appointment with no referral and no waiting lists
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
What a femoral hernia is
A femoral hernia develops in the femoral canal – a narrow space below the groin ligament through which the femoral vessels pass. Through this canal, a sac of the abdominal lining containing fatty tissue or part of the intestine can be pushed under the skin. On the outside it shows as a smaller bulge below the groin, which is easy to overlook.
Unlike a groin hernia, it affects women more often, especially after several pregnancies or significant weight loss. The opening of a femoral hernia is narrow and firm, so the contents of the sac pinch easily – the risk of strangulation is higher than with other hernias. For this reason, the standard recommendation is to operate on a femoral hernia as soon as possible rather than watch it.
At our clinic we repair it laparoscopically with mesh on a day-surgery basis.
Symptoms of a femoral hernia
The signs tend to be subtler than with a groin hernia
- A smaller bulge or lump just below the groin, on the inner side of the thigh
- A dragging feeling or pressure in the groin and thigh when standing, walking or lifting
- The bulge may not be visible, especially in patients with more subcutaneous tissue
- The discomfort gets worse towards the end of the day and with exertion
- Sometimes the first sign is sudden pain when the hernia strangulates
A femoral hernia tends to be small and inconspicuous, yet it strangulates all the more often. We therefore recommend having any unclear bulge below the groin examined.
Causes and risk factors
- Female sex – a wider pelvis means a wider femoral canal
- Repeated pregnancies and childbirths
- Significant weight loss with loss of fatty tissue in the canal
- Chronic constipation, chronic cough and heavy physical work
- Weakening of the connective tissue with age
Diagnosis
The cornerstone is a clinical examination by a surgeon, who distinguishes a femoral hernia from a groin hernia, an enlarged lymph node or a dilated vein. Because a femoral hernia tends to be small, the diagnosis is often refined with an ultrasound examination.
You arrange the examination and a treatment proposal within a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – no referral and no waiting. You can book on +421 948 687 667.
Treatment at our clinic
With a femoral hernia it does not pay to wait – we treat it minimally invasively
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
Hernia repair with mesh through small incisions, under general anesthesia.
Surgical consultation
Examination, confirmation of the diagnosis and an early surgery plan with the clinic's head physician.
Day surgery
Surgery and post-operative monitoring in a single day – by the evening you are back home.
When to seek help immediately
A femoral hernia strangulates more often than other hernias
- Sudden severe pain below the groin or in the abdomen
- The bulge has become hard, painful and cannot be pushed back in
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to pass stool or wind
- Reddening or discoloration of the skin over the bulge
Frequently asked questions about femoral hernias
The opening of a femoral hernia is narrow and firm, so its contents pinch considerably more often than with other hernias. A planned early operation is safe and prevents an acute, life-threatening condition.
A groin hernia bulges above the groin ligament and is typical in men; a femoral hernia forms below it, closer to the thigh, and affects women more often. The surgeon makes the exact distinction during the examination, with the help of ultrasound if needed.
No. The defect does not close by itself, and the hernia tends to grow over time. The only definitive solution is surgery with mesh reinforcement of the weakened spot.
You go home on the day of your procedure. You will manage everyday activities within a few days and a desk job in about one to two weeks. Avoid physical exertion and lifting heavy loads for four to six weeks.
If you feel a dragging sensation below the groin or have noticed any bulge, we definitely recommend an examination. A femoral hernia tends to be inconspicuous, and early detection allows a calm, planned operation.
Related topics
Inguinal hernia
The most common hernia of all – a bulge in the groin and the options for treating it.
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
How minimally invasive hernia repair with mesh works and what its benefits are.
Umbilical hernia
A bulge around the navel – symptoms, causes and surgical options.
Author and medical review: Day-surgery operations are performed by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon focusing on minimally invasive and day surgery, with over 20 years of experience and more than 1,000 laparoscopic procedures. · Last medical review: July 2026
Feeling a pull or a bulge below your groin? Don't wait
Book an appointment for a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a femoral hernia is best treated early.
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk
Femoral (thigh) hernia
A femoral hernia is a bulge just below the groin, on the inner side of the upper thigh. It develops in a narrow canal alongside the femoral vessels and affects women considerably more often. Precisely because of its narrow opening, it has one of the highest strangulation risks of all hernias – which is why we recommend operating on it as soon as possible after diagnosis.
- Operated by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery
- Laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis – home the same day
- A fast consultation appointment with no referral and no waiting lists
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
What a femoral hernia is
A femoral hernia develops in the femoral canal – a narrow space below the groin ligament through which the femoral vessels pass. Through this canal, a sac of the abdominal lining containing fatty tissue or part of the intestine can be pushed under the skin. On the outside it shows as a smaller bulge below the groin, which is easy to overlook.
Unlike a groin hernia, it affects women more often, especially after several pregnancies or significant weight loss. The opening of a femoral hernia is narrow and firm, so the contents of the sac pinch easily – the risk of strangulation is higher than with other hernias. For this reason, the standard recommendation is to operate on a femoral hernia as soon as possible rather than watch it.
At our clinic we repair it laparoscopically with mesh on a day-surgery basis.
Symptoms of a femoral hernia
The signs tend to be subtler than with a groin hernia
- A smaller bulge or lump just below the groin, on the inner side of the thigh
- A dragging feeling or pressure in the groin and thigh when standing, walking or lifting
- The bulge may not be visible, especially in patients with more subcutaneous tissue
- The discomfort gets worse towards the end of the day and with exertion
- Sometimes the first sign is sudden pain when the hernia strangulates
A femoral hernia tends to be small and inconspicuous, yet it strangulates all the more often. We therefore recommend having any unclear bulge below the groin examined.
Causes and risk factors
- Female sex – a wider pelvis means a wider femoral canal
- Repeated pregnancies and childbirths
- Significant weight loss with loss of fatty tissue in the canal
- Chronic constipation, chronic cough and heavy physical work
- Weakening of the connective tissue with age
Diagnosis
The cornerstone is a clinical examination by a surgeon, who distinguishes a femoral hernia from a groin hernia, an enlarged lymph node or a dilated vein. Because a femoral hernia tends to be small, the diagnosis is often refined with an ultrasound examination.
You arrange the examination and a treatment proposal within a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – no referral and no waiting. You can book on +421 948 687 667.
Treatment at our clinic
With a femoral hernia it does not pay to wait – we treat it minimally invasively
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
Hernia repair with mesh through small incisions, under general anesthesia.
Surgical consultation
Examination, confirmation of the diagnosis and an early surgery plan with the clinic's head physician.
Day surgery
Surgery and post-operative monitoring in a single day – by the evening you are back home.
When to seek help immediately
A femoral hernia strangulates more often than other hernias
- Sudden severe pain below the groin or in the abdomen
- The bulge has become hard, painful and cannot be pushed back in
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to pass stool or wind
- Reddening or discoloration of the skin over the bulge
Frequently asked questions about femoral hernias
The opening of a femoral hernia is narrow and firm, so its contents pinch considerably more often than with other hernias. A planned early operation is safe and prevents an acute, life-threatening condition.
A groin hernia bulges above the groin ligament and is typical in men; a femoral hernia forms below it, closer to the thigh, and affects women more often. The surgeon makes the exact distinction during the examination, with the help of ultrasound if needed.
No. The defect does not close by itself, and the hernia tends to grow over time. The only definitive solution is surgery with mesh reinforcement of the weakened spot.
You go home on the day of your procedure. You will manage everyday activities within a few days and a desk job in about one to two weeks. Avoid physical exertion and lifting heavy loads for four to six weeks.
If you feel a dragging sensation below the groin or have noticed any bulge, we definitely recommend an examination. A femoral hernia tends to be inconspicuous, and early detection allows a calm, planned operation.
Related topics
Inguinal hernia
The most common hernia of all – a bulge in the groin and the options for treating it.
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
How minimally invasive hernia repair with mesh works and what its benefits are.
Umbilical hernia
A bulge around the navel – symptoms, causes and surgical options.
Author and medical review: Day-surgery operations are performed by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon focusing on minimally invasive and day surgery, with over 20 years of experience and more than 1,000 laparoscopic procedures. · Last medical review: July 2026
Feeling a pull or a bulge below your groin? Don't wait
Book an appointment for a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a femoral hernia is best treated early.
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk
Femoral (thigh) hernia
A femoral hernia is a bulge just below the groin, on the inner side of the upper thigh. It develops in a narrow canal alongside the femoral vessels and affects women considerably more often. Precisely because of its narrow opening, it has one of the highest strangulation risks of all hernias – which is why we recommend operating on it as soon as possible after diagnosis.
- Operated by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in minimally invasive surgery
- Laparoscopic mesh repair on a day-surgery basis – home the same day
- A fast consultation appointment with no referral and no waiting lists
Bratislava – Bernolákova 9 (STEIN II)
What a femoral hernia is
A femoral hernia develops in the femoral canal – a narrow space below the groin ligament through which the femoral vessels pass. Through this canal, a sac of the abdominal lining containing fatty tissue or part of the intestine can be pushed under the skin. On the outside it shows as a smaller bulge below the groin, which is easy to overlook.
Unlike a groin hernia, it affects women more often, especially after several pregnancies or significant weight loss. The opening of a femoral hernia is narrow and firm, so the contents of the sac pinch easily – the risk of strangulation is higher than with other hernias. For this reason, the standard recommendation is to operate on a femoral hernia as soon as possible rather than watch it.
At our clinic we repair it laparoscopically with mesh on a day-surgery basis.
Symptoms of a femoral hernia
The signs tend to be subtler than with a groin hernia
- A smaller bulge or lump just below the groin, on the inner side of the thigh
- A dragging feeling or pressure in the groin and thigh when standing, walking or lifting
- The bulge may not be visible, especially in patients with more subcutaneous tissue
- The discomfort gets worse towards the end of the day and with exertion
- Sometimes the first sign is sudden pain when the hernia strangulates
A femoral hernia tends to be small and inconspicuous, yet it strangulates all the more often. We therefore recommend having any unclear bulge below the groin examined.
Causes and risk factors
- Female sex – a wider pelvis means a wider femoral canal
- Repeated pregnancies and childbirths
- Significant weight loss with loss of fatty tissue in the canal
- Chronic constipation, chronic cough and heavy physical work
- Weakening of the connective tissue with age
Diagnosis
The cornerstone is a clinical examination by a surgeon, who distinguishes a femoral hernia from a groin hernia, an enlarged lymph node or a dilated vein. Because a femoral hernia tends to be small, the diagnosis is often refined with an ultrasound examination.
You arrange the examination and a treatment proposal within a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – no referral and no waiting. You can book on +421 948 687 667.
Treatment at our clinic
With a femoral hernia it does not pay to wait – we treat it minimally invasively
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
Hernia repair with mesh through small incisions, under general anesthesia.
Surgical consultation
Examination, confirmation of the diagnosis and an early surgery plan with the clinic's head physician.
Day surgery
Surgery and post-operative monitoring in a single day – by the evening you are back home.
When to seek help immediately
A femoral hernia strangulates more often than other hernias
- Sudden severe pain below the groin or in the abdomen
- The bulge has become hard, painful and cannot be pushed back in
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to pass stool or wind
- Reddening or discoloration of the skin over the bulge
Frequently asked questions about femoral hernias
The opening of a femoral hernia is narrow and firm, so its contents pinch considerably more often than with other hernias. A planned early operation is safe and prevents an acute, life-threatening condition.
A groin hernia bulges above the groin ligament and is typical in men; a femoral hernia forms below it, closer to the thigh, and affects women more often. The surgeon makes the exact distinction during the examination, with the help of ultrasound if needed.
No. The defect does not close by itself, and the hernia tends to grow over time. The only definitive solution is surgery with mesh reinforcement of the weakened spot.
You go home on the day of your procedure. You will manage everyday activities within a few days and a desk job in about one to two weeks. Avoid physical exertion and lifting heavy loads for four to six weeks.
If you feel a dragging sensation below the groin or have noticed any bulge, we definitely recommend an examination. A femoral hernia tends to be inconspicuous, and early detection allows a calm, planned operation.
Related topics
Inguinal hernia
The most common hernia of all – a bulge in the groin and the options for treating it.
Laparoscopic hernia surgery
How minimally invasive hernia repair with mesh works and what its benefits are.
Umbilical hernia
A bulge around the navel – symptoms, causes and surgical options.
Author and medical review: Day-surgery operations are performed by MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a surgeon focusing on minimally invasive and day surgery, with over 20 years of experience and more than 1,000 laparoscopic procedures. · Last medical review: July 2026
Feeling a pull or a bulge below your groin? Don't wait
Book an appointment for a surgical consultation with MUDr. Ivan Majeský – a femoral hernia is best treated early.
Bratislava: Bernolákova 9, 811 07 (STEIN II) · Mon–Fri 07:30–19:30, Sat 07:30–12:30
info@proctocare.sk