Groin pain
Pain - groin; Lower abdominal pain; Genital pain; Perineal painGroin pain refers to discomfort in the area where the abdomen ends and the legs begin. This article focuses on groin pain in men. The terms "groin" and "testicle" are sometimes used interchangeably. But what causes pain in one area does not always cause pain in the other.
Causes
Common causes of groin pain include:
- Pulled muscle, tendon, or ligaments in the leg -- This problem often occurs in people who play sports such as hockey, soccer, and football. This condition is sometimes called "sports hernia" although the name is misleading since it is not an actual hernia. It may also involve pain in the testicles. Pain most often improves with rest and medicines.
-
Hernia -- This problem occurs when there is a weak spot in the wall of the abdominal muscle that allows internal organs to press through. Surgery is needed to correct the weak spot.
Hernia
A hernia is a sac formed by the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The sac comes through a hole or weak area in the strong layer of the be...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Disease or injury to the hip joint.
Less common causes include:
- Inflammation of the testicle or epididymitis and related structures
Testicle
Orchitis is swelling (inflammation) of one or both of the testicles.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleEpididymitis
Epididymitis is swelling (inflammation) of the tube that connects the testicle with the vas deferens. The tube is called the epididymis.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Twisting of the spermatic cord that attaches to the testicle (testicular torsion)
Testicular torsion
Testicular torsion is twisting of the spermatic cord, which supports the testes in the scrotum. When this occurs, blood supply is cut off to the tes...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article -
Tumor of the testicle
Tumor of the testicle
A Leydig cell tumor is a tumor of the testicle. It develops from Leydig cells. These are the cells in the testicles that release the male hormone, ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article -
Kidney stone
Kidney stone
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Inflammation of the small or large intestine
- Skin infection
-
Enlarged lymph glands
Enlarged lymph glands
Lymph nodes are present throughout your body. They are an important part of your immune system. Lymph nodes help your body recognize and fight germ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article -
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection
If you swallow a foreign object, it can get stuck in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the esophagus (swallowing tube) to the colon (large intesti...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Problem with the artery or vein in the groin (femoral artery or vein)
Home Care
Home care depends on the cause. Follow your health care provider's recommendations.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if:
- You have ongoing groin pain for no reason.
- You have burning pain.
- You have pain with swelling of the scrotum.
Swelling of the scrotum
Scrotal swelling is abnormal enlargement of the scrotum. This is the name for the sac surrounding the testicles.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Pain affects only one testicle for more than 1 hour, especially if it started suddenly.
- You have noticed changes such as a testicular growth or change in skin color.
- There is blood in your urine.
Blood in your urine
Blood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will do an exam of the groin area and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, such as:
- Have you had a recent injury?
- Has there been a change in your activity, especially a recent strain, heavy lifting, or similar activity?
- When did the groin pain start? Is it getting worse? Does it come and go?
- What other symptoms do you have?
- Have you been exposed to any sexually transmitted diseases?
Tests that may be performed include:
- Blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) or blood differential
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleBlood differential
The blood differential test measures the percentage of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your blood. It also reveals if there are...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article -
Ultrasound or other scan
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article -
Urinalysis
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
References
Larson CM, Nepple JJ. Athletic pubalgia/core muscle injury and adductor pathology. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 84.
Reiman MP, Brotzman SB. Groin pain. In: Giangarra CE, Manske RC, eds. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: A Team Approach. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 67.
Review Date: 7/1/2023
Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.