 A herniated disc in the lumbar spine may cause radiating nerve pain in the lower extremities or groin area and may sometimes be associated with bowel or bladder incontinence.Typically, symptoms are experienced only on one side of the body, but if a herniation is very large and presses on the nerves on both sides within the spinal column or the "cauda equina", both sides of the body may be affected, often with serious consequences.Compression of the "cauda equina" can cause permanent nerve damage or paralysis which can result in loss of bowel and bladder control and sexual dysfunction.