Can a Hernia Cause Constipation? When Bowel Symptoms May Signal an Obstruction

A hernia can sometimes contribute to constipation, but constipation by itself does not usually mean that a hernia is blocking the bowel. The concern is greater when part of the intestine becomes trapped within a hernia and creates a partial or complete bowel obstruction.

A bowel obstruction prevents food, fluid, gas, or stool from moving normally through the intestine. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, constipation, and an inability to pass gas. Hernias are one recognized cause of intestinal obstruction.

If constipation occurs along with severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomiting, significant swelling, inability to pass gas, or a suddenly painful hernia, seek prompt medical care.

Can a Hernia Cause Constipation?

Yes, some hernias can cause constipation if they interfere with the intestine, but this is different from ordinary constipation.

Constipation is common and has many possible causes. It generally means having infrequent bowel movements, hard or difficult-to-pass stools, or a feeling that stool has not completely passed.

A hernia becomes more concerning when intestine enters the hernia and becomes trapped. If the trapped intestine is compressed enough to prevent its contents from moving normally, a bowel obstruction can develop.

An incarcerated hernia, for example, may prevent bowel movements when trapped intestine becomes obstructed.

How Can a Hernia Cause a Bowel Obstruction?

Some abdominal and groin hernias can contain a portion of the intestine.

Normally, intestinal contents move continuously through the digestive tract. If a section of intestine becomes tightly trapped within a hernia opening, that passage can become narrowed or completely blocked.

A bowel obstruction may be:

• Partial, meaning some material can still move through the intestine
• Complete, meaning intestinal contents cannot pass through the blocked area

Hernias are among the recognized causes of mechanical bowel obstruction, along with abdominal adhesions, tumors and other conditions.

What Are the Symptoms of a Bowel Obstruction From a Hernia?

Symptoms can vary depending on whether the blockage is partial or complete and which part of the intestine is involved.

Possible symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Difficulty passing stool
• Inability to pass gas
• A painful or increasingly tender hernia
• A hernia bulge that becomes larger or no longer moves back into the abdomen

MedlinePlus lists abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, abdominal swelling, constipation and inability to pass gas among symptoms of intestinal obstruction.

Constipation vs. Bowel Obstruction: What Is the Difference?

Constipation and bowel obstruction can overlap, but they are not the same condition.

A complete obstruction is particularly concerning when a person cannot pass stool or gas and also develops significant abdominal pain, swelling or vomiting.

Can You Still Have a Bowel Movement With a Partial Obstruction?

It can be possible to pass some stool or gas with a partial bowel obstruction.

That means having a bowel movement does not necessarily rule out a partial blockage. Symptoms depend on where the obstruction occurs and how much of the intestinal passage remains open.

With a complete obstruction, passing stool and gas may become impossible.

Because patients cannot reliably determine whether an obstruction is partial or complete based on symptoms alone, persistent or worsening symptoms should be medically evaluated.

Which Types of Hernias Can Cause Bowel Obstruction?

Any hernia that contains intestine may potentially become obstructed if the bowel becomes trapped.

Examples include:

• Inguinal hernias
• Femoral hernias
• Umbilical hernias
• Incisional hernias
• Epigastric hernias
• Spigelian hernias

The risk is not identical for every type. Femoral and Spigelian hernias, for example, warrant particular attention because tissue can become trapped within relatively confined openings.

What Is an Incarcerated Hernia?

An incarcerated hernia occurs when tissue becomes trapped within the hernia and cannot return to its normal position.

If intestine is trapped, pressure within the hernia can potentially create a bowel obstruction. Cleveland Clinic notes that an incarcerated hernia can prevent a person from having a bowel movement when the trapped intestine becomes obstructed.

What Is the Difference Between an Obstructed and Strangulated Hernia?

These terms describe different complications.

An obstructed hernia involves intestine that has become blocked, preventing intestinal contents from moving normally.

A strangulated hernia occurs when trapped tissue also loses adequate blood supply. This is a medical emergency. Warning signs may include severe worsening pain, nausea or vomiting and changes in the skin around the hernia.

A hernia can potentially be incarcerated and obstructed without yet being strangulated, but these conditions require medical evaluation because complications can progress.

Can Constipation Make a Hernia Worse?

Constipation can lead to repeated straining during bowel movements. Straining increases pressure inside the abdomen and may make an existing hernia bulge or become more uncomfortable.

However, there is an important distinction: Constipation may increase abdominal pressure, while a complicated hernia may sometimes cause constipation by obstructing the intestine.

Those are two different mechanisms.

If you have an existing hernia and develop a significant new change in bowel habits, particularly alongside increasing pain or swelling, discuss the symptoms with a healthcare professional.

Does Straining From Constipation Cause Hernias?

Repeated straining increases pressure within the abdomen and may contribute to hernia development in someone who already has a weakness in the abdominal wall.

It is generally more accurate to describe constipation and straining as contributing factors rather than saying constipation alone directly causes a hernia.

Other factors such as anatomy, age, previous surgery, pregnancy, obesity and tissue strength may also affect a person's risk.

When Is Constipation With a Hernia an Emergency?

Constipation by itself is common and usually does not mean a hernia has become dangerous.

The situation becomes more concerning when constipation occurs alongside symptoms suggesting intestinal obstruction or trapped tissue.

Seek prompt medical attention for:

• Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal or groin pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Significant abdominal swelling
• Inability to pass stool or gas
• A suddenly painful or firm hernia
• A bulge that previously went back in but no longer does
• Rapidly worsening tenderness around the hernia
• Redness or another significant change in the skin over the hernia

NIDDK identifies sudden severe hernia pain, a bulge that no longer returns to the abdomen, and symptoms of intestinal obstruction such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting as reasons to seek medical help immediately.

How Is a Hernia-Related Bowel Obstruction Diagnosed?

Evaluation may include a physical examination and assessment of the patient's symptoms.

A healthcare professional may ask about:

• When bowel symptoms began
• Ability to pass stool or gas
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes in an existing hernia
• Previous abdominal surgery
• Previous episodes of bowel obstruction

Imaging, particularly CT imaging, may be used to identify the location and cause of an intestinal obstruction and evaluate the involved bowel.

How Is a Bowel Obstruction From a Hernia Treated?

Treatment depends on whether the obstruction is partial or complete, whether tissue is trapped, and whether there is concern about its blood supply.

A bowel obstruction caused by an incarcerated or strangulated hernia may require urgent surgical treatment to release the trapped intestine and repair the hernia.

Bowel obstruction itself requires medical evaluation rather than home treatment because complications can become serious without appropriate care. Bowel obstruction is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.

Should You Take a Laxative if You Have a Hernia and Cannot Poop?

If you have an existing hernia and suddenly cannot pass stool or gas, especially with significant pain, abdominal swelling, nausea or vomiting, do not assume the problem is routine constipation.

Those symptoms can occur with intestinal obstruction and warrant medical evaluation.

This is particularly important because treating ordinary constipation and treating a mechanical bowel obstruction are very different clinical situations.

Hernia Evaluation in the East Bay

Hernia Innovations provides evaluation and surgical treatment for inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, epigastric, Spigelian and other abdominal wall hernias throughout the East Bay.

Our board-certified surgeons can evaluate a known or suspected hernia and discuss whether monitoring or planned surgical repair may be appropriate based on the type of hernia, symptoms and individual risk factors.

If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, inability to pass gas or stool, or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek immediate medical care rather than waiting for a routine hernia appointment.

For non-emergency hernia evaluation, call (925) 940-1025 or request an appointment online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hernias and Constipation

Can a hernia make it difficult to poop?

It can. If intestine becomes trapped within a hernia and creates a bowel obstruction, stool may have difficulty moving through the intestine. An incarcerated hernia can sometimes prevent bowel movements when the trapped intestine becomes obstructed.

Can a hernia cause constipation and bloating?

A bowel obstruction caused by trapped intestine can cause constipation, abdominal bloating, pain, nausea and vomiting. Ordinary constipation has many other causes, so these symptoms do not automatically mean a hernia is responsible.

Can an inguinal hernia cause constipation?

An uncomplicated inguinal hernia does not necessarily cause constipation. However, if intestine becomes trapped within an inguinal hernia and causes an obstruction, bowel symptoms can occur. NIDDK lists symptoms of intestinal obstruction among warning signs of a complicated inguinal hernia.

Can constipation make an existing hernia hurt more?

Yes. Straining during bowel movements increases pressure within the abdomen and can make an existing hernia bulge or become more uncomfortable.

Can you have a bowel obstruction and still poop?

A partial obstruction may still allow some stool or gas to pass. With a complete obstruction, passing stool and gas may stop. Because symptoms alone cannot reliably determine the extent of an obstruction, worsening abdominal symptoms require medical evaluation.

What does a hernia bowel obstruction feel like?

Symptoms may include abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, inability to pass gas and changes in an existing hernia.

When should constipation with a hernia be checked?

Seek prompt medical evaluation if constipation occurs with severe or worsening pain, vomiting, significant abdominal swelling, inability to pass gas, or a hernia that suddenly becomes painful, firm or unable to move back into the abdomen.