Groin pain is pain in the area where the inner, upper thigh and lower abdomen meet.

The most common cause of groin pain is muscle, tendon or ligament strain, particularly in athletes who play sports such as hockey, soccer and football. Groin pain may occur immediately after an injury, or pain may come on gradually over a period of weeks or even months. Groin pain may be worsened by continued use of the injured area.

Less commonly, a bone injury or fracture, a hernia, or even kidney stones may cause groin pain. Although testicle pain and groin pain are different, a testicle condition can sometimes cause pain that spreads to the groin area.

Direct and indirect causes of groin pain can include:

1. Avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to limited blood flow)
2. Avulsion fracture: How is it treated? (ligament or tendon pulled from the bone)
3. Bursitis (joint inflammation)
4. Epididymitis (testicle inflammation)
5. Hydrocele (swelling of the scrotum)
6. Inguinal hernia
7. Kidney stones
8. Mumps
9. Muscle strain
10. Orchitis (inflamed testicle)
11. Osteoarthritis
12. Pinched nerve
13. Piriformis syndrome
14. Retractile testicle (testicle that moves between the scrotum and abdomen)
15. Sciatica
16. Scrotal masses
17. Spermatocele (fluid buildup in the testicle)
18. Sprains and strains
19. Stress fractures
20. Swollen lymph nodes
21. Tendinitis
22. Testicular cancer
23. Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
24. Urinary tract infection
25. Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Source: mayoclinic.org

• Groin pain associated with back, abdomen or chest pain
• Sudden, severe testicle pain
• Testicle pain accompanied by nausea, fever, chills or blood in the urine

• Severe groin pain
• Groin pain that doesn't improve with home treatment within a few days
• Mild testicle pain lasting longer than a few days
• A lump or swelling in or around a testicle
• Intermittent intense pain along the lower side of your abdomen (flank) that may radiate along your groin and into your testicle
• Blood in your urine

If your groin pain is caused by a strain or sprain, these self-care measures may help:

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
• Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the sore area for 20 to 30 minutes two to four times a day.

Source: mayoclinic.org