Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

What could be causing your groin pain?

You’ve been out and about on the beach, moving more than usual this holiday, and now you have a niggling pain in your groin. From muscles to bones to joints – what could be the cause? Let’s take a closer look:

What area is referred to as “the groin”?

  • the groin areas are located in the skin fold areas, on either side of the body, where the abdomen/belly meets the top of the legs/thighs.
  • the pubic area is located between the groin areas

What are some of the possible causes of groin pain?

In many cases, an overuse strain or an injury can cause groin pain. However, it’s especially important to consider a variety of other possible causes, particularly if there hasn’t been an injury.

Different types of groin injuries:

1) An acute injury – such as a fall, direct blow, stab wound, or the leg being turned in an abnormal position.

2) A strained/pulled or torn groin muscle – this can occur when lifting or pushing/pulling heavy objects, or during sport or exercise.

3) An over-use injury – repeating the same activity day after day, or overdoing a particular activity (resulting in bursitis, tendonitis, a stress fracture or avulsion fracture etc.).

Hip-and back-related conditions:

1) Hip conditions (often more common in children and the elderly)

  • arthritis
  • infection of hip joint (septic arthritis)
  • fractures
  • avascular necrosis
  • Perthe’s disease
  • slipped femoral epiphysis
  • congenital dislocation of the hip
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • synovitis (when the lining of the hip joint space becomes inflamed/swollen)

2) Back conditions – such as a herniated disc or lumbar stenosis.

Other medical conditions:

1) Hernias – inguinal or femoral hernia (where bowel or soft tissue bulges through a weak spot in the abdominal wall).

2) Kidney stone – a stone passing from the kidney via the ureter to the bladder can cause pain in the groin area; a bladder infection.

3) Infections – can cause lymph glands in the groin to enlarge and become painful or tender (i.e. mumps, infection of skin of leg or foot).

4) Skin conditions- such as yeast or ringworm infections.

5) Male genital conditions – torsion of the testicle, orchitis, prostate infection, epididymitis, cancer (testis, penis, prostate), hydrocoele, varicocoele, spermatocoele.

6) Female pelvic and genital conditions – endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease/infections, ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, cancer.

7) Colon/intestinal conditions – inflammation, infection, cancer, spasm, ischaemia/decreased blood flow.

8) Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

When should you see your doctor about groin pain?

  • if you have severe and/or sudden pain the groin.
  • if your groin pain is not improving, or if it is more frequent.
  • if you have a hernia that does not reduce with gentle pressure when lying down.
  • if you have difficulty or pain walking, or a limp.
  • if you have had unexplained weight loss.
  • if you have had night sweats or a fever.
  • if you have noticed a lump or swelling in your genital area (i.e. in the testicle).
  • if you have nausea and vomiting.
  • if you have tummy pain, constipation or cannot pass wind/flatulence.
  • if there is swelling in the area, redness, warmth, pus or tenderness.
  • if you have difficulty urinating, have lower backache or have noticed blood in your urine