Groin Pain In Men | Causes And Diagnosis

The groin is the area of the hip between the stomach and thighs – where the abdomen ends and legs begin. Pain in the groin can be defined as any discomfort in this general region. It typically stems from an injury from physical activity, most often a strained or pulled muscle.

The most common causes of groin pain is injury during sports (typically a contact sport like football, rugby hockey, etc.) Contact sports often result in the strain of the muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the groin area. Another common cause is an inguinal hernia, which occurs when tissues push through a weak spot in the muscle. It is a soft swelling, which can protrude to the scrotum. Though typically painless at first, it can lead to severe pain and requires surgery. Untreated hernias require emergency surgery. Kidney stones are another common cause of this pain. When stones pass from the kidney to the bladder, it presents as abdominal pain and can be associated with nausea and vomiting.

Other, less common causes include:

• Intestinal inflammation
• Testicular inflammation – Caused by viral infection, the scrotum gets swollen, red, and warm and becomes very painful. Antibiotics can typically treat inflammation

• Pinched nerves
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Back problems
• Skin infection of the scrotum – Presenting as swelling and redness in the skin, sometimes looking like a pimple
• Prostate Infection
• Testicular or penile cancers
• Torsion of a testicle – Occurring when a testicle rotates
• Swollen lymph nodes

Diagnosis Of Groin Pain

Groin pain typically resolves on its own. If the pain is result of injury, resting and taking a break from physical activity should allow the area to heal. Pain medications and ice packs will usually help with the pain.

If prolonged pain persists, or you are experiencing a fever or swelling, groin pain can be more serious and you should see a doctor. A doctor can perform a hernia test, x-ray and ultrasound, or blood test. If the pain is caused by a broken bone or fracture, you may need surgery to correct a hernia.

Preventing Groin Pain

The best way to prevent groin pain caused by muscle strain is by stretching and warming up before physical activity. To prevent hernias, maintain a healthy weight and lift heavy object carefully.

Treatment Of Groin Pain

If groin pain persists, worsens, or is severe, you should see a doctor to diagnose and treat groin pain.