In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about groin pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Table of Contents
- Groin Anatomy
- What’s the Cause of Your Groin Pain?
- Diagnosis of Groin Pain
- Treatment for Groin Pain
- Prolotherapy for Groin Pain
- When to Contact Your Doctor
- Preventing Groin Pain
- Homecare for Groin Pain
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact ProHealth Clinic
- Author Bio
- References
Groin Anatomy
The groin area is where your upper thigh meets your lower abdomen. It contains five key muscles that coordinate leg movement:
- Adductor magnus
- Adductor brevis
- Adductor longus
- Pectineus
- Gracilis
Groin pain often results from injury during physical activity, especially sports. Groin injury from running and improper warm-up can also contribute. Strength training and flexibility exercises are key for prevention.
What’s the Cause of Your Groin Pain?
Groin pain can affect anyone and may cause limping. Common and less common causes include:
More Prevalent Causes
- Groin strain or muscle/tendon/ligament injury (common in athletes and contact sports)
- Inguinal hernia (intestine tissue pushes through a weak spot in the groin, causing a lump and pain)
- Kidney stones (can cause groin, labia, or testicular pain, plus nausea/vomiting)
- Bone fractures or hip osteonecrosis (dull ache from reduced blood supply to hip bone)
Less Prevalent Causes
- Testicular or intestinal inflammation
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Labral tears (hip joint soft tissue injury)
- Pinched nerves
- Ovarian cysts
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Diagnosis of Groin Pain
Most groin pain and hip problems heal on their own, but see a healthcare provider if pain is severe, prolonged, or accompanied by swelling or fever. Diagnosis includes:
- Physical exam and symptom review
- Hernia test (for men: scrotal exam with cough)
- X-ray and ultrasound (to check for masses, cysts, or fractures)
- Complete blood count (CBC) to check for infection
Treatment for Groin Pain
Treatment depends on the cause. Minor strains can be managed at home, while severe cases may need medical attention.
Home Care
- Rest and reduce physical activity for a few weeks
- Ice packs for 20 minutes several times a day
- Over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) or acetaminophen
Medical Treatment
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy for recurring injuries
- Antibiotics for UTIs
- Surgery for fractures, hernias, or severe injuries
Prolotherapy for Groin Pain
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat groin pain.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This stimulates the production of collagen cells, which are needed to repair the damage and help groin pain.
As prolotherapy treats the root cause of groin pain, it is considered a permanent fix, preventing symptoms from returning.
When to Contact Your Doctor
See your doctor if you have moderate to severe groin or testicular pain that doesn’t improve after a few days. Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Swelling or lumps in the testicles
- Blood in urine
- Pain radiating to the lower back, abdomen, or chest
- Nausea, fever, or sudden severe testicular pain
These may indicate serious conditions like testicular torsion or epididymitis.
Preventing Groin Pain
- Warm up and stretch before physical activity
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Use proper lifting techniques
- Avoid overuse and repetitive strain
Homecare for Groin Pain
- Rest: Avoid using the injured area as much as possible.
- NSAIDs: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Ice: Apply ice packs or heat to the affected area for short periods to reduce pain and promote healing.
- Stretching: Gentle physical therapy exercises or stretching can help maintain flexibility and reduce discomfort.
If symptoms persist or worsen, consult your healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I be concerned about groin pain?
You should be concerned if your groin pain does not improve with home treatment after a few days, or if you notice swelling, lumps, fever, blood in urine, or severe pain. These may indicate a more serious condition requiring prompt medical attention.
What is the most common cause of groin pain?
The most common cause is a muscle, ligament, or tendon strain, especially in athletes. Other causes include hernias, kidney stones, fractures, and joint issues.
How do you treat groin pain?
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) are first-line treatments. NSAIDs, gentle stretching, and physical therapy may also help. Severe or persistent cases may require medical intervention.
What can cause pain in the groin area of a woman?
Common causes include muscle strain, ovarian cysts, urinary tract infections, osteoarthritis, and pregnancy-related changes. Always consult a doctor for persistent or severe pain.
Can sitting down too much cause groin pain?
Yes, prolonged sitting can cause stiffness and discomfort in the groin, especially if you have underlying hip or joint issues. Regular movement and stretching can help prevent this.
What is groin pain a symptom of?
Groin pain can be a symptom of hip injury, osteoarthritis, nerve issues, testicular problems, or even tumors or infections. Proper diagnosis is important for effective treatment.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let groin pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
Phone: +441234380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
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London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
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All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating groin pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with groin pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
LinkedIn profile
References
- Smith M W. Why Does My Groin Hurt? WebMD. Sept, 2020. https://www.webmd.com
- Asomugha E U. Causes of Groin Pain and Treatment Options. Verywell Health. Nov, 2021. https://www.verywellhealth.com/
- Morrison W. What Causes Groin Pain and How to Treat It. Healthline. April, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/
- Bell A M. What can cause groin pain? Medical News Today. Jul, 2020. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/