Inner Thigh and Groin Pain During Pregnancy: What to Know

Inner thigh and groin pain during pregnancy often reflects changing pelvic load, muscle strain or irritation around the hips, but severe, sudden or worsening pain needs medical assessment. Pregnancy can alter posture, walking pattern and the way the pelvis and hip muscles share effort. Pain may be felt in the crease of the hip, along the inner thigh, or near the pubic area.

A stretched or overworked adductor muscle can cause tenderness on the inner thigh, especially after a longer walk, a sudden step or turning in bed. Pelvic girdle pain may make stairs, standing on one leg, getting out of a car or putting on clothes uncomfortable. Hip irritation can cause pain in the groin that changes with hip movement. The symptom itself does not identify one diagnosis; a clinician considers its location, onset, triggers and associated symptoms.

Pregnancy-related discomfort can coexist with another hip problem. Persistent groin pain, catching, a feeling that the hip is giving way, or pain that limits ordinary movement deserves an examination. More background is available in [Groin Pain](/symptoms/groin-pain/), [Hip Impingement](/conditions/hip-impingement/) and [Hip Labral Tear](/conditions/hip-labral-tear/).

Reduce movements that clearly provoke the pain without stopping all activity. Take shorter walks, change position regularly and use both legs together when getting out of bed or a car. Keep steps small when turning, and avoid standing on one leg for tasks such as dressing. A pillow between the knees may make side-lying more comfortable.

A pregnancy-informed physiotherapist can assess pelvic and hip movement, then tailor gentle strengthening, mobility and load-management advice. Do not start forceful stretches, deep squats or new exercises if they increase symptoms. Ask your maternity clinician before using medicines, heat or supports, particularly if you have other pregnancy or medical concerns. [Sports Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/sports-physiotherapy/) explains how physiotherapy can guide movement rehabilitation, although your plan should be adapted for pregnancy.

Contact your maternity team or a healthcare professional promptly if the pain is severe, begins suddenly, follows a fall, prevents walking, or keeps worsening. Seek urgent help for groin or pelvic pain with vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, regular tightening, fever, faintness, marked abdominal pain, or reduced fetal movement after you have been advised how to monitor it. One-sided leg swelling, warmth, redness or unusual breathlessness also needs urgent medical attention.

Arrange a routine assessment if the discomfort continues despite reducing aggravating activities, disturbs sleep, or makes work and daily care difficult. Examination can help separate muscle, pelvic girdle, hip and non-musculoskeletal causes and identify a safe plan for your stage of pregnancy.

Ask: Which movements suggest pelvic girdle pain, an adductor strain or a hip problem? Is the pain pattern suitable for pregnancy physiotherapy? Which exercises, sleeping positions or support options are appropriate for me? What symptoms should prompt same-day contact with my maternity team? If hip symptoms persist after pregnancy, could another condition such as [Hip Osteoarthritis](/conditions/hip-osteoarthritis/) need consideration?