Pain on the left side of the groin typically results from straining, pulling, or tearing a muscle or ligament. This is especially common if you’re athletic or do a lot of daily physical labor.

The groin area is where your abdomen transitions into your lower body and legs. It’s located near the hips, above your upper thighs, and below your stomach.

Many of the underlying reasons for groin pain — particularly on the left side — are the same regardless of your sex or anatomy. Ovarian cysts and pregnancy are the only causes exclusive to those who have the associated organs.

The most common cause of left-sided groin pain is overexertion or overuse of the adductor muscles on the inner thigh or nearby ligaments and tendons. These injuries may be exacerbated by unavoidable daily activities.

Numerous muscles, ligaments, and tissues in the groin area are used to make everyday movements. Walking, for example, involves lifting one leg to take a step and lowering that leg to make contact with the ground again.

Even more muscles are required when you:

  • turn your torso
  • bend down
  • squat
  • crawl

While less common, there are several other possible causes for one-sided groin pain.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Most UTIs affect only the lower urinary tract. This consists of the urethra and bladder. Left-sided groin pain can result from inflammation of tissue in one of these areas.

Ruptured ovarian cyst

Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that can form on one or both ovaries. A ruptured cyst on the left ovary can cause pain that radiates outward from the left side of your groin area toward the hips and lower abdomen.

Pregnancy-related groin pain

The ligaments that help keep your uterus safe and stable are more susceptible to sprain or injury during periods of rapid growth. As such, groin pain is more common during the second and third trimesters.

Stretching of the round ligament, for example, can cause dull pain in one or both sides of the groin. A strain or tear of this ligament can result in an intense, sometimes stabbing pain on either side of your groin.

Enlarged lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are glands that circulate a clear fluid called lymph throughout your body. Lymph stores white blood cells that support your immune system by fighting off infectious bacteria or foreign material.

There are numerous lymph nodes — called inguinal nodes — on both sides of the groin. Like all lymph nodes, they can become enlarged due to infections or inflammation.

Often, lymph nodes swell on only one side of the body. Swollen lymph nodes can result in groin pain and discomfort.

Kidney stones

Kidney stones typically do not cause pain until they move within the kidney or into the ureter, which connects the bladder to the kidney. Pain may radiate through the groin, abdomen, or flank.

Hernia

A hernia occurs when tissues in the abdomen, such as the small intestines, slip through openings or weak areas in the muscles into the side of the groin. This causes discomfort and can also result in a visible bulge under the skin.

You may be able to treat groin pain at home if it’s caused by a mild sprain or strain of muscle or ligament tissue.

  • Rest your groin muscle by taking a break from activity.
  • Ice the area to reduce pain and inflammation. Do this for about 20 minutes at a time, several times per day.
  • Compress the area with a medical bandage to limit blood flow.
  • Elevate your groin area to keep blood from flowing into the area.

Over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), like ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve), may also provide relief.

Treatment for severe or long-term pain must address the root cause and may require a doctor’s diagnosis. They may be able to prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory drugs if home treatment doesn’t reduce your pain or swelling.

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat underlying infections.

Physical therapy can help you learn how to work with muscles, ligaments, or joint tissues that may be chronically inflamed or permanently affected by an injury or an underlying condition.

Surgery may be needed to repair a broken bone, remove an obstruction, or to address a hernia.

Consult a healthcare professional if your pain persists despite at-home treatment or worsens over time.

You should seek emergency medical care if, along with groin pain, you experience:

  • bleeding unrelated to menstruation
  • blood in your urine
  • fever
  • pain spreading to your chest, abdomen, or lower back
  • nausea or vomiting

Your healthcare professional may use one or more of the following tests to help diagnose the cause:

  • physical examination, including feeling around the area
  • urinalysis to screen for pregnancy, UTIs, and other conditions
  • X-rays to evalute bony structures in the groin
  • ultrasound to evaluate pelvic organs

Mild injuries and minor infections may be treated at home. However, sudden, intense, or chronic pain may indicate an underlying cause that needs immediate medical treatment.

Make an appointment with a healthcare professional to diagnose and develop a treatment plan.