Introduction
Inflammation of the groin or groin region can have a wide variety of causes and reasons. There are a number of different tissues and structures in the groin that could become inflamed. For example, lymph nodes, hair follicles and hair follicles are located in the groin, just as the skin in the groin can become inflamed.
Causes of inguinal inflammation
Depending on the affected structure and the associated clinical picture, the causes are completely different. Inflammation or swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin area can be caused by injuries, infections and inflammation in the area of the drainage area of the corresponding lymph node. Most of the lymph fluid from the legs flows out through the lymph nodes in the groin.
If an infection occurs, for example in the foot area, it is most likely that the lymph nodes in the groin will also swell. Pain in the groin – these are the most common causes and lymph node swelling after surgery
- Fungal infection of the skin
- Psoriasis
- Carbuncle or follicle inflammation
- Inguinal Hernia
- Inflammation of the female genital organs
- Disease of the testicles
- Inflammation of the pubic bone
- Sports injuries due to overloading
If one finds an inflammation of the skin in the groin in particular, it may be an infection with fungi or bacteria in this region. Inflammation of the groin can be caused by an infection with a groin fungus.
The clinical picture is then called tinea inguinalis. The fungal infection often extends from the groin to the buttocks. In most cases it is the skin fungus Trichophyton rubrum.
It is the same pathogen as the athlete’s foot. Often a tinea inguinalis develops on the ground of a mycosis pedis, namely by a carry-over of the fungal pathogens. The so-called erythrasma is very similar to the inguinal fungus, but it is caused by infection with a bacterium.
This is normally part of the natural skin flora. If an imbalance in the skin barrier occurs, the bacteria can penetrate the upper skin layers more easily and cause an infection. The so-called psoriasis inversa can also lead to an inflammation of the groin.
Psoriasis is generally known as psoriasis, but the inversa form occurs in rather unusual places in contrast to “normal” psoriasis, which tends to affect the extensor sides of the extremities. If folliculitis or carbuncles are the reason for the inflammation of the groin, bacteria are the most likely cause. If the body does not manage to destroy the bacteria quickly, an abscess may develop in the groin.
Inflammations in the groin area are often caused by a hernia in men. Although a hernia is also possible in women, it occurs about 8 times more frequently in men. The structures involved in the inguinal hernia (groin-forming structures or the contents of the hernia sac) can become inflamed and cause severe pain and also redness in the groin.
As in men, inflammation in the groin can generally be caused by all sorts of causes such as infections, pulled muscles or tendonitis in the groin. However, there are also specific causes of inflammation in the groin for women that originate from the female sexual organs. These include inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.
Painful swelling and pulling in the groin can also occur during ovulation or menstruation. These symptoms are mainly caused by hormones. Since women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections, such an infection can also cause swelling, inflammation or pain in the groin area more frequently than in men.
In addition, there is usually pain when urinating with little urine (oliguria). In some cases, there is blood in the urine. During pregnancy, pain in the groin may occur due to a loosening of the pubic symphysis.
Various inflammations of the testicles can cause swelling or inflammation in the groin. Caution should always be exercised here, as testicular diseases are usually emergencies that should be treated as soon as possible. In addition to general infections caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses or inflammation of muscles and tendons in the groin area due to, for example, overloading, specific causes of groin inflammation in men are also to be sought above all in diseases of the male reproductive organs.This can be inflammation of the testicles (orchitis), vas deferens (deferentitis), prostate (prostatitis) or epididymitis, which can be transmitted to the groin area.
In the case of groin inflammation in men, a doctor should always be consulted, as torsion of the testicles can also be the cause of the inflammation. Torsion of the testis (torsion of the testicle stem) results in a twisting of the testis, epididymis and spermatic cord. The vessels supplying the testicle can become constricted and the tissue can die.
This can cause inflammation and swelling in the testicle area, but also in the groin. As a possible consequence of tissue loss can be infertility, quick action must be taken. Hydatid torsion can also cause swelling and pain in the testicles – similar to testicular torsion – and in the groin.
Torsion of the testicle is the twisting of an appendage at the upper pole of the testis. Inflammation of the epididymis – caused e.g. by a urinary tract infection – can also cause swelling of the testicles and the groin. In rare cases an inflammation in the groin can also be caused by testicular cancer.
Often no pain in the testicular region is noticed. However, the testicles and groin may be swollen – usually only on one side. In addition, swollen lymph nodes in the groin can also become noticeable.
Due to the anatomical proximity of the groin and the pubic bone, an inflammation of the groin can be transmitted to the pubic bone. If both structures are affected by an inflammation at the same time, however, a previous inflammation of the pubic bone is often more likely to trigger an inflammation in the groin. The left and right pubic bone form the anterior pelvis.
They are connected by the pubic symphysis, which is made of fibrous cartilage. The pubic bone and symphysis are often affected by an inflammation, which then moves up into the groin, where it can also cause inflammation or at least pain. In most cases, the pubic bone becomes inflamed as a result of overloading during sporting activities, especially during sports such as soccer, tennis or running in general.
The treatment should include a relief of the pelvis and a break from sports. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac) can be taken for a short period of time. In women, pregnancy and childbirth can be the cause of inflammation of the pubic bone, which can spread to the groin.
In rare cases, operations in the pelvis (for example on the prostate) can lead to inflammation of the pubic bone and the groin. As already described above, an inflammation of the groin can be caused by an inflammation of the pubic bone, which was caused by overexertion during sports. However, groin inflammation can also be triggered directly by sporting activity.
Therefore, competitive athletes are often affected by pain and inflammation in the groin. Muscles, tendons and tissue in or near the groin can become inflamed and cause swelling, redness and pain in the region. On the other hand, untrained athletes may suffer from inflammation of the groin due to overexertion of the muscles if training is increased too quickly. Incorrect or jerky movements during exercise can cause strains of the muscles or the inguinal ligament to cause swelling and inflammation in the groin region. Therefore, as a preventive measure, care should be taken to ensure that movements are performed correctly and in a controlled manner and that the training is always adapted to the personal fitness level in order to avoid overloading the muscles and tendons.
All articles in this series:
