Inguinal hernia in girls

fathom5 · 2025-10-17T00:49:51+00:00

My three year old had a bulge appear in her groin above the pubic bone a few days ago; it can be popped back in. Dr suspects inguinal hernia and has referred her for ultrasound. For anyone who’s been through this with girls… 1) how long from scan to surgery? 2) any complications like ovary getting strangulated - and did your doctors say anything about future fertility? 3) anyone whose doctor thought it was a hernia and it ended up being something else? I know it’s not as common in girls as boys so my brain is spiraling. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

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WhereAreWeNow · 17/10/2025 06:13

I had one as a newborn. I had a small operation and it never caused any problems. No issues with my fertility or ovaries.
Try not to worry OP. Good luck.

Original poster

fathom5 · 17/10/2025 07:46

Thank you for sharing…

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Rocknrollstar · 17/10/2025 08:20

I had one as an older adult. I was awake with a spinal while they did the operation and went home the next day. Absolutely no after effects.

Original poster

fathom5 · 18/10/2025 23:12

Thank you, glad it went well.

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Pryceosh1987 · 19/10/2025 01:55

It doesnt sound like anything serious.

FictionalCharacter · 19/10/2025 02:45

My DD had this surgery as a baby and it went fine. The GP referred her to the surgeon, who said it needed dealing with promptly because of the risk of strangulated bladder, bowel or ovary. He was annoyed at the GP who had said it might get better on its own, because it never does and should always be taken seriously.
It really can't be misdiagnosed as a hernia when it's something else. Don't worry OP, let them sort it and she'll be fine.

Flipitnreverseit · 19/10/2025 19:48

Hi OP, do you have any update? My 5yo DD was in the bath tonight and I noticed she has quite a visible lump on one side of her groin/front public bone. It feels slightly firm too, she said it’s not painful but it is fairly visible so I’m thinking about getting her checked out. Lois very similar to some of the pictures online but I’m wondering if it can be anything else. Already a bit worried that she might have to have surgery, she’s super sensitive about anything medical 😔

Original poster

fathom5 · 26/10/2025 12:14

Thank you for this, do you remember how long you waited?

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Original poster

fathom5 · 26/10/2025 12:15

This sounds like what my daughter has. I think the telltale sign of it being a hernia is if it pops in and out. The bulge isn’t always visible.

OP posts:

Original poster

fathom5 · 26/10/2025 12:16

Flipitnreverseit · 19/10/2025 19:48

Hi OP, do you have any update? My 5yo DD was in the bath tonight and I noticed she has quite a visible lump on one side of her groin/front public bone. It feels slightly firm too, she said it’s not painful but it is fairly visible so I’m thinking about getting her checked out. Lois very similar to some of the pictures online but I’m wondering if it can be anything else. Already a bit worried that she might have to have surgery, she’s super sensitive about anything medical 😔

This sounds like what my daughter has. I think the telltale sign of it being a hernia is if it pops in and out. The bulge isn’t always visible.

OP posts:

Original poster

fathom5 · 26/10/2025 12:20

FictionalCharacter · 19/10/2025 02:45

My DD had this surgery as a baby and it went fine. The GP referred her to the surgeon, who said it needed dealing with promptly because of the risk of strangulated bladder, bowel or ovary. He was annoyed at the GP who had said it might get better on its own, because it never does and should always be taken seriously.
It really can't be misdiagnosed as a hernia when it's something else. Don't worry OP, let them sort it and she'll be fine.

Thank you for this, do you remember how long you waited?

OP posts:

FictionalCharacter · 26/10/2025 13:41

I'm sorry @fathom5 no I don't remember how long we waited for the surgery. She wasn't sent for an ultrasound. The GP referred her to a paediatric surgeon and the surgeon took one look and got her booked in for surgery.

Flipitnreverseit · 26/10/2025 19:16

fathom5 · 26/10/2025 12:15

This sounds like what my daughter has. I think the telltale sign of it being a hernia is if it pops in and out. The bulge isn’t always visible.

Thank you. It does appear that way, usually when she stood up after an active day it appears much bigger. First thing in the morning looks pretty normal. It feels a bit squishy and a little soft-lumpy. I took her to the GP and they said they think it’s a lymph node. I’m not so sure but she had a feel around so I’m guessing if it was a hernia they would definitely be able to tell