Hernias result in pain and discomfort in the groin and abdomen, which can lead some men to wonder if the condition could contribute to sexual performance issues.
In fact, a hernia does not directly affect the male reproductive system, but its symptoms can make sexual activity uncomfortable or challenging. Hernia and erectile dysfunction also share certain risk factors, and both conditions deserve the attention of a doctor.
Understanding Hernias
A hernia happens when an internal organ or other tissue pushes through the connective tissue or muscle that normally contains it, which can lead to an odd-looking bulge that’s visible under your skin. Most hernias are located around your abdomen or groin.
Some hernias don’t cause symptoms, but most cause a bulge. Hernias may only be visible or increase in size with certain activities — such as when you’re lifting, laughing, coughing, or straining — but not at others. A hernia can cause many types of discomfort, including pressure, a dull ache, pinching, pain, and burning. Inguinal hernias, the most common type of hernia in men, occur in the groin.
Though hernias don’t usually require immediate treatment, they generally get worse over time and often eventually require surgical repair. To repair a hernia, a surgeon will push the bulging tissue back into place and strengthen the barrier so it doesn’t pop out again.
The Basics of Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability for the penis to get and stay erect. While it’s normal to have erection issues sometimes, ED is usually only diagnosed after months of persistent symptoms. ED can also be a symptom of an underlying health problem, such as heart disease.Many men experience ED, and it is also more common with age. About 25 percent of adult males meet the diagnostic criteria for erectile dysfunction, including about 50 percent of those over the age of 65. Only a minority, however, have had their diagnosis confirmed by a healthcare provider.
Can Hernias Cause ED?
There is no evidence that a hernia directly causes erectile dysfunction. A hernia doesn’t interact with sexual organs or the nerves around them and therefore cannot cause erectile dysfunction in a straightforward manner.
However, that doesn’t mean that there is no potential connection between the two conditions. A hernia can cause pain, swelling, and discomfort in the groin, and several studies have found that men with hernias often report that their symptoms interfere with sexual performance. A visible hernia can also be a source of stress or embarrassment, which can likewise cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.
Hernia Treatment and Sexual Performance
For men with both a hernia and sexual performance issues, hernia surgery may improve both conditions. A recent study, for example, found that hernia repair surgery not only alleviated swelling and pain, but also led to improved sexual function. The researchers suggested that sexual dysfunction should be considered one of the reasons to repair a hernia.
In the short term, however, hernia surgery may have the opposite effect. Hernia surgery is usually a quick outpatient treatment, but it does require a recovery period, and some people need a few weeks before they can engage in physically demanding tasks. In the months after hernia surgery, a significant number of patients may experience new symptoms of sexual dysfunction or pain with sexual activity. These issues are believed to be temporary. Hernia surgery, while generally considered a very safe procedure, is not completely without risks. A minority of patients may experience nerve damage and chronic pain after their surgery. When being evaluated for hernia repair, it’s best to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your healthcare provider.
Erectile Dysfunction Can Be a Warning Sign
Hernia treatment does not always improve erectile dysfunction, and men with persistent ED should seek the help of a medical professional.
ED is not just a sexual performance issue. In some cases, ED may be a symptom of an underlying cause, such as:
Diabetes
Heart disease
Multiple sclerosis
Chronic alcoholism
Steroid abuse
Depression
Prescription drug use
One reason that ED is more common as men age is that their risk for underlying health problems like diabetes and heart disease increases as they get older. If you have trouble getting or keeping an erection, you should see your doctor about ED. They can check to see if you have an underlying health condition as well suggest lifestyle modifications and ED treatments.
Both hernias and erectile dysfunction also share certain risk factors, such as obesity and lack of physical activity, that can be improved with healthy lifestyle changes. Weight loss and exercise, therefore, could possibly help treat erectile dysfunction and help reduce the risk of hernia at the same time.
The Takeaway
Hernias do not directly cause erectile dysfunction (ED), but the pain and discomfort they cause can contribute to sexual performance issues. Hernia surgery, a generally safe procedure, may improve sexual function in men by alleviating hernia symptoms, although it can lead to some short-term sexual performance difficulties and, rarely, nerve damage and chronic pain.
Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.
He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.
He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.
Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.
Erica Patino is a freelance writer and editor, content strategist, and usability specialist who has worked for a variety of online health outlets, including Healthline, Sharecare, and Twill Care. She was previously a senior editor at Everyday Health. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Hear 2 Tell, a website that covers advances in hearing loss treatment. Patino lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and twin sons.
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
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