Inguinal hernias, or hernias in the groin area, are worrying for many men who lose sleep over the idea that they might affect their erectile and sexual health –– particularly due to where the hernia is located.
Granted, hernias and ED are both real, serious medical conditions that can affect your sexual performance on their own accord –– and the possibility that there might be a connection between hernias and ED is enough to make them sweat.
So, can a hernia cause ED? Let’s find out.
Hernias 101: what you need to know
In a nutshell, a hernia happens when an internal organ protrudes through the tissue that houses it. They tend to occur in and around the abdominal cavity.
Here are some of the most prominent types of hernia you should know about:
- Inguinal (groin hernia). This is the type of hernia men worry most about. Groin hernias typically affect men and happen in a passage in the lower anterior abdominal wall called the inguinal canal, hence the name. This hernia happens when fat or a section of the intestine protrudes into the groin near the inguinal ligament at the top of the inner thigh.
- Femoral hernia. Femoral hernias, on the other hand, happen when a section of the intestine or fatty tissue pushes at the tip of the inner thigh where it meets the groin. These hernias are uncommon and tend to affect women more than men (as opposed to inguinal hernias, which tend to affect men).
- Umbilical hernia. As the name implies, umbilical hernias happen when the intestine pushes or fat pushes out through the umbilicus, or the belly button.
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Hernias are quite common. The majority of hernias that occur are inguinal hernias, with up to 4 out of 5 hernias, or 80% of cases, falling under this category. The rest are umbilical hernias (up to 10%) and then femoral hernias (the remainder).
Hernias can arise from stress and trauma caused by lifting heavy objects or by weakened muscles. Umbilical hernias may also happen due to carrying excess weight, recent childbirth, or a persistent cough.
Hernia symptoms vary largely from person to person and based on the type of hernia incurred. Umbilical hernias, for instance, may cause mild discomfort or pain that worsens when lifting heavy objects or when exerting yourself physically.
Meanwhile, inguinal hernias in men cause symptoms such as pain around the groin area, a feeling of pressure around the hernia, a noticeable bulge that can either be seen or felt and a feeling of pulling on the scrotum.
Women with inguinal hernia symptoms may have symptoms of a burning discomfort or sharp pain that worsens with movement and/or a visible bulge.
Hernias often require surgery in order to treat. Many men delay groin hernia surgery if they aren’t manifesting any symptoms. The thing is, hernias can worsen and cause serious complications over time when left untreated.
Hernia surgery may be done through minimally-invasive surgery using laparoscopic tools and small incisions, or by a more invasive open surgery where the incisions are made directly at the site of the hernia (which will take a longer time to recover from).
Surgeons may insert a mesh to provide extra support to the herniated areas during surgery. It’s a very common type of surgery, with nearly 900,000 hernia surgeries being conducted in the United States alone.
That said, what connection –– if any –– do hernias have with ED?
Do hernias cause ED? The complete rundown
Most hernias don’t cause pain, but some might experience some degree of sexual dysfunction if they do experience discomfort or pain.
Studies show that up to 16% of individuals who got surgery for groin or inguinal hernias experience sexual dysfunctions afterward.
Postoperative pain may be linked to the synthetic mesh used to support the weakened areas causing inflammation. The mesh may also catch a nerve, which may cause severe pain.
Undergoing a surgical repair for an inguinal hernia may have an effect on sexual activity, as indicated by a study in the Central European Journal of Urology in 2016. This is due to a possible long-term tissue induration following the mesh repair, which can have an impact on sexual function.
For instance, open or laparoscopic groin hernia surgery may cause swelling or bruising in and around the scrotum, or in and around the testicles and penis. However, the pain and discomfort typically subside over time.`
There aren’t any specific restrictions on sexual or physical activity after surgery, but patients experiencing discomfort should tread cautiously, because the vigorous physical or sexual activity may be extremely uncomfortable for some. Ask your healthcare provider how to go about your recovery phase to determine what activities you can and can’t do.
Regardless, the likelihood of groin hernias causing ED or other sexual dysfunctions is actually slim to nil.
That’s because the inguinal canal – the site where groin hernias occur – is a wholly separate entity from that of your male parts, meaning it has its own set of nerves. Meaning, your reproductive system’s nerves are mostly unaffected compared to those of the inguinal hernia when you undergo surgery to fix it.
In fact, the likelihood of experiencing sexual dysfunction or pain increases if you don’t seek immediate medical treatment for your hernia.
Nevertheless, if you’re experiencing ED, you might want to determine other potential causes.
Is it possible to take sildenafil (Viagra®) after getting hernia surgery?
It depends on your healthcare provider’s advice. If you’re manifesting symptoms of ED and you don’t know what’s causing it, your healthcare provider will help you determine any underlying conditions and formulate a treatment approach that’s suited for your particular situation.
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What ED drugs can I take?
Several oral medications have been approved for the use and treatment of ED by the FDA as first-line treatments: these include PDE5 inhibitor drugs like sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®) and avanafil (Stendra®).
However, you should avoid taking PDE5 inhibitor drugs if you are taking anti-hypertensive (anti-high blood pressure) drugs, nitrates, or alpha-blockers, or if your healthcare provider has advised you to refrain from engaging in sexual activities.
Your healthcare provider may also advise you to take an analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce swelling and pain in the scrotum. While there are generally no known interactions between ED drugs and pain medication, ask your healthcare provider about any concerns you might have about taking ED drugs like sildenafil after getting hernia surgery.
Treatment for psychologically-induced ED
It’s entirely possible for ED to be caused by psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression over sexual performance. Treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), marriage counseling, or sex therapy, among other forms of psychotherapy. Ultimately, do know that you’re not alone and that there are solutions out there for ED. It’s very well-treatable in most cases.
