A hernia occurs when abdominal contents, usually part of the small intestine, protrude through a weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall of the abdomen that holds the abdominal organs in place. In a femoral hernia, a bulge is usually present in the upper part of the thigh, just below the groin. Femoral hernias tend to occur more often in women than in men. A femoral hernia may become incarcerated (stuck) and strangulated (the loop of bowel loses its blood supply). Nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain may occur with a strangulated hernia. This is a medical emergency!
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