Groin Pain in Women

The groin is the region where the abdomen ends and the legs start, on either side of the pubic area. This area is prone to injury due to rigorous movements, muscle pulls or even accidents. Pain in this area can also be caused by numerous internal factors. While mild groin injuries heal on their own, special medical attention is required for severe groin pain, which can cause a lot of discomfort while walking, sitting and even sleeping. In women, groin pain can be caused by certain medical conditions like inguinal hernia, kidney stones or ovarian cysts. Sports activities and vehicle accidents also are major causes of groin pain in women. Here's a look into the causes of this pain, as well as the treatment used for this condition.

Causes of Female Groin Pain

Following are some general causes of groin pain in women:

• Groin Injury: Groin pain can result from a direct blow on the groin region, or falling in a way that hurts the area. In case of athletes, hyper-extension of the groin muscles might lead to a sprain in the groin, causing severe pain. Tearing or straining any muscle near the hip joint may also lead to groin pain.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, certain hormonal changes occur that increase slackness of the pelvic joints. Hence, women are more likely to develop groin pain during pregnancy. Groin pain is known to occur in various stages of pregnancy. Some women might also experience pain in the lower back, genital area, upper thighs and hip joints.
• Referred Pain: Pain in or injury of other body parts may radiate toward the groin and thereby cause groin pain in women. This is known as referred pain or radiating pain. For instance, the pain caused by a pulled back, thigh or leg muscle may radiate towards the groin and result in pain.

Other possible causes for female groin pain, which should be given due attention if one has not suffered from any injuries, may include:

• Presence of kidney stones: Patients may experience severe groin pain if they have kidney stones, and when the stone passes through the ureter.
• Urinary tract infection: It is a known fact that women are more prone to developing UTI, one of the effects of which is groin pain. In fact, UTI is known to be one of the most common causes for female groin pain.
• Ovarian cysts: Another leading cause of groin pain in women is the presence of ovarian cysts, which in some cases may be severe and result in groin pain and several other symptoms.
• Infections in the groin and the loin region: Certain bacterial infections may cause swellings and lumps in the groin/loin area causing pain.
• Enlargement of lymph nodes: Lymph node swelling due to the infection in groin region may also be a cause of groin pain.
• Genital herpes: Patients with genital herpes may experience some degree of groin pain.
• Hip pain: Short-term or long-term injuries or infections to the hip joint, such as arthritis, trochanteric bursitis, snapping hip syndrome, fracture to the hip joint, and stress fracture to the hip joints (especially in case of athletes) are also leading causes of groin pain.

Other causes for groin pain in women may include ischemia, spasms, inflammation or infection of the large intestine, specific pelvic problems like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ectopic pregnancy, severe back pain and spine injuries, all of which can result in a dull or severe pain in the groin.

Diagnosis of Female Groin Pain

There are various techniques that your physician might utilize in order to diagnose the exact reason of groin pain. He will check for the duration you have had the pain, its severity, and for symptoms that are common to this kind of pain. The following are some of the tests that help the physician in finding the causes of groin pain.

• Physical Tests: The physician will first observe the affected area for any kind of swelling. He might make you perform certain abrupt exhaling exercises to see if a swelling or a cyst appears when pressure is applied on the groin area. Determination of a groin lump helps the physician to decide the type of groin pain and see if the pain is due to inguinal hernia, abscess or any other cause. The doctor will also examine the lymph nodes, the back and the hips.
• Radiological Examination: Certain radiological tests will be performed to confirm the type of groin pain and hernia. Doppler test, pelvic and lumbar X-rays, CT scans of the pubic symphysis, and pyelograms to detect kidney stones might also be performed if found necessary by the physician.
• Other Tests: Tests for the full blood count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate test (ESR), as well as electrolytes and renal function tests will be performed by the physician. Urine culture, urinalysis and microscopic urine tests will need to be performed. A swab culture will also be checked if lumps are observed. This will help test and diagnose syphilitic ulcer, genital herpes or Chancroid.

Treatment for Female Groin Pain

Treatment for groin pain in women depends on the results of the various tests performed. Specific drugs and medication are available, based on the cause of groin pain. Medication will be suggested with respect to the symptoms, the severity, and duration of the groin pain. In certain cases, such as the presence of ovarian cysts or an inguinal hernia, surgery may be necessary.

Individuals suffering from groin pain for a long periods of time should immediately consult a physician. A timely checkup, diagnosis and good medical follow-up can provide fast recovery from groin pain.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.