Urgent treatment is needed if you have a femoral hernia because it may become stuck and strangulated where the loop of bowel loses its blood supply, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A femoral hernia may cause vomiting, nausea and severe abdominal pain if it is strangulated, eventually becoming a life-threatening condition resulting gangrene (tissue death). It is recommended that you seek immediate medical attention and travel to your physician or nearest hospital.

Ambulance

Call 911 if the hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdomen with gentle pressure or if you develop nausea, vomiting or severe pain. Travel by ambulance is suggested if you are in severe pain. The EMT professionals will assess your symptoms and help with the pain by either sedating you or giving you pain relief drugs until you reach the hospital to receive immediate surgical treatment.

Car

Do not drive a car if you are in severe pain from your femoral hernia because you could get in an accident. Travel to your doctor or nearest hospital as a passenger in a car instead and try not to cough or make sudden movements to prevent additional pain while traveling to receive medical treatment. Prolonged sitting can increase the pain; try not to put pressure on the hernia because it can produce more pain. Do not apply heat to your hernia because it can worsen your hernia; instead apply an ice bag to help control the pain. Recline your seat slightly and loosen your clothing to help relieve pressure on your abdomen.

Airplane

Travel by airplane may not be allowed if you are in severe pain and require medical attention immediately. However, if your femoral hernia has been assessed by a physician, it is not strangulated, and treatment is not required immediately, you can travel by airplane with approval from your physician. You can use a girdle prescribed by your physician that will keep your hernia inside or you can simply press your hernia back in as needed, helping with mild pain. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes on the plane to prevent pressure on the stomach area. Ask the steward for an icepack and place on abdomen while in a reclined seat position for pain relief. Your physician may also be able to prescribe pain medications for your trip. If pain becomes severe or you develop nausea or start vomiting, you need to seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

Source:

University of Maryland Medical Center: Femoral Hernia--Treatment

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Femoral Hernia Repair