Muscle strains are the most common cause of groin pain. Pain on the right side of the groin can also result from a urinary tract infection (UTI), a femoral hernia, a ruptured ovarian cyst, or pregnancy.

Your groin is the area of your hip between your stomach and thigh. It’s where your abdomen stops and your legs start.

For the most part, the underlying reasons for groin pain are the same regardless of your sex or anatomy. This includes many bone, joint, and muscle conditions, as well as groin injuries and inflammation.

Some conditions, including UTIs and femoral hernia, are more common in people who have certain attributes of female reproductive anatomy.

Ovarian cysts and pregnancy are the only conditions limited to people who have the associated organs.

Groin pain is typically caused by an injury in one of the structures in your leg that attach to the groin, such as a torn or strained muscle, ligament, or tendon.

A “groin strain” usually refers to torn or overstretched adductor muscles located on the inside of the thigh.

These types of groin injuries are usually the result of overuse or overexertion and are common among physically active people. A “sports hernia,” for example, is a common core muscle injury.

Strains typically resolve without medical intervention. Allow your body to rest and consider an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen to help alleviate pain.

Ice can help prevent swelling after an injury, while heat can help loosen stiff muscles.

People who have a vulva are more likely to develop a UTI because of the proximity of the urethra to the rectum. UTIs can result in moderate to severe groin pain that intensifies during urination.

Other symptoms include:

  • persistent need to urinate
  • urinating frequently in small amounts
  • urine with a strong odor
  • cloudy urine
  • brown, red, or pink urine
  • fever

If you suspect a UTI, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can prescribe oral antibiotics to clear the infection. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of complications.

People assigned female at birth typically develop a wider, more angled pelvis than people assigned male at birth. This makes the femoral canal more vulnerable to abdominal protrusions.

A femoral hernia occurs when part of the bowel or fatty tissue pokes through the abdominal wall into the groin area at the top of the inner thigh. This may cause a visible lump that is tender or painful.

Groin or abdominal pain may worsen when standing, lifting, or straining. Nausea and vomiting are also possible.

Surgical repair may be needed, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can monitor your symptoms and advise you on any next steps.

Ovarian cysts are usually asymptomatic. However, if the cyst ruptures or causes the ovary to twist, it can cause a sharp, severe pain that radiates from your groin to your sides between the lower ribs and pelvis.

Other symptoms include:

  • abdominal swelling
  • dizziness
  • fever
  • lower back or thigh pain
  • nausea
  • vomitting

Large or otherwise problematic cysts must be surgically removed. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency.

The uterus expands during pregnancy, causing the round ligament to stretch and thicken to support the additional weight. This can result in sharp, stabbing pain in the lower abdomen and groin.

Symphysis pubis dysfunction occurs when the ligaments and muscles in your pelvis loosen. This can cause pain and discomfort in your pelvis, including the joints near the groin.

In rare cases, the veins around the round ligament may become enlarged, causing a visible lump or swelling.

You may notice that any of the above symptoms worsen when:

  • coughing or sneezing
  • climbing stairs
  • moving to sit, stand, or lie down

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you develop any new or unusual symptoms during pregnancy. They can help determine the underlying cause and advise you on any next steps.

Hip arthritis

A typical symptom of hip arthritis is deep groin-area pain that sometimes radiates down to the inside of your leg to the area of your knee. This groin pain can become more intense when standing or walking for extended periods.

Pain relief medications, physical therapy, and certain lifestyle modifications can help manage or prevent pain.

Hip fracture

With a hip fracture, pain is typically present in the groin or over the outer upper thigh. If you have a hip bone that’s weakened, you might feel aching pain in the groin or thigh area some time before the fracture occurs.

Hip fractures are typically corrected with surgery.

Pinched nerve

When pressure is put on a nerve by the tissue around it, such as muscle, bone, or tendon, it can disturb its function.

This can cause aching, burning, tingling, or even numbness in the affected area. The sensation may radiate into the buttocks or down the inner thigh to the knee.

Pain relief medications, physical therapy, and certain lifestyle modifications can help alleviate pain.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis occurs when your appendix — located in the lower right abdomen — becomes inflamed.

Pain may come and go at first, but it often intensifies over the course of 24 hours. It may worsen when you move or cough, or become so severe that it wakes you from sleep.

Other symptoms include:

  • abdominal swelling
  • decreased appetite
  • fever
  • indigestion
  • nausea
  • vomiting

The appendix can rupture if left untreated, so it’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Surgery is necessary to remove the appendix and, if it’s ruptured, clean out the abdominal cavity.

Enlarged lymph nodes

Injection or injury in the surrounding area can cause the inguinal lymph nodes in the groin to swell and ache. You may be able to see or feel the nodules under the skin.

These symptoms often subside once the underlying infection or injury is treated. If you’re unusure of the cause or your symptoms persist, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are a hard buildup of minerals and salts in the urinary tract. They typically do not cause pain until they move into the ureter, which connects the bladder to the kidney.

Pain may radiate through the groin, abdomen, or flank. Other symptoms include:

  • brown, red, or pink urine
  • chills or fever
  • foul-smelling urine
  • frequent urination
  • nausea
  • vomiting

You may be able to pass a kidney stone without medical intervention. Staying hydrated can help speed up the process, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort.

Consult a healthcare professional if you see blood on the toilet paper after you wipe or notice blood in your urine. They can advise you on any next steps.

Osteitis pubis

Osteitis pubis occurs when the joint connecting the left and right pubic bones becomes inflamed. It causes pain in the groin and lower abdomen that can make it difficult to sit or stand upright.

However, osteitis pubis typically resolves without medical intervention. Allow your body to rest and consider an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen to help alleviate pain.

Inguinal hernia

An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestine or fatty tissue bulges through the abdominal wall into the groin area.

This causes burning or pressure in the affected area and a visible lump that may be painful or sensitive to touch. The lump may increase in size when you cough or stand.

Surgical repair may be needed, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can monitor your symptoms and advise you on any next steps.

Muscle strains caused by overexertion or overuse may improve with rest and home remedies for pain relief.

However, if your symptoms are severe or worsen over time, it may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical intervention. A healthcare professional can determine the cause and recommend a treatment plan.

Seek immediate medical attention if you’re pregnant or suspect a ruptured ovarian cyst or appendicitis.