Groin Pain In Women | Causes and Diagnosis
The groin area is the area on either side of the body where the stomach meets the legs. The area in the middle is the pubic area. Overuse, injury, and many other causes can result in groin pain. Groin pain can be severe or slight and may need to be treated by a doctor.
Groin Pain Causes
Groin pain is most commonly caused by acute injury or muscle strain during exercise such as running, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, lifting, falling, etc. as well as problems with the female reproductive system. Other causes of groin pain include hernia, kidney stones, ovarian cysts, bacterial infections, swollen lymph nodes, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, yeast infection, etc.
Symptoms
Usually, there are no external symptoms of groin injury or pain. You will, however, feel deep pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, and groin area. Sudden movements will cause additional pain. If you experience continued pain or any of the following, you should see a doctor:
- Severe pain and tenderness in the groin and inside of the thigh, pain when putting your legs together or raising your knee
- Swelling around the groin
- Cuts, lumps, or bleeding
- Hip or thigh movement issues
- Urinary problems
- Rash
Groin Pain Vs. Hernia
A groin strain injury and sports hernia are easy to mix up. A dull, painful ache that increases with activity is most likely a sports hernia. An inguinal hernia is an extremely painful bulge in the lower abdomen, which protrudes through a week section of the abdomen. Groin strain or injuries have symptoms of cramping, tightness, or pain when muscles are contracted or stretched. There are three grades of groin injuries, depending on pain and seriousness.
Groin Pain Diagnosis
A doctor can perform a physical exam to determine the cause and appropriate treatment for this disease. Sometimes, home treatment can relieve the pain, swelling, and bruising. Rest, ice packs, stretching, and supportive underwear can help heal groin pain caused by injury. A helpful way to remember groin pain treatment is the R.I.C.E. method – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If the pain doesn’t go away, gets worse, or you are experiencing a fever or swelling, you may have a hernia, in which case surgery may be necessary. A doctor can perform a hernia test, x-ray and ultrasound, or blood test.
You can prevent it by stretching and warming up both before and after activity. See a doctor if your pain is sever or worsening or you think you may have a hernia.