Groin Pain in Women

When you hear the words "groin pain" most people think of the groin pull that happens to male athletes (especially sprinters). But there are many possible causes of groin pain in women too - and most have nothing to do with sports.

In this article, we'll list and describe some of the most common reasons for groin pain in women.

First, let's define what we mean when we use the word "groin." For our purposes, we'll consider the groin to be the general area at the bottom of the abdomen where the legs begin. We could also describe the groin as "the long narrow depression of the human body that separates the trunk from the legs (the definition found in Wikitionary). 

As far as athletics goes, many of the same things that can cause groin pain in a man can also happen in a woman. Notably the "groin pull " mentioned above. This type of groin pull occurs when the adductor muscles of the upper thighs are stretched or over-extended. Technically, you would probably consider this more of a leg injury. But over the years, the pain caused by this injury has commonly become known as groin pain, so we include it for consideration here.

Tearing any muscle or ligament near the hip joint can also cause groin pain in women.

Of course, groin pain can also come from a heavy or sharp blow to the groin area. Women who play soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and other sports that generate a lot of bodily contact are prone to this type of injury.

Non-sports related groin pain in women

Some causes of groin pain in women are common and relatively easy to identify. Some are not.

Pregnancy is probably the number one cause of groin pain in women. It can occur in various stages of pregnancy, for various causes related to the pregnancy, and could include lower back pain, pain in the genital area, and pain in the upper thighs and hip joints. These problems often result from the additional strain on muscles and joints in the groin area that results from carrying a baby.

An ectopic pregnancy, in which a fertilized egg begins to grow outside the uterus, can cause severe groin pain.

Nerve and spinal problems Often, damage or disease in the spinal column can cause something called "referred pain." This means the pain originates in one place, but travels along a nerve pathway and is actually felt somewhere else. That "somewhere else" is often around the front in the groin area.

Kidney stones Often kidney stone pain presents in the flank area. That is, the area the back between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the pelvis. You feel the pain more toward your side than your spinal column. Pain can radiate from the flanks around to the groin. You can also feel some groin pain when a stone moves from the kidney down through the ureter and into the bladder.

Speaking of the bladder, women can also get groin pain from a bladder infection. this may also be called a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Groin discomfort is usually accompanied by a stinging or burning pain during urination.

Other types of infections that strike the groin area can cause inflammation and swelling of lymph nodes in the area. This can also result in groin pain.

Inflammation from other diseases and disorders can cause groin pain too. Arthritis leads the list of these. Arthritis pain occurs when joints become inflamed. This can be the result of an injury, of overuse through the years, or simply advancing age.

Sexually transmitted diseases are a frequent cause of discomfort in the lower abdomen.

There are, of course, a number of problems related to abdominal organs that cause groin pain in women, including ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease.

There are a number of disorders related to the intestines that can be considered. These include ischemic colitis, spastic colon (also known as irritable bowel syndrome or IBS), and Crohn's disease.

Finally, there's an inguinal hernia. This condition in which tissue or an organ pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, is much more common in men than in women. But it's possible for an inguinal hernia to happen to a women too, so we thought it should at least be mentioned here.

Treatment

Treat of groin pain in women, naturally, depends on the cause of the problem.

Many types of groin pain in women heal on their own and no treatment is needed. However, if you've been suffering from groin pain for more than a few days, it's time to call your doctor.

Call your doctor immediately if groin pain is severe and is accompanied by nausea or vomiting and abdominal swelling. It could be appendicitis, in which case you need medical attention as soon as possible.