Pulling in the groin refers to an extremely distressing pain in the groin area. This is where the pain starts or radiates to this area. A doctor should be consulted, as serious or even life-threatening diseases can also be behind this pain.
What is pulling in the groin?
The groin area is a particularly weak part of the body. Hernias very often occur here, in which parts of the intestines and peritoneum can then become trapped. In most cases, pulling in the groin affects men more than women. However, this pain does not represent a disease pattern in its own right. These complaints are basically only to be considered as symptoms. The groin is located at the bottom of the abdominal wall. The groin area is a particularly weak part of the body. Hernias very often occur here, in which parts of the intestine and peritoneum can then become trapped. In this case, the tissue dies and the consequences are very serious. Often pulling in the groin turns out to be harmless, but a doctor should always be consulted. Thus, in any case, serious diseases and complications can be excluded.
Causes
The causes of pulling in the groin are very diverse. Most often, the discomfort in the groin area is due to a hernia. Here, men are much more often affected by this problem than women. In particular, strenuous and forceful physical exertion can lead to inguinal hernia. The inguinal region is therefore a kind of predetermined hernia site, which remains a weak point even with high levels of athletic training. If there is now a strain on the connective tissue in the inguinal canal, it quite often ruptures. The groin is ruptured, and internal organs can become trapped in the rupture. These are usually parts of the intestine or peritoneum. The affected tissue then dies. Intestinal obstruction can also be caused by a hernia. In addition, of course, there may be other causes of pulling in the groin. For example, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area are also causally responsible for groin pain. Furthermore, there are causes of orthopedic nature, such as errors in posture, a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, tendon problems, femoral head necrosis or strains often cause pain in the groin area. However, changes in the vessels, varicose veins or aneurysms in the groin area are also responsible for the discomfort.
Diseases with this symptom
- Inguinal hernia
- Herniated disc
- Urinary tract infection
- Cycle disorders
- Peritonitis
- Intestinal obstruction
- Aneurysm
- Epididymitis
- Testicular torsion
- Ureteral stone
- Groin strain
- Osteonecrosis of the femoral head
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Lymphadenitis
- Testicular inflammation
Diagnosis and course
The symptoms of pulling in the groin should always be examined by a doctor. If a hernia has already occurred, many complications can occur. The doctor then takes a patient history by conducting an intensive interview with the affected person. Existing and past diseases as well as family risks are discussed. If there are problems in the groin area, physical examinations are performed, mainly involving palpation of the affected area. These examinations usually lead quickly to a diagnosis. A hernia in the groin is fairly easy to detect, as this incident usually involves tissue pushing outward and becoming visible externally. This is an indication that parts of internal organs are already pushing through the hernia. Although the protrusion can usually be returned to the body, complications can occur at any time. To locate the site of the hernia, the doctor will palpate the gates. If the causes of the pain are orthopedic in nature, the doctor may test the movements to make a diagnosis. Furthermore, ultrasound and laboratory tests as well as X-rays may be performed to make a diagnosis.
Complications
A pull in the groin has several causes, which can carry various complications.An example here may be an inguinal hernia, in which loops of intestine can squeeze through the inguinal canal and thus become constricted. As a result, this section of intestine can become inflamed and consequently die, causing it to lose its function. Furthermore, the inflammation can also spread to the abdominal cavity and inflame other intestinal segments, causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Another rather rare complication is that the inguinal hernia squeezes off the vessels supplying the testicle, thus reducing the blood supply to the testicle. This can severely limit fertility (infertility). In addition, thromboses can form more easily in the leg veins, which can eventually break loose and be carried with the bloodstream towards the lungs. This then results in pulmonary embolism, which is characterized by shortness of breath and chest pain. Drawing can also be caused by urinary tract infections. In the worst case, cystitis can spread through the bloodstream and become systemic. The urosepsis that results is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate emergency medical attention. Furthermore, the inflammation can also spread towards the kidneys. These can also become inflamed and end in kidney failure (renal insufficiency) as a result.
When should you go to the doctor?
In addition to organic diseases, musculoskeletal conditions must also be considered for groin pain. Thus, if the groin pain needs to be treated, an internal medicine (possibly also hematology or oncology) or urology examination/treatment is required. If these specialist examinations do not lead to satisfactory results, treatment by a physiotherapist is required, as well as an orthopedic and technical (e.g., by means of ultrasound, CT, etc.) examination. In any case, a doctor should be consulted if the pain persists for several days. Even more so if it increases in intensity or spreads to the surrounding regions. If other pain symptoms occur, such as neck pain, headaches or back pain, the doctor is also required. The same applies if a crooked gait, an incorrect posture of the pelvis or a tilted position of the head symptomatically accompanies the groin pain. If the groin pain is on the right side and associated with nausea and fever, a doctor should be informed immediately. It may be appendicitis. If swelling or bumps can be seen or felt when coughing while standing, the doctor should be visited immediately. It could be an inguinal hernia, through which organs as well as nerves and vessels may no longer be supplied with blood properly. A visit to the doctor is not necessary if the groin pain (unilateral or bilateral) has completely subsided after a period of rest and does not recur even temporarily.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of pulling in the groin is designed according to the particular cause. If the pain is acute and very severe, it is sometimes necessary to call an emergency physician. In this way, life-threatening situations can be prevented by invasive interventions. This can be the case, for example, of an incarcerated inguinal hernia, testicular torsion or even bladder stones. But also very sudden pain in the abdomen is usually an emergency. To prevent these complications, an inguinal hernia should always be sutured in the classical way. The so-called keyhole surgery is also useful. Depending on the diagnosis, affected lymph nodes can also be operated on and treated with medication. It is of great importance to treat existing underlying diseases. In the case of orthopedic diseases, the physician can treat both the symptoms and the cause. The so-called athlete’s groin primarily requires a break from training. But the other causes of pulling in the groin also require individual treatment.
Outlook and prognosis
A pulling in the groin can be caused by very different diseases and complaints and for this reason always requires medical examination and treatment. Therefore, it is usually not possible to give a general prediction for the course of this symptom. However, pulling in the groin results in relatively severe restrictions in movement and everyday life. The patient’s quality of life decreases. Furthermore, breathing difficulties may also occur, so that the affected person may suffer from shortness of breath or chest pain.In some cases, shortness of breath also leads to panic attacks. In the further course, inflammations can also develop, which spread to other regions of the body. This can also affect the kidneys, leading to renal insufficiency and making the patient dependent on dialysis. As a rule, acute emergencies are treated surgically by an emergency physician. Complications occur mainly if the symptoms are ignored over a longer period of time. Whether life expectancy is limited by pulling in the groin depends on the underlying disease.
Prevention
To prevent pulling in the groin, sufferers have several options. To prevent the hernia, the physical normal weight should be aimed, the diet should be healthy, and heavy physical exertion should be avoided. In this way, joint problems can also be prevented. This approach also reduces the risk of urinary stones formation, because they can also cause pulling in the groin area.
Here’s what you can do yourself
There are numerous ways for sufferers to prevent a pull in the groin area. To prevent a hernia, the normal physical weight should be maintained. According to current scientific opinions, this corresponds to approximately a BMI of 20-25. A healthy, balanced diet can not only help reduce weight, it can simultaneously lead to symptom relief. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of exercise also reduces the risk of urinary stones. These can also be responsible for the pulling in the groin. In addition, too much physical exertion should be avoided. When lifting and carrying massive objects, it is also important to do it in the right way. When lifting weights, the affected person should never bend over. Instead, bending at the knees to lift the object with a straight back is recommended. This can prevent pain in the groin area. By regularly exercising the muscles used in the abdomen and trunk, it is possible to strengthen them, which can also lead to the prevention of pulling in the groin.
