When Should I Worry About Male Groin Pain?

Contact your doctor if you have groin pain and the cause is unknown, the pain is severe, there is a burning pain sensation, the scrotum is swollen, it doesn't go away, there are noticeable changes (a testicular growth or change in skin color), or you have blood in the urine.

Groin pain is pain and discomfort in the part of the body where the abdomen ends and the legs begin. 

Common symptoms of male groin pain may include:

• Pain that can come on suddenly or develop over time
• Pain may range from mild to severe and debilitating
• Pain in the lower abdomen that may worsen with coughing, sneezing, or straining during a bowel movement 
• Pain often goes away with rest
• Pain or tenderness in the area when touched or with deep muscle compression such as from certain types of exercises that strain deep pelvic-floor muscles, such as abdominal crunches
• Swelling, discoloration or bruising, or stiffness in the groin, upper leg, or hip, 
• Joint disruption
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain in the genitals

13 Signs When Groin Pain Is Serious

Contact a doctor if you have groin pain and:

• You don’t know why 
• It is severe 
• A burning pain sensation
• It is accompanied by swelling of the scrotum
• Sudden, severe testicle pain 
• Mild testicle pain that lasts more than a few days
• There are noticeable changes such as a testicular growth or change in skin color
• Blood in urine
• It is associated with back, abdomen, or chest pain
• Testicle pain and swelling accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, or blood in the urine
• Pain doesn't improve with home treatment within a few days
• A lump or swelling in or around a testicle
• Intermittent intense pain along the lower side of your abdomen (flank) that may radiate along the groin and into the testicle

The most common cause of male groin pain muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries is from sports such as football, hockey, or soccer. 

Other types of injuries such as fractures, or conditions such as a hernia, or kidney stones can cause groin pain in males. 

Common causes of male groin pain include:

• Injury
  • Bone injury or fracture
  • Disease or injury to the hip joint
  • Muscle strains 
  • Pulled muscle, tendon, or ligaments in the leg 
  • Sprains 
  • Stress fractures 
  • Tendinitis 
• Medical conditions
  • Death of bone tissue due to limited blood flow (osteonecrosis)
  • Enlarged lymph glands
  • Hydrocele (fluid buildup that causes swelling of the scrotum)
  • Inflammation of the small or large intestine
  • Inguinal hernia 
  • Joint inflammation (bursitis)
  • Kidney stones 
  • Mumps 
  • Osteoarthritis 
  • Pinched nerve 
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Sciatica 
  • Skin infection
  • Swollen lymph nodes 
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI) 
• Testicular/scrotal problems
  • Retractile testicle (testicle that moves between the scrotum and abdomen)
  • Scrotal masses 
  • Spermatocele (fluid buildup in the testicle)
  • Testicular cancer/tumor
  • Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
  • Testicular inflammation (epididymitis or orchitis)
  • Twisting of the spermatic cord that attaches to the testicle (testicular torsion)
  • Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)

Male groin pain is diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination of the groin, 

Tests that may be performed include:

• Blood tests 
  • Complete blood count (CBC) 
  • Blood differential
• Imaging tests
  • Ultrasound 
  • X-ray 
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Urinalysis

Treatment for male groin pain depends on the cause. 

Home Remedies

If male groin pain is caused by a strain or sprain, home remedies may be all that is needed, such as:

• When the injury first occurs, use the RICE method: 
  • Rest
    • Avoid any activities or sports that could strain the area
    • Some injuries may require crutches or reduced weight bearing
  • Ice: to decrease pain, swelling, and redness
    • If an injury is iced immediately, it may prevent some inflammation
    • Use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel
    • Ice the area for 20 to 30 minutes two to four times a day 
  • Compression: to prevent inflammation
    • Use elastic wraps such as Ace bandages or a compression garment
    • Do not wrap too tightly
  • Elevation: propped up the affected leg to help reduce fluid buildup in the injured tissue
    • Keep the groin above the level of the heart by using a pillow or bolster
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers 
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Other Treatments

• Physical therapy may be needed if home remedies are not sufficient and may include isometric stretching/strengthening and exercises that teach body awareness (proprioception). 
• For severe and/or chronic male groin injuries, surgery may be indicated.