Discovering one hernia is unsettling enough. Discovering a second bulge, or learning that a previously repaired hernia has returned, raises a reasonable question: can a person actually have more than one hernia? The answer is yes.
Two or more hernias, sometimes referred to as a double hernia, can develop at the same time, in different areas of the abdominal wall, or on both sides of the groin, producing what is known as a bilateral hernia. A person may develop different types of hernias at the same time, such as an inguinal hernia on each side of the groin or an inguinal hernia together with an umbilical hernia. This differs from a recurrent hernia, which returns at or near the site of a previous hernia repair, and the two situations should not be confused.
Why Multiple Hernias Develop
A hernia forms when tissue pushes through a weakened area of the abdominal wall, and some people are more prone to developing more than one. Bilateral inguinal hernias are fairly common. A decade-long study following patients after inguinal hernia repair found that roughly 6.7 percent eventually needed surgery for a groin hernia on the opposite side. Family history, obesity, smoking, a chronic cough, constipation, and pregnancy can all raise abdominal pressure or strain the abdominal wall, while heavy lifting tends to make an existing weakness more noticeable rather than cause it outright. Prior abdominal surgery is another common factor, since a surgical incision can leave the area vulnerable to a later incisional hernia.
Tissue quality plays a role as well. Some hernia patients have a relative collagen deficiency, meaning weaker, less mature collagen fibers make up a larger share of their connective tissue than usual. A review of dozens of studies published in the British Journal of Surgery found this pattern consistently among patients with abdominal wall hernias, though it does not mean everyone with multiple hernias has an underlying collagen disorder.
Recognizing the Different Types
Location helps clarify what is happening. Understanding the difference between a femoral hernia and an inguinal hernia is important because femoral hernias sit slightly lower in the groin and carry a higher risk of complications despite being less common. An umbilical hernia develops near the navel, an epigastric hernia between the navel and the breastbone, and an incisional hernia through a previous surgical scar. Ventral hernia is a broader term for hernias anywhere along the front of the abdominal wall. Bilateral, recurrent, and multiple hernias describe related but distinct situations, and a patient with several prior repairs and mesh placement may be facing a complex recurrent hernia, which often calls for specialized evaluation.
| Term | What It Means | Example | Key Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple hernias | Two or more separate hernias are present | An inguinal hernia and an umbilical hernia | The hernias may occur in different locations |
| Bilateral hernias | Hernias are present on both sides of the body | An inguinal hernia on each side of the groin | This is one specific type of multiple hernia |
| Recurrent hernia | A hernia returns at or near a previous repair | A bulge develops again beside an old surgical scar | It may require a more specialized repair plan |
| Incisional hernia | A hernia develops through a previous abdominal incision | A bulge forms along an abdominal surgery scar | It is not necessarily a recurrence of the original hernia |
Diagnosis and When to Seek Care
A hernia typically appears as a bulge that becomes more noticeable with standing, coughing, or straining, though it is not always painful. Diagnosis usually begins with a physical examination, and imaging such as ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI may be used when a hernia is small, recurrent, or difficult to evaluate. Watchful waiting can be reasonable for a minimally symptomatic hernia, but sudden severe pain, vomiting, abdominal swelling, or a firm bulge that will not push back in can signal an incarcerated hernia. If blood supply to the trapped tissue is cut off, the hernia becomes strangulated and can lead to bowel obstruction, a surgical emergency requiring urgent medical attention.
When surgery is appropriate, options include open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery, often reinforced with surgical mesh depending on the hernia’s size, location, and the patient’s overall health. In select cases, two hernias can be repaired during the same operation, sparing the patient a second recovery period.
Multiple hernias are more common than many people realize, and identifying what is happening is the key to choosing the right path forward. If you have noticed more than one bulge or a hernia that has returned, the team at Torrance Hernia Center can walk you through your options, from inguinal hernia surgery to laparoscopic hernia and robotic repair techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have two different types of hernias at the same time?
Yes. A person may have different hernia types at the same time, such as an inguinal hernia in the groin and an umbilical hernia near the navel. Each hernia should be evaluated based on its location, size, and symptoms.
Does having one hernia increase the risk of developing another?
Having one hernia does not guarantee that another will develop. However, factors such as connective-tissue weakness, chronic coughing, obesity, constipation, smoking, and previous abdominal surgery may increase the likelihood of developing hernias in more than one location.
Can you have multiple hernias without seeing multiple bulges?
Yes. Small or deeper hernias may not produce an obvious bulge. A physical examination and, when necessary, imaging can help identify a hernia that is difficult to detect.
Are multiple hernias more dangerous than a single hernia?
Not necessarily. Risk depends more on the type, contents, symptoms, and whether tissue has become trapped than on the number of hernias alone. A painful or nonreducible hernia needs prompt medical evaluation.
Can multiple hernias be repaired during one operation?
Sometimes. Two or more hernias may be repaired during the same operation when their locations, complexity, and the patient’s health make this approach appropriate. The surgical plan must be individualized.
Torrance Hernia Center provides expert, personalized hernia care to patients throughout the Los Angeles area: an accurate diagnosis is always the first step toward lasting relief.
