Inguinal Hernia: Sexual Functionality

The inguinal region is anatomically related to the genital apparatus.

In man in fact the inguinal canal is transited by the spermatic funiculus, which is the structure of vascular and reproductive connection with the testicle.

Three pure sensory nerves called the ileo-hypogastric, ileo-inguinal, and genito-femoral nerves also pass through the inguinal canal.

These three nerves, although not directly involved with erection, play a role in the sexual sphere by bringing to the central nervous system the sensitivity of the inguinal region, part of the abdomen, inner thigh and scrotum.

In the woman instead of the spermatic cord we find the round ligament and the same three sensory nerves of which the genito-femoral branch innervates the external genital instead of the scrotum. All structures that pass through the inguinal canal can be compressed by the hernia and negatively affected.

If the nerves are compressed, they report discomfort, tingling, or pain referred to the region of their relevance, so even if the compression occurs at the top, the pain can be felt at the bottom, for example level of the scrotum or inner thigh. By properly treating the hernia, these possible compression symptoms disappear.

Beyond the purely physical phenomena, there may also be psychological inhibitions due to the fear of hernial commitment during the sexual act. Even these problems are obviously solvable by treating the disease properly.