The groin refers to the area between the abdomen and thighs. The inguinal region, which starts from the end of the abdomen, ends with the part where the legs begin. Leg and groin pain is among the most common complaints in this region. This situation, which usually occurs due to injuries during physical activities, should be conscious as it can also occur due to various health problems. . Unilateral groin pain usually occurs due to strain, pulling or tearing in the muscles and ligaments in this region. In particular, athletes who regularly perform challenging exercises constitute a risky group for the development of groin pain that hits the leg.
What Causes Groin Pain in Men?
Many different reasons can trigger the development of right and left groin pain in men. In order to fully elucidate the factor that causes groin pain, other accompanying symptoms can be quite instructive.
The causes of groin pain in men can be summarized as follows:
- Urinary Tract Infection: Urinary tract infections are disorders characterized by excessive bacterial growth in the part starting from the kidneys to the urethra. Urinary tract infections, which usually occur in the bladder, may cause other complaints such as persistent groin pain, pressure in the groin, frequent urination and painful urination.
- Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland, which is a structure responsible for the production of fluid in semen, for various reasons is called prostatitis. In cases of prostatitis, which can cause left inguinal pain in men, complaints may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as cloudy urination and painful ejaculation. It is a condition that expresses its outward protrusion with its weakening. Inguinal hernia, which is one of the most common hernia types, occurs due to weakness in the abdominal muscles. Inguinal hernias are a condition that affects men more often and cause pain in the groin. Especially in the form of a blunt pain that does not go away, hitting the waist groin pain may worsen when laughing, coughing or bending over, and this is among the characteristic features of hernia.
- Appendicitis: The appendix is a finger-shaped sac in the first part of the large intestines and It is located in the lower right region of the abdomen. Inflammation of this structure is called appendicitis and can cause severe groin pain. It is an important symptom for the detection of appendicitis cases that the pain occurs first in the form of upper inguinal pain around the belly button and then passes to the right side of the abdomen. Appendicitis is also among the causes of inguinal pain in children.
- Pudental Nerve Trap Neuropathy: The pudendal nerve, which is the main nerve of the inguinal region, is affected by the perception of the sensation of this region, including the belly button and the penis. is responsible. The entrapment of this nerve resulting in compression or damage in any region causes constant groin pain. The feature that distinguishes this groin pain from other pains is that it worsens with sitting.
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is one of the important causes of groin pain in men. The underlying cause of this condition, which is characterized by prostate tenderness, has not been fully elucidated for the time being. Symptoms such as inguinal muscle pain, erectile dysfunction and exacerbation of pain during sexual intercourse may also occur in this syndrome, which consists of temporary lower inguinal pain.
What Causes Groin Pain in Women?
Inguinal hernia, urinary tract infection and conditions that affect the nerves responsible for the sensation of this region can result in inguinal pain in women as well as in men. Apart from these common causes, the causes of common inguinal pain in women can be summarized as follows:
- Over (Ovarian) Cysts: Over cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can occur unilaterally or bilaterally. These cysts, which are among the frequently detected problems, do not usually cause any symptoms. In cysts that develop unilaterally, a pain occurs on that side depending on the affected ovary. In left-sided cysts, inguinal pain starts in the left groin and stays It can be reflected in the area between the lower abdomen and the lower abdomen, while cysts in the right ovary present with right inguinal pain in women. In addition to inguinal pain, swelling, pressure and sudden groin pain may occur with ovarian cysts. Severe and sudden onset pain may indicate that the cysts have ruptured. Since ovarian cyst rupture is a condition that requires urgent medical attention, care should be taken.
- Lymph Node Enlargement: There are many lymph nodes on both sides of the groin. Inflammation of these structures, called inguinal lymph nodes, may cause the development of inguinal pain. Lymph node swelling is usually a unilateral condition. This situation, which is among the causes of left groin pain in women, is a very common problem.
- Kidney Stone: Kidney stones are hard formations made up of various minerals and salts. Kidney stones usually do not cause any symptoms unless they move. In kidney stones that pass into the urinary tract, symptoms such as severe back pain, nausea, vomiting, color change in urine, and a decrease in the amount of urine produced while the frequency of urination increases, may occur, especially in the groin. In kidney stone cases, groin pain may also occur while walking.
- Osteitis Pubis: The structure called pubis symphysis refers to the junction of the hip bone in the area just above the external genital organs. Inflammatory conditions occurring in this structure can cause sharp pubic bone pain in the groin area, which worsens with actions such as climbing stairs, coughing or laughing. Osteitis pubis can also manifest itself as groin pain that prevents walking.
- Pregnancy: The enlargement of the uterus (womb) during pregnancy may cause pain in the groin area. In some women, in the last stages of pregnancy, the baby's head may press on the groin area, causing pain development.
How is Groin Pain Relief?
The answer to the question, How does groin pain go away, varies depending on the underlying cause of this condition. One of the most common causes of this situation, which is caused by compulsion or sports injury. Aches are conditions that can go away on their own with rest and simple applications. Physicians first determine the condition of this complaint and can create a treatment plan in accordance with the underlying condition.
Over cysts, which are among the causes of inguinal pain in women, are likely to regress spontaneously if the size is less than 5 centimeters. However, if there is no relief in the complaints, especially in the postmenopausal period, if the cyst grows or the symptoms become severe, surgical intervention can be performed. Bone fractures, inguinal hernias and kidney stones in this region are among the other causes of inguinal pain treated surgically.
Which department to go to for groin pain?
Although the answer to the question of which doctor to go to for groin pain varies depending on the underlying cause of the problem, general surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists can be asked to solve this problem. or urology specialists can be helped.
Inguinal pain is a problem that can occur for many different reasons and can affect both men and women. In both sexes, problems with the reproductive organs, urinary tract or internal organs may play a role in the emergence of this problem. In the presence of sudden onset, long-lasting or severe groin pain, it is recommended to apply to health institutions and get support from specialist physicians.
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