Groin pain is often characterized by a stabbing and severe pain in the groin area with simultaneous restriction of movement. As a rule, groin pain is unilateral; more rarely it is bilateral. The best known cause of groin pain is the so-called inguinal hernia.
It occurs because the groin ligament and surrounding structures can no longer withstand the pressure and give way (intestinal loops emerge). Particularly high pressure occurs when coughing, sneezing, abrupt movements or even laughing. Muscle weakness in the groin region is conducive to injuries, since they have a holding or supporting function.
The consequences are bulges that are visible and palpable from the outside. Another cause of groin pain can be a pulled groin ligament or damage to vessels or nerves running in the groin area. Fractures in the groin region can also be the trigger for groin pain.
Diseases such as hip arthrosis or arthritis of the hip joint are among the many causes of groin pain. Furthermore, if there are signs of inflammation, one should always think of bursitis (inflammation of the bursa). Intensive diagnostics are therefore crucial to find the corresponding trigger and to create a treatment plan accordingly.
Groin pain during pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormonal processes loosen the connective tissue, ligament structures and muscle tissue in the pelvic floor area. These hormonal changes serve to prepare for the birth, as the newborn child must eventually have enough space to pass through the birth canal. The enlargement of the uterus (about 40 times) leads to a displacement (urinary bladder) and stretching (maternal ligament) of other structures.
Due to the loosening of the muscles and surrounding connective tissue, the normal holding and supporting function in the area of the pelvis is missing. This often results in back pain and groin pain, which occurs when walking, climbing stairs and other strains such as bending or lifting. In addition, during pregnancy, a hyperloro-dosage (hollow back formation) of the spine also occurs, since the protruding abdomen of the pregnant woman must be compensated by this posture in order to maintain balance.
The increased internal pressure in the lower abdomen during pregnancy also promotes the occurrence of groin pain. Pushing pains during childbirth are a further strain on the involved structures in the groin region. Groin pain, which occurs during sports such as jogging or playing soccer, is often caused by overloading of tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Strains of the adductors, for example, can cause a radiating pain that pulls into the groin area. Jogging in particular places an enormous strain on the holding apparatus in the pelvic region, since the constant vibrations must be absorbed by muscle activity of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. The pelvic floor muscles in particular are the weak point here because they can be underdeveloped, damaged by misbehaviour or, in women, weakened after frequent successive births or degenerative aging processes. For joggers, it is therefore advisable to integrate abdominal muscle exercises, pelvic floor training and stretching exercises into their training program. Breathing therapy can also be used, as the diaphragm in cooperation with other muscles maintains the stability of the pelvic floor (synergism).
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