There are quite a few reasons you might get a lump in your groin—the area that extends from your genitals to your hips. The good news is, many of the causes are relatively benign. Because the area has so many muscles ligaments, nerves and blood vessels, even a harmless lump may make decreased mobility and pain more obvious.
Here are some of the reasons you may have a lump in your groin.
Swollen lymph nodes
Although cancers and Hodgkin’s lymphoma can cause swollen lymph nodes, these issues are much rarer than infections. Urinary tract infections, which can affect the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys, as well as sexually transmitted infections, can lead to swelling in one or more lymph nodes. In addition to your groin, an infection may cause swelling in the lymph nodes in your armpits or either side of the neck. Depending on the type of infection, an antibiotic may be able to clear up the problem.
Hernias
Hernias are formed when the intestines or tissue pushes through an opening in the muscle. Men are much more prone to inguinal hernias than women. You may even feel the lump when you touch it. Hernias are treated with a minor surgery and generally aren’t life-threatening.
Cysts
Cysts are (usually) harmless noncancerous growths that form under your skin. Like pimples, cysts should never be squeezed or popped. An infected cyst may be swollen and feel warm to the touch. A cyst near the groin is either sebaceous—which develop in the sweat gland or a clogged hair follicle—or epidermoid. Epidermoid cysts develop just under the skin and feel movable. These cysts are filled with keratin a protein found in your hair, skin and nails and are more likely to develop in men than women.
Enlarged blood vessels
If you’re over 70, you’re at a greater risk for femoral aneurysms—swelling caused by a weakness in the artery wall. If you’re under 70 and have an enlarged blood vessel in your groin, it’s more likely due to a varicose vein.
