Groin pain: what can be and what to do

Groin pain is a common symptom in pregnant women and people who play high-impact sports, such as football, tennis or running. Generally, groin pain is not a serious symptom, it can appear on both the left and the right side of the groin due to the same causes, such as muscle strains, inguinal and abdominal hernias, infections and sciatica.

However, if the pain in the groin takes more than 1 week to disappear or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever above 38ºC, constant vomiting or bleeding in the urine, it is recommended to go to the doctor for tests and correctly identify the problem, starting the appropriate treatment.

Main causes of groin pain

Groin pain is a common symptom in both men and women, and can be caused by excessive gas, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, appendicitis or kidney stones, for example. However, the most common causes of groin pain are:

1. Pregnancy

It is common for women to experience pain and discomfort in the groin at the beginning and end of pregnancy and this is because the hip joints become looser to allow the fetus to develop and the belly to enlarge. Generally, groin pain in pregnancy worsens when the pregnant woman lies on her back, spreads her legs, goes up stairs or after making great efforts.

What to do: when groin pain happens during pregnancy, it is recommended to do light exercises, such as water aerobics or pilates, and use specific panties for pregnant women to increase the stability of the pelvic area and decrease discomfort. In addition, it is important to avoid stairs and only take medication if directed by the doctor.

2. Problems in the testicle

Some changes in the male genital region, such as epididymitis, orchitis, strokes or testicular torsion can lead to pain in the groin, in addition to pain in the testicles, which is quite uncomfortable for men and has a direct impact on their quality of life. Learn about other causes of testicular pain.

What to do: It is recommended that the urologist be consulted mainly if the pain lasts more than 3 days or if it is very intense and associated with other symptoms, in addition to directly interfering with the man's daily habits.

3. Muscle injury

Groin pain can also happen due to muscle damage that can happen after a run or due to excessive physical activity, and it can also happen when the person has a shorter leg than the other, even if the difference is only 1 cm, which can cause the person to walk in a bad way and cause pain and discomfort in the groin.

What to do: normally in these cases, no specific treatment is necessary and the pain goes away naturally without the need for medication. However, it is recommended to rest and apply ice to the affected area, until the pain subsides.

In cases where the pain worsens or if the hypothesis that there is a difference between the heights of the legs is considered, it is necessary to consult an orthopedist and perform radiographs to check if there is a need to wear shoes with an insole to match the height of the legs, and thus, decrease the pain and discomfort that may be felt in the groin.

4. Hernia

Groin pain can also happen due to an inguinal hernia or abdominal hernia, which happens when a small part of the intestine passes through the muscles of the abdominal wall and results in a bulge in the groin area, which can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. This type of hernia can happen due to the effort to evacuate or as a result of lifting excessive weight, for example. Learn to recognize inguinal hernia symptoms and main causes.

What to do: in these cases, it is recommended to apply ice in the region for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day, and to maintain rest, avoiding intense activities such as running or jumping. In addition, depending on the severity of the hernia, the doctor may recommend performing surgery to strengthen the muscles and eliminate the hernia.

5. Sciatica

Pain in the sciatic nerve, also called sciatica, can also lead to pain in the groin, which most often radiates to the leg and causes burning, which can be aggravated when the person walks or sits.

What to do: in the case of sciatica, it is recommended to avoid excessive physical exercise and consult a general practitioner or orthopedist so that the diagnosis is made and the best treatment can be indicated, which usually involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy sessions. Check out how the treatment for sciatica is done.

6. Infections

Some infections by viruses, fungi or bacteria can lead to the appearance of a small painful lump in the groin, indicating that the organism is acting against an infectious agent.

What to do: when there are no symptoms, there is usually no need for concern, and the lump should disappear over time. However, when other symptoms appear, such as discharge or pain when urinating, for example, it is important to go to the urologist or gynecologist to investigate the cause of the infection and start the most appropriate treatment.

7. Ovarian cyst

The presence of cysts in the ovaries can also cause pain and discomfort in the groin, especially in the first 3 days of menstruation. In addition to pain in the groin, you can still feel pain during intimate contact, weight gain and difficulty losing weight, for example. See more about ovarian cysts.

What to do: It is recommended that the woman go to the gynecologist as soon as the first symptoms appear so that an ultrasound is indicated to identify if it really is a cyst and what is the most indicated treatment, which can be through the use of contraceptives or surgery to remove the cysts.