Muscles in the groin area, also referred as adductor muscles, assist with movements of the legs and hip. When they are pulled or strained, the effect is very painful and consequences in a hernia. Athletes have a higher risk of straining groin muscles because of rapid and sudden movements during sporting activity. But, anyone can induce a groin injury. Groin injuries are regularly prevented with water and a few conventional stretching exercises.
Muscle cramps are involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more muscles. It can occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Furthermore, they can occur both during physical activity and while resting. Muscle cramps vary in intensity from a mild pulsation to an intensely painful contraction. Anyone can suffer from cramps, both youth and adults over 65 are more prone to experience cramping.
Conventional treatment for groin cramps
- Step one
Drink plenty of water. Fluids help muscles contract and relax during exertion; an inadequate quantity of water results in strain which leads to cramping. Drinking water is particularly salubrious before a workout or stretching session. Adults should consume six to eight glasses of water daily with to compensate heavy physical exertion and sweating.
- Step two
Sit on the floor; keep your back straight and your head upward. Bend the legs; make sure the knees are facing outward. Collocate the soles of the feet in front of the groin.
- Step three
Grasp the feet and hold them together with both hands. Pull in the feet closer to the groin until a substantial stretch is sensible in the groin area. Group the feet as close to the groin as possible without losing too much comfort. The pressure on the groin muscles should be felt; but they shouldn’t be agonizing. Hold the stretch firmly 20 seconds then relax. Repeat the stretch several times.
- Step four
Push the knees close to the floor as possible with your elbows or hands, if the soles of the feet can remain together without help. It exerts extra pressure on the groin muscles and needs to be done slowly. Hold this position 20 seconds and release. Repeat the stretch several times.
Groin pain in women
In women, groin pain is aggravated by certain medical conditions like inguinal hernia, kidney stones, and ovarian cysts. Sports activities and road accidents are also major causes of groin pain in women.
Pain because of various infections
Cellulitis – This is an inflammation of the body tissues usually occurs underneath the skin. Related symptoms are swelling, fever, and pain
Urinary tract infection (UTI) – It is a known fact that women are more prone to developing UTI, one of the effects of which is groin pain. In fact, UTI is known to be one of the most common causes for female groin pain
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – Individuals with genital herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia may experience some degree of groin pain
Infections in the groin and loin region – Certain bacterial infections compels swellings and lumps in the groin/loin area, inciting pain.
Also, formation of an abscess in the groin region because of some condition like a leg infection, is a common reason for such pain.
Pain due to any kind of injury
- Groin Injury
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Osteitis Pubis
- Referred Pain
Pain due to other causes
- Pregnancy
- Presence of Kidney Stones
- Ovarian cysts
- Enlargement of Lymph Node
- Hernia
Physical tests
A physician will initially search the injury area for swelling. The patient may have to perform brusque exhaling exercises to detect swelling or a cyst, when pressure is applied on the groin area. Determination of a groin lump helps the physician address the character of pain, and confirm it is commensurable to inguinal hernia, an abscess, or any other cause. The doctor will also examine the lymph nodes, the back, and the hips.
Radiological examination
- Pelvic and lumbar X-rays
- Doppler test — to determine the direction, turbulence, and velocity of blood flow
- CT scans of the pubic symphysis, and pyelograms (X-ray of kidney and ureters) to detect kidney stones
Other tests
- Full blood count
- The erythrocyte sedimentation rate test (ESR)
- Electrolytes and renal function tests
- Urine culture, urinalysis, and microscopic urine tests
- A swab culture to diagnose a syphilitic ulcer, genital herpes or chancroid (infectious venereal ulcer)
