Lifestyle

A Bulge in the Groin or Belly That Gets Bigger When You Cough Can Signal a Hernia. When It Becomes an Emergency

By Erica Coleman · October 28, 2026

A soft lump in the groin that comes and goes is easy to ignore. It may be a hernia, and while many hernias are not dangerous at first, a few warning signs mean you need care right away.

MedlinePlus explains that a hernia is a sac that comes through a hole or weak area in the strong layer of the belly wall. Where it appears determines the type. An inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin and is more common in men. An umbilical hernia is a bulge around the belly button, and an incisional hernia can push through the scar from an earlier abdominal surgery.

Inguinal hernias are the most familiar kind. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the chance of having one increases with age among adults, and they are most common in people ages 75 to 80. Mayo Clinic says men are 8 to 10 times more likely to have one than women.

A bulge that grows with coughing or straining. Mayo Clinic describes a bulge on either side of the pubic bone that becomes more obvious when upright, especially when coughing or straining. MedlinePlus says a provider may ask you to cough, bend, push or lift during an exam, and the hernia may get bigger when you do.

A bulge that eases when you lie down. The NIDDK says symptoms may get worse when you strain, lift, cough or stand for a long time and may get better when you rest or lie down.

Aching, burning or heaviness. Mayo Clinic lists a burning or aching sensation at the bulge, along with pain, discomfort or pressure in the groin, especially when bending over, coughing or lifting. The NIDDK also lists a feeling of heaviness.

Swelling in the scrotum. In men, the NIDDK says the bulge can appear in the scrotum, and Mayo Clinic says there may occasionally be pain and swelling around the testicles.

No pain at all. Mayo Clinic notes that many hernias do not cause pain, and MedlinePlus says there are usually no symptoms other than a visible bulge.

The danger comes when a hernia gets stuck. If its contents cannot be pushed back in, Mayo Clinic calls it incarcerated. A stuck hernia can become strangulated, which cuts off blood flow to the trapped tissue and can be life-threatening.

Seek medical help right away for these signs of a stuck or strangulated hernia, drawn from the NIDDK and Mayo Clinic: a bulge that turns red, purple or dark; a bulge that is suddenly larger or no longer goes back in; sudden pain that quickly gets worse; fever; nausea or vomiting; and being unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas. Mayo Clinic says a strangulated hernia requires immediate surgery.

Some hernias have no clear cause. Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus list factors that raise pressure in the belly, including heavy lifting, straining during bowel movements or urination, chronic constipation, a long-lasting cough such as from smoking, and extra weight.

An inguinal hernia does not get better on its own, Mayo Clinic says, and a doctor is likely to recommend surgery for one that is painful or getting bigger. The NIDDK says most people with inguinal hernias will need surgery, though research suggests men whose hernias cause few or no symptoms may be able to safely delay it while watching for changes and seeing a doctor regularly.

To lower strain on the belly wall, Mayo Clinic suggests a healthy weight, high-fiber foods, careful lifting and quitting smoking.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about any new bulge, and seek emergency care if a hernia becomes painful, discolored or will not go back in. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.