Drag in the bar
introduction
The bar (Inguen) is located anatomically at the bottom of the lateral abdominal wall - i.e. in the area between the lower abdomen, hips and thighs.
Pulling in the groin is usually described as uncomfortable and painful and does not represent a disease in itself, but manifests itself as a symptom of an underlying disease. Therefore, pulling in the bar can also have many causes.The pulling can be felt as mild to severe pain and can be accompanied by a feeling of pressure.
Men are more often affected than women by a pull in the groin. If the groin is pulled for a long time, it can be very stressful for the patient. Since pulling in the groin can also have serious causes of the disease, a doctor should be consulted.
What are the causes of pulling in the groin?
As already mentioned, groin pulling or pain can have many causes. These include, for example, inguinal hernias, muscle and tendon injuries, joint diseases such as hip arthrosis, nerve inflammation, diseases of the urinary and / or genital organs or lymph node swelling caused by infections.
A lack of exercise can also cause complaints in the groin region. If the muscles are not challenged enough, problems can arise in the interaction between different muscle groups. If this creates a hollow back because the pelvis tilts forward, back pain can also result in pulling or pain in the groin. Other causes are described below.
Causes in men
An inguinal hernia (Inguinal hernia) occurs mainly in adults, but can also affect babies and young children. Men are also more likely to suffer from hernias than women.
The bar represents the transition from the stomach to the thigh and is therefore subject to high pressures (e.g. when sneezing or coughing and when lifting objects) exposed. Therefore, if the load is too high, the abdominal wall can break through. As a result, parts of the abdominal wall or the intestine typically slip into the groin.
Typical symptoms are a visible, soft protuberance that can usually be easily pushed back, a pulling in the groin and possibly a feeling of pressure in this region. Symptoms usually worsen when you cough or sneeze. Should such a protuberance be noticed, one should consult a doctor.
If the hernial orifice becomes too large, loops of intestine can become trapped, leading to a medical emergency. Such an emergency results in severe pain in the groin and abdomen, fever, and nausea and vomiting. Sometimes an enlargement of the testicle can also be noticed. In general, an inguinal hernia must be operated on. With urinary bladder stones and ureter stones, a pulling or pain in the groin can be felt. With large stones there is severe pain that radiates into the back, lower abdomen or groin. In this situation a doctor should be consulted.
An epididymitis (Epididydimitis) can also trigger pulling in the groin region. Such inflammation is more common in older men and is mostly caused by urinary tract infections. However, epididymitis can also be triggered by sexually transmitted diseases. Typical symptoms are pain and swelling in the testicle (Scrotum). The pain can radiate into the groin.
Inflammation of the prostate (Prostatitis) can also cause groin pulling or pain. There is pain in the perineal area, which can radiate into the groin and lead to problems with urination. Urination problems include pain or a decreased amount of urine. E. coli bacteria are predominantly involved in the development of prostate inflammation; antibiotic treatment is then indicated.
Read more on the topic: Inguinal hernia
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Causes in women
Pulling in the groin is a very unspecific symptom and can be traced back to various causes. Most people think of an inguinal hernia or a broken thigh when pulling the groin. Often, however, more harmless causes of the symptoms can be found.
Particularly in women who are active in sport, an overstretching of muscles or an injury to the tendons in the groin can be the cause of the pulling. Sore muscles can also explain the symptoms. Especially in women, hip disorders often manifest themselves in the form of groin complaints. In pregnant women, you should be careful when you pull the groin. The cause can be a loosening of the pelvic ring during pregnancy.
Diseases of the female genital organs, especially the ovaries and the uterus, can cause pulling in the groin. Kidney disease and problems in the lower urinary tract (e.g. Urinary stones) can also be noticeable in the bar. A pulling in the groin region can also indicate local inflammation of the skin or deeper inflammation of nerves, blood and lymph vessels. Swelling of lymph nodes (most often with infections, very rarely with tumors) can trigger a drag in the bar.
PMS
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is an accumulation of ailments that occur as part of the menstrual cycle. By definition, the symptoms end with the onset of menstruation, they can start between 4 days and 2 weeks before the start of the menstrual period.
Typical symptoms of PMS are cramping pelvic pain and back pain. Both types of complaints can radiate into the groin. In addition, tiredness, headache, edema (Water retention), Diarrhea, breast tenderness and psychological symptoms such as mood swings, hyperactivity, anxiety, etc. occur.
Would you like to continue to deal with this topic? Read more about this under: Menstrual disorders
Pain in the groin through the testicles
Pain in the groin and lower abdomen can occur when the testicle is twisted (Testicular torsion) come.
The pain is sudden and can be accompanied by undescended testicles. Since twisting can lead to reduced blood flow and death of the testicle, an operation with exposure and untwisting of the testicle should be performed within six hours. The acute pain symptoms are accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
A broken testicle (Scrotal hernia) trigger a drag in the bar. A scrotal hernia, like the inguinal hernia, is caused by a rupture in the groin area and is often associated with the hernia. Here the so-called hernial sac extends into the scrotum. This leads to an enlargement of the testicle. Smaller scrotal hernias can also occur without visible enlargement of the testicle and symptoms such as a pulling in the groin, pain or nausea only occur when the abdominal muscles are stressed or tensed.
Read more on the topic: Testicular hernia
Varicose veins in the testicle area (Varicocele testis) when moving (normal walking) a pulling in the groin and in the testicle when triggered. These are often an incidental finding by the doctor, as they rarely trigger symptoms. Varicose veins on the testicles are caused by a drainage disorder in the venous plexus that is around the testicle. This causes the veins to widen and the testicle to expand painlessly. In addition, the increase in size of the testicle can lead to abnormal sensations.
Rarely, testicular cancer can also cause groin pulling. Often palpable and partially visible changes in the testicles can be felt or seen, which do not have to be painful. If these symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted. As a precautionary measure, men can feel and examine the testicles themselves in order to detect testicular cancer at an early stage.
Read more on the topic: Pulling in the testicle - what can it be?
Drawing in the groin in pregnant women
A pulling in the groin during pregnancy is usually normal. On the one hand, there is a higher level of estrogen at the beginning of pregnancy. The estrogen ensures that the ligaments (so-called mother bands) become loose so that they are elastic enough to be able to "wander" with the growing uterus. This may be felt as a pulling or a slight stinging.
Even as the abdomen grows and the ligaments stretch, there may be pulling in the groin. A pulling in the groin during pregnancy can also be caused by a strain in the groin area. Back and pelvic pain during pregnancy can also cause the groin to pull.
There is also an increased risk of an inguinal hernia during pregnancy. This can also be explained by the loosening of the ligament and muscle structures in this area. The pressure on the lower abdominal wall increases during pregnancy and thus promotes an inguinal hernia. In addition to the typical protuberance, there is also pulling in the groin.
- Drawing in the groin from labor
Labor is the contraction of the muscles of the uterus. Irregular contractions begin as early as the 20th week of pregnancy. These are not yet very painful and may be accompanied by a slight pulling in the groin.
If these contractions are accompanied by back pain and bloody vaginal discharge, the pregnant woman should call a doctor, as this can also be premature labor, which can lead to a miscarriage or premature birth.
The groin may also be pulled during the lowering labor pains, which start about 4 weeks before the birth and bring the child into the correct position. The stomach becomes hard and descends quite a bit. The contractions are also accompanied by pulling in the abdomen and back, uncoordinated and of moderate intensity.
Read more on the topic: Contractions
Pulling in the groin due to ovulation
Ovulation (ovulation) is the release of the unfertilized egg from the ovary (Ovary) into the fallopian tubes and takes place in the middle of the menstrual cycle. During this time, so-called middle or intermenstrual pain can occur. This usually manifests itself shortly before or during ovulation and is probably caused by the enlarged follicle (Egg cell) triggered. This pain manifests itself as a slight pulling in the groin or in the lower abdomen and usually only occurs on one side - on the side of the active ovary.
If the cracked egg has been successfully fertilized, pregnancy occurs. Some women report a pulling in the groin area around 6 days after ovulation, which can be interpreted as a symptom of the egg cell implanting in the uterus. A pulling in the groin after ovulation does not have to be a sign of pregnancy, but can also be caused by a strain during exercise, for example. In addition, cramps and pulling in the groin, back and lower abdomen can also occur as a result of menstrual disorders.
Read more on the topic: Ovulation pain
Pulling in the groin after exercise
Groin pulling or groin pain after exercise can be caused by excessive strain, strain or a tear in the muscles on the inside of the thigh (Adductors) arise. If the pulling in the groin is caused by a pulled muscle, unfavorable or incorrect movements (e.g. Dislocation when shooting in soccer) responsible. This is also often referred to as the "athlete bar". Here, patients usually describe drawing or burning pain in the groin.
Longer periods of overload are more likely to cause discomfort in the adductor tendon. These start in the groin area, so the pulling can also be felt in the groin region. Hyperextension in the hip can also lead to discomfort in the groin.
Groin pulling and pain are common in patients who exercise a lot and in professional athletes. The cause can be pre-arthrosis (Joint change) be in the hip, which should definitely be clarified by a doctor in order to avoid serious consequences.
Read more on the topic: Torn muscle fiber in the thigh
- Drawing in the groin when coughing
A pulling in the groin, which increases when coughing or which only occurs when coughing, is typical of a hernia. An inguinal hernia is a weak point in the abdominal wall and in the inguinal canal. Especially with pressure increases in the abdomen (e.g. from coughing, sneezing or straining when defecating) the hernia becomes noticeable.
Often loops of intestine emerge from the abdomen through the hernia. Usually these are soft and can be pushed back with a finger. One complication of the disease, however, is the entrapment of the loops of the bowel that has emerged.
Would you like more information on this topic? Then read our next article below: Symptoms of an inguinal hernia
Drag in the bar on the right or left
Often the pulling in the groin occurs only on one side. Since pulling in the groin can result from overstressing or straining the thigh muscles, one-sided stress on this side can cause discomfort. But there are also clinical pictures in which the pulling or pain typically occurs on the right or left side, which can provide information about the cause.
Right-sided pain can be appendicitis. Appendicitis - popularly appendicitis - is inflammation of the appendix (Appendix vermiformis). At the beginning of appendicitis, there is pressing, pulling, dull pain in the area of the navel, which usually migrates to the right lower abdomen and then causes discomfort in the groin.
Part of this pain can also move to the left side. This depends on where the appendix is in the abdomen. Often the symptoms are accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting and trigger a general feeling of illness. If appendicitis is suspected, a doctor should be seen, as appendicitis often requires prompt surgery.
With diverticulitis, on the other hand, there are usually symptoms on the left side. Diverticulitis is inflammation of the protrusions of the lining of the intestine. The symptoms usually begin with a pulling or dull pain in the left lower part of the body, which can radiate into the back and groin. A lack of exercise and a low-fiber diet are discussed as reasons for diverticulitis. In addition to pulling, constipation, gas and fever can occur.
Read more on the topic: Signs of appendicitis
Pulling up in the back
A pull that spreads from the groin towards the back is often muscular. Overloading the muscles in the groin leads to minor injuries and pain. Since the various muscles work together functionally, complaints from the groin can easily be felt in the back.
Another possible cause could be nerve damage or entrapment. The nerves run from the leg through the groin to the spinal cord. In this way, complaints from the groin can easily spread to the back. Nerve disorders in the back can also cause the groin to pull.
Are you interested in this topic? Read more about this under: Pulling in the back
Pulling up to the leg
If the pain extends from the groin to the leg, nerve diseases are often to blame for the symptoms.The entrapment of the sciatic nerve, for example, causes discomfort, especially in the buttocks. Not infrequently, however, pain and a stabbing or pulling radiate into the groin and leg. The pain can extend to the hollow of the knee and occasionally to the tip of the foot.
Hip problems also often cause pulling in the groin, at the same time the hip disorder affects the entire leg, which is why there can also be muscular pulling pain there.
If you are further interested in this topic, read our next article on this: Pulling in the leg
How is it diagnosed?
A doctor can find out what the underlying disease is by first taking a detailed medical history. The nature of the pain should be addressed here. This can vary depending on the cause. Groin pain can develop either acutely or chronically, or it can become more pronounced in certain situations (when coughing, sneezing, running). The complaints also differ in localization. Pulling accompanied by a stabbing, sharp pain that often radiates into the thigh can indicate that there is a problem in the hip joint.
Please also read: Pain in the thigh and groin
If the pain is more on the inside of the groin, this can indicate a hernia. Furthermore, the development of the pulling in the groin is also decisive. A chronic hernia leads to symptoms for weeks or months. Muscle fiber tears, which can occur during exercise, among other things, lead to discomfort within minutes to hours. A physical exam should also be done, including examining the testicles of men. If a clinical diagnosis cannot be made, imaging tests can help identify the cause. Ultrasound, X-rays, computed tomography or MRI can be used here.
Read more on the topic: Diagnostics for pain in the groin
How is groin pulling treated?
The cause of the pulling in the groin is treated. If the cause of the discomfort is a muscle strain or a ruptured muscle fiber, as can often occur during sports, movement must be stopped and the groin cooled. You should also refrain from exercising until the groin pulling has improved.
If signs of wear and tear of the bones are the cause of the discomfort, these are treated with medication, massages or orthopedic insoles. In addition, joint-friendly sports such as swimming should be practiced.
If there is already hip arthrosis, which is no longer conservative (without surgery), surgery must be performed to replace the hip joint.
If the symptoms are caused by a bacterial urinary tract infection, an antibiotic is prescribed. With urinary tract stones, the patient has to drink a lot. Smaller stones are washed out. If this is accompanied by pain, pain reliever medication (NSAID) can be taken. Sometimes the stones have to be removed by surgery.
In some cases, such as appendicitis or testicular torsion, an emergency doctor needs to be called as these are medical emergencies. An inguinal hernia often has to be operated on, as the hernial sac only recedes on its own in rare cases.
