10 Causes of Female Groin Pain
In the realm of women's health, the experience of groin pain can be both perplexing and discomforting. Regular everyday activities or more concerning issues may cause groin pain, which could indicate more significant underlying medical problems.
There are many reasons you might experience groin pain, ranging from everyday activity to your sleeping position to more severe causes of groin pain, including appendicitis, ovarian cysts, cancer, kidney stones, or a urinary tract infection.
Talk to your gynecologist to rule out any major gynecological concerns such as cysts, fibroids, or even cancer, and discuss any irregular menstrual symptoms or gynecological symptoms you may have.
Once gynecological concerns have been ruled out, here are ten reasons you may be experiencing groin pain.
What Can Cause Groin Pain In Women?
Pelvic Venous Insufficiency
Groin pain or groin pressure can be a sign of a vascular condition called venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is caused when there’s damage to the valves in the vein or the vein walls, causing swelling and congestion in the area of the damaged vein. Pelvic Venous Insufficiency (PVI), also called pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), occurs when the pelvic veins are weakened or have become damaged, preventing proper blood flow from the area. This can cause pelvic pain and pressure, swelling, and discomfort.
If you have or are experiencing severe period cramps or irregular periods or have a history of painful menstrual cycles, that may be an early indicator that you’re at risk for pelvic vascular insufficiency. Talk to your doctor to rule out PVI and other possible causes. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent long-term complications caused by pelvic venous insufficiency.
Risk factors for pelvic venous insufficiency include but aren’t limited to:
Multiple pregnancies:
multiple pregnancies increase the chances of developing pelvic venous insufficiency due to the prolonged pressure on the tissues and surrounding pelvic organs and veins.
Genetics:
If you have a family history of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, or vascular conditions, you may have an increased risk of pelvic venous insufficiency.
Obesity:
Obesity increases the chances of developing vascular conditions, including pelvic venous insufficiency, due to the pressure and demand of carrying extra weight.
Symptoms of pelvic venous insufficiency include but aren’t limited to:
- Persistent groin pain or pressure lasting over six months
- Increased discomfort during menstrual cycles
- Pelvic pain experienced during and after sexual intercourse
- Sensation of fullness in the pelvic, vaginal, labial, and perineal areas
- Swelling observed in the vagina, labia, and perineal region
- Potential presence of varicose veins in the upper thigh, vagina, labia, suprapubic, and perineal areas
- Frequent urination
- Stress incontinence
{Image caption: Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen ones typically occurring in the legs. In some cases, varicose veins can also develop in the pelvic region. This image shows visible varicose veins in the pelvic area and leg. While not all patients with pelvic venous insufficiency experience visible varicose veins, this image demonstrates one possible presentation of the condition.}
Injury or Strain:
A common cause of groin pain is a recent injury or muscle strain. Groin pain typically stems from a muscle tear or excessive stretching in the leg. The adductor muscles, which control thigh rotation and flexion, are particularly susceptible to overuse injuries.
Muscle strain is the leading cause of groin pain, especially among active individuals or those who recently embarked on a new or intensified exercise regimen. Let your doctor know if you’ve experienced any recent falls or injuries or taken on any new activities that could be causing your pain.
Arthritis:
Hip arthritis is a common cause of groin pain, particularly in older individuals. It can also affect middle-aged adults, with a higher prevalence among women. Hip arthritis pain is often exacerbated in the mornings or following periods of sitting or lying down. Other symptoms of arthritis in the hip include hip joint stiffness, popping or snapping sounds during joint movement, and overall hip inflexibility.
Sports Hernia:
A sports hernia occurs when the abdominal muscles are weakened, resulting in a hernia. Sports hernias are commonly caused by explosive movements that include sudden bursts of movement in the muscles. A sports hernia feels similar to a groin strain and is usually more painful during physical activity than at rest.
The pain associated with a sports hernia is often described as a sharp ache or burning sensation in the lower abdomen or groin. It typically worsens during physical activity, wildly twisting or pivoting movements. In some cases, the pain may also radiate down the inner thigh.
Hip Fracture:
As women enter middle age and beyond, their risk of bone fracture intensifies, especially for those who have undergone menopause and may have developed or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. The hip joint is particularly vulnerable to fractures, typically following a fall or a sudden, forceful twist.
The onset of hip fracture pain is abrupt and severe, often rendering the affected leg immobile. An X-ray is essential for diagnosis, and prompt stabilization, frequently necessitating surgery, is crucial for recovery.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection can cause groin and pelvic pain. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by bacteria entering the urethra and multiplying throughout the urinary tract. It is a common cause of discomfort and pain in the groin and lower abdomen, especially among women. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney infections as the bacteria travel up the urinary tract.
Common symptoms of a UTI include a frequent urge to urinate, passing small amounts of urine, a burning sensation during urination, and sometimes fever or blood in the urine.
Kidney Stones:
A kidney stone is a painful condition caused by hard collections of salts and minerals that form in the kidneys. These stones can result from various factors, including inadequate water intake, weight loss surgery, excessive sugar or salt consumption, and extreme exercise (or a sedentary lifestyle).
Kidney stones remain asymptomatic until they start moving through the urinary tract. In most cases, the body expels kidney stones naturally, albeit the process can be painful but not life-threatening.
Ovarian Cyst:
An ovarian cyst, a common phenomenon among women, is a fluid-filled sac that develops on the ovary, often during ovulation. Most ovarian cysts remain asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously within one to three months. However, some cysts may cause symptoms such as groin pain, bloating, constipation, irregular menstruation, nausea, and vomiting.
Appendicitis:
Appendicitis is when the appendix, a small organ in the abdomen, becomes inflamed and infected.
Symptoms of appendicitis include sudden pain on the right side of the body that gets worse over a few days. Seek immediate medical treatment if you think you have appendicitis, as untreated appendicitis can cause severe, life-threatening health complications.
Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is caused when tissue similar to the uterus's inner lining starts developing and growing outside the uterine walls. This tissue behaves similarly to the normal uterine lining, building up and breaking down during the menstrual cycle. As the body can’t expel this tissue, it causes scarring, inflammation, and pain.
Pregnancy:
Pregnancy is a common cause of groin pain. The expansion of the uterus during pregnancy leads to the stretching of these ligaments, causing symptoms such as pain radiating from the groin to the hips or upper legs.
Therapies and Solutions to Groin Pain:
Groin pain in women can stem from various potential causes. If you've been experiencing persistent groin pain for six months or more and have undergone a gynecological assessment ruling out conditions like UTI, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or other gynecological issues, it may be prudent to consult with a vascular specialist as the root cause could be vascular.
In cases of sudden and intense groin pain, especially following a fall, or if the pain is localized to the right side of your body, seek prompt medical attention. These symptoms could indicate conditions such as a hip fracture or appendicitis.
Once gynecological and musculoskeletal conditions have been ruled out, and the extreme groin pain persists beyond six months, ask about a vascular evaluation. While the Center for Vascular Medicine highly advises a gynecological prior assessment, it is not mandatory for patients seeking vascular care.
When to See a Doctor About Your Groin Pain
There are many potential causes of groin pain in women. Seek medical treatment if your groin pain has persisted for six months or more. We recommend a gynecological evaluation to rule out fibroids, a UTI, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or other gynecological causes. If a recent injury or gynecological issues aren’t the cause of your groin pain, consider seeing a vascular doctor, as the problem may be vascular in origin.
If you are experiencing sudden and very intense groin pain, either as the result of a fall or are only experiencing pain on the right side of your body, seek medical attention right away. These are symptoms that may suggest either a hip fracture or appendicitis.
Center for Vascular Medicine recommends a gynecological evaluation before looking at vascular issues, but it is not required.
Treatment for Groin Pain in Women in Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia
Discover specialized care for deep venous and arterial diseases in the pelvis and lower extremities at Center for Vascular Medicine. Experience compassionate patient care where you're treated like family, allowing you to focus on yours.
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