Female Groin Pain

Groin pain is basically related to an irritating pain in the region where the abdomen ends and the legs start. Quite common in both men and women, it is often the result of a groin (adductor muscle) pull or strain. Also termed as genital pain or perineal pain, female groin pain can occur due to many reasons. Whether it is left groin or right groin pain, the severity of the condition mainly depends on the cause of the pain. The groin muscles comprise adductor magnus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, pectineus, and gracilis, hence any destruction or inflammation of these muscles can lead to groin pain.

Causes
There are numerous reasons that contribute to groin pain in females, and some of them are given below:

• Groin Injury: Sharp pain in female groin can occur from a direct blow, sudden fall or an injury in the groin region. More common in athletes and sportswomen, severe pain in females may result from tearing or straining of the groin muscles.
• Hip Pain: An injury or infection in the hip joint, like hip bursitis, snapping hip syndrome, fracture of the hip joint, arthritis or trochanteric bursitis can also be some prominent causes of groin pain in females.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy can be a prime cause of pain in female groin area, as the body undergoes certain hormonal changes that increase the slackness of the pelvic joints. Pain in the lower back, genital area, upper thighs and hip joints are some other symptoms along with groin pain that a woman may suffer during pregnancy.
• Femoral Hernia: Femoral hernia occurs in the lower abdomen when a part of intestine protrudes through an abnormal opening in the abdominal wall. It is primarily characterized by presence of a painful bulge or knot, developed by the intestines under the skin near the thigh. Apart from groin pain, abdominal pain and swelling, constipation, groin swelling, fever, nausea, and vomiting are some other symptoms of femoral hernia in females.
• Osteitis Pubis: Another common cause is osteitis pubis which is an inflammation or rupture of the cartilage that connects the front bones of the pelvis.
• Myositis Ossificans: Quite common in athletes, myositis ossificans is a condition where the muscle calcifies due to excessive stress or trauma on the muscles, especially thigh muscles.
• Iliopsoas Bursitis: Iliopsoas strain or iliopsoas bursitis is another leading cause for groin pain, aggravated by flexion of the hip which is typically felt in the front of the hip and groin regions.
• Other Factors: Kidney stones, urinary tract infections, genital herpes, infection of large intestine, pelvic disorders like ovarian cyst, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy, and enlargement of lymph nodes are some more probable causes of groin pain in women.

Diagnosis
There are different ways to diagnose the actual cause of groin pain in females, like, the doctor may ask you to perform some abrupt breathing exercises to determine if the swelling or the cyst appears when pressure is applied on the groin area. The doctor may also search if there is any groin lump development, as this will enable to diagnose whether the pain is due to inguinal hernia, abscess or any other cause. Radiological tests like doppler test, pelvic and lumbar X-rays, CT scans of the pubic symphysis, pyelograms may be conducted to confirm the type of groin pain, hernia and presence of kidney stones. Other tests like the erythrocyte sedimentation rate test (ESR), electrolytes and renal function tests, blood test, urinalysis, etc., can be performed by the physician to check the overall health condition.

Treatment
Treatment depends upon the underlying cause. For instance, if the pain is due to adductor muscle pull or strain, R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression and elevation) is the best way to relief the pain or discomfort. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications are also helpful in alleviating the pain or swelling in the groin area. However, if the pain is due to femoral hernia, the patient may have to undergo a surgery.

Gentle groin stretching and strengthening program comprising low intensity exercises are also effective in subsiding the pain. However, regular check up and medical follow-up will not only speed up the recovery period but will also reduce the recurrence chances of groin pain in females.