What should you know about groin and penile pain?

Pain after sport, lifting, or a sudden movement may involve the groin muscles or the hip. Deep groin pain with catching or restricted hip movement can occur with hip impingement or a labral tear; stiffness can occur with hip osteoarthritis. Burning urination, discharge, sores, swelling, blood in urine, or pain after sexual contact points toward a urinary, infectious, or genital cause rather than a simple muscle strain.

Record when the pain started, whether it is at the skin or deeper, and whether erection, ejaculation, urination, walking, or hip movement changes it. Do not assume a genital symptom is caused by the hip without an examination.

Stop activities that reproduce the pain and use comfortable walking if it does not worsen symptoms. Avoid cycling, heavy lifting, vigorous stretching, and sexual activity until the cause is clearer. Do not apply unapproved creams or share antibiotics. Arrange a medical assessment for persistent pain, urinary symptoms, discharge, sores, or swelling. If the problem began with training, Sports Physiotherapy may help after medical causes have been considered.

Seek emergency care for sudden severe penile or groin pain, an erection lasting unusually long, inability to urinate, rapidly increasing swelling, major injury, fainting, fever with severe illness, or a painful swollen testicle. Prompt review is also needed for blood in urine, new sores, discharge, or pain after a possible sexually transmitted infection exposure.

Could my symptoms come from the hip or groin muscles, or do they suggest a urinary or genital condition? Do I need urine or infection testing? Which activities and sexual activity should I pause? What warning signs require emergency care?