What causes hernia symptoms in a man's groin?

Causes of hernia symptoms in a man's groin include coughing, straining, laughing, bending or lifting heavy weights, according to WebMD. A bulge may appear immediately in the groin after these activities, or it can develop over time. An individual with an inguinal hernia may or may not experience pain.

When an infant cries or moves around, the activity may cause a symptomatic bulge indicating a hernia. If the intestine is trapped in the hernia, called strangulation, it can cause nausea, vomiting and pain, notes WebMD. Strangulated hernias occur more often in infants and children than in adults and can cause infants to reject food and cry. Anyone with a strangulated hernia needs emergency surgery.