Pain In The Groin Area Female
Groin pain in females is most often caused by muscle strain. However, many other possible causes, include urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, appendicitis, kidney stones, and osteoarthritis (OA). Groin pain can also be related to pregnancy. This article discusses 14 common causes of female groin pain and how each is treated. Verywell / Katie Kerpel
Contents
What can cause pain in the groin area of a woman that comes and goes?
There are many different causes of groin pain, including hernia, cysts, enlarged lymph nodes, urinary tract infections, inflammation of the joints in your pelvis and damage to any of the muscles, ligaments or tendons in your groin area.
Will groin pain go away?
How Are Groin Strains Treated? – With rest and proper treatment, most groin strains heal on their own in about 4–8 weeks. More severe groin strains can take longer. It is very important to let the strain heal fully and get the doctor’s OK before going back to activities.
Rest the area and avoid activities that cause pain. For the first day or two, put an ice pack on the area 3–4 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. Put a towel between the ice and the skin to protect it from the cold. Use an elastic wrap to help support the groin and keep the swelling down. Raise the groin by lying down and putting pillows under the hips to lift the hips and thighs. Take medicine for pain such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or store brand) or acetaminophen (Tylenol or store brand). Follow the directions that come with the medicine for how much to take and how often.
When the doctor says it’s OK, people with a groin strain can do strengthening and stretching muscles through physical therapy (PT) or an at-home exercise program.
What is the most common cause of groin pain?
The most common cause of groin pain is a muscle, tendon or ligament strain, particularly in athletes who play sports such as hockey, soccer and football. Groin pain might occur immediately after an injury, or pain might come on gradually over a period of weeks or even months.
- Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis)
- Avulsion fracture (ligament or tendon pulled from the bone)
- Bursitis
- Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)
- Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)
- Inguinal hernia
- Kidney stones (hard objects that form due to chemicals in urine)
- Mumps
- Muscle strains
- Orchitis (inflamed testicle)
- Osteoarthritis
- Pinched nerve
- Piriformis syndrome
- Retractile testicle (testicle that moves between the scrotum and abdomen)
- Sciatica
- Scrotal masses
- Spermatocele (fluid buildup in the testicle)
- Sprains
- Stress fractures
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tendinitis
- Testicular cancer
- Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
What organ causes groin pain?
How to Relieve Groin Muscle Pain in 30 SECONDS
The most common cause of groin pain in men and women are hernias or enlarged lymph nodes.
How do doctors check groin pain?
Groin Pain Diagnosis The complexity of groin anatomy and groin injuries in general can make them a challenge to diagnose. Athletes consulting their doctors about their groin pain are advised to plan for a comprehensive examination process that may require more than one visit.
- McKee, J. What’s causing a patient’s groin pain? Hip disorders and other coexisting, nonorthopaedic conditions may be at play.
- AAOS Now, October 2013.
- Http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/oct13/clinical10.asp,
- Accessed December 15, 2014.
- See As a general rule, it is advisable to consult a doctor with a specialization in sports medicine for diagnosing groin pain.
Doctors typically use a multi-tiered approach to diagnosing the root cause(s) of groin pain, as follows:
Detailed patient history The first and most important part of the diagnostic process is a complete patient history so a treatment plan can be customized to meet the unique needs of the patient. This usually consists of a thorough patient interview to determine exactly how, when, and where the symptoms began. For example, who is the patient and what are his or her athletic demands? When and where did the injury occur? How did the injury happen? What is the character of the pain and what makes the pain better or worse?
- Physical examination The doctor will likely tailor the physical exam around the findings from the patient history. Patients may be asked to sit, stand, lie prone, and walk during the exam, so the doctor can evaluate their gait, balance, hip flexion and range of motion, strength, and other factors such as pelvic alignment. Doctors may palpate (touch) the injury site to determine which tissue(s) is affected or place the joint in specific positions to attempt to reproduce the pain.
- Diagnostic imaging X-ray or ultrasound are typically used initially, based on the doctor’s probable suspected diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently necessary to diagnose soft tissue groin injuries and some stress fractures.
Blood tests Because some types of groin injury involve secondary infections and/or other systemic symptoms, doctors may elect to do complete blood counts and other common types of blood tests when diagnosing groin injuries.
Once the cause of the groin injury is determined, the correct treatment protocol can be applied. See Next Page: Pages:
: Groin Pain Diagnosis
Can bowel problems cause groin pain?
Constipation – Chronic constipation can have many etiology causes, but if you are dealing with a new pattern, it is best to consult your primary doctor. Chronic constipation can cause additional groin pain by causing a hernia or tearing muscles with a difficult bowel movement.
Can groin pain last for months?
The most common cause of groin pain is a muscle, tendon or ligament strain, particularly in athletes who play sports such as hockey, soccer and football. Groin pain might occur immediately after an injury, or pain might come on gradually over a period of weeks or even months.
- Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis)
- Avulsion fracture (ligament or tendon pulled from the bone)
- Bursitis
- Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)
- Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)
- Inguinal hernia
- Kidney stones (hard objects that form due to chemicals in urine)
- Mumps
- Muscle strains
- Orchitis (inflamed testicle)
- Osteoarthritis
- Pinched nerve
- Piriformis syndrome
- Retractile testicle (testicle that moves between the scrotum and abdomen)
- Sciatica
- Scrotal masses
- Spermatocele (fluid buildup in the testicle)
- Sprains
- Stress fractures
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Tendinitis
- Testicular cancer
- Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
