Fighting the Battle Against Misdiagnosed Hernias in Women

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Many people incorrectly believe that hernias are a problem only experienced by men, but this is not the case.  Dr. Shirin Towfigh, M.D., F.A.C.S of the Beverly Hills Hernia Center is a board certified surgeon and the Western United States' only surgeon specializing in abdominal wall hernias. She knows from years of medical experience that hernias are far more common in women than most people (including many doctors) realize, and that they can often go undiagnosed for years.

A hernia is a hole in the abdominal wall where other organs can push through. It is by no means a gender-specific problem. While most doctors are aware that hernias can occur in women, their relative rarity makes them difficult to diagnose, and it takes a skilled professional like Dr. Towfigh to truly know what to look for. She explains that because of the anatomical difference between men and women, most doctors are too quick to blame other factors.

"In women you have ovaries, you have a uterus, they can have fibroids, many have had C-sections," Dr. Towfigh explained. "All of that can complicate a diagnosis." Dr. Towfigh also notes that in men, hernia protuberances are much more bulging and easier to externally identify as they lay down on the examining table. Identifying hernias in women often requires a doctor trust in the patient's explanation of their symptoms and experiences during the initial consult. While many doctors don't allow their ego to get past what they can't see right away, Dr. Towfigh knows that caring for patients requires going beyond the preconceived expectations that doctors often rely on.

Anne, one of Dr. Towfigh's patients who claims to "hold the record" for having an undiagnosed hernia for over 28 years, said on Dr. Towfigh's web site that she was drawn to the noted physician after getting frustratingly insufficient treatment from another doctor. Although Anne's symptoms pointed to a femoral hernia, her Ob-Gyn prescribed her pain pills hoping the problem would simply disappear. Her doctor even went so far to tell her that the pain was psychological and that she may need anti-depressants to get rid of this 'anxiety.' This led Anne to Dr. Towfigh, who compassionately listened to her symptoms and diagnosed a hernia in a matter of minutes. While later performing laparoscopic surgery to repair the hernia, Dr. Towfigh found that Anne was living with not one, but two, femoral hernias. Now Anne finally feels "secure enough in her treatment to start living [her] life again."

Many women who feel consistent, lower abdominal pain while exercising or moving in a certain way shouldn't think that living with the pain is the only way to proceed.  If you or someone you know has been suffering from this type of pain only to be told there isn't a solution, Dr. Shirin Towfigh may be able to help.  To schedule a consultation please contact Dr. Towfigh's office at 310-358-5020, or learn more at www.BeverlyHillsHerniaCenter.com.

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SOURCE Beverly Hills Hernia Center

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