Groin pain
Groin 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.
Groin muscles
The groin muscles are a group of 5 muscles called the adductors. They are the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus. They connect from the pelvis to the inside of the thigh bone (femur) and the top inside of the shin bone (tibia). Your groin muscles allow you to move your leg toward the center of your body. They also help with balance and stabilization. These muscles are prone to strains and tears caused by overuse or sudden movements, like twisting or turning sharply.
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...
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- 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
- Urinary tract infection
- 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...
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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
- Ultrasound or other scan
- 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...
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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.
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.