Can you feel inguinal ligament

Once you're older, it's more likely that groin pain is the result of a hernia — abdominal fat or part of the intestine poking through a hole in the abdominal wall. David Berger, a colorectal and gastrointestinal surgeon at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. To continue reading this article, you must log in. Already a member? Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss In men, the weak spot usually occurs in the inguinal canal, where the spermatic cord enters the scrotum. In women, the inguinal canal carries a ligament that helps hold the uterus in place, and hernias sometimes occur where connective tissue from the uterus attaches to tissue surrounding the pubic bone.

You can't prevent the congenital defect that makes you susceptible to an inguinal hernia. You can, however, reduce strain on your abdominal muscles and tissues.

For example:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Inguinal hernia Open pop-up dialog box Close. Inguinal hernia Inguinal hernias occur when part of the membrane lining the abdominal cavity omentum or intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdomen — often along the inguinal canal, which carries the spermatic cord in men.

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Show references Brooks DC, et al. Classification, clinical features and diagnosis of inguinal and femoral hernias in adults. Accessed Feb.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease. Medicines taken after organ transplant. Not having a spleen. Pain in adults and older children Severe pain 8 to 10 : The pain is so bad that you can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and can't do anything else except focus on the pain. Moderate pain 5 to 7 : The pain is bad enough to disrupt your normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days.

Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it's severe when it's there. Mild pain 1 to 4 : You notice the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities.

Urinary symptoms may include: Pain when you urinate. Trouble urinating. Not being able to urinate at all. Blood in your urine. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.

If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.

Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.

If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.

If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older.

Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger. Male Genital Problems and Injuries. Female Genital Problems and Injuries. Home Treatment Home treatment measures can help relieve pain, swelling, and bruising and promote healing after a groin injury.

Rest and protect an injured or sore groin area for 1 to 2 weeks. Stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing your pain or soreness. Do not do intense activities while you still have pain. A pulled muscle strain in the groin can take several weeks to heal. Cold will reduce pain and swelling. Apply an ice or cold pack immediately to reduce swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day.

A bag of frozen peas or corn may work as a cold pack. Protect your skin from frostbite by placing a cloth between the ice and your skin. After 48 to 72 hours, if the swelling is gone, apply warmth to the area that hurts. While you are recovering from a groin injury, wear underwear that supports the injured area. Females can use workout underwear or shorts with a snug fit.

For males, it's best to wear jockey shorts with a snug fit rather than boxer shorts. Medicine you can buy without a prescription Try an over-the-counter medicine to help treat your pain: Acetaminophen , such as Tylenol Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs : Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve Aspirin , such as Entrophen Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Safety tips Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use an over-the-counter medicine: Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, call your doctor before you take any medicine. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18 unless your doctor tells you to.

Home treatment measures may also be helpful for: Yeast infections that cause a fiery red rash with a scalloped border and sharply outlined edges in skin folds. Jock itch , which is a fungus ringworm infection of the skin that may cause a rash and blisters.

Minor cuts or skin wounds with mild bleeding. Minor rashes that are red and itchy. These may be caused by contact with a substance contact dermatitis such as poison ivy that causes an allergic reaction. Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment: Signs of infection develop, such as fever, swelling, redness, or pus.

Swelling that is known to be a hernia suddenly becomes very painful. A rash gets worse or has not improved. Groin pain has not improved. A limp or trouble walking develops or becomes worse. Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention The following tips may help you prevent a groin injury or other problems in the groin area. Prevent groin injury and strain Steps to prevent a groin injury or strain may include the following: Warm up by stretching the groin muscles before exercising. Stretching can increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness and pain.

Stretching is also important during the cool-down phase of exercise when your muscles are warm. Increase the intensity and length of exercise gradually. As your fitness level improves, you will be able to do more intense exercise without injury. Try to exercise regularly. Don't just go all out on weekends. Use proper sports techniques and equipment. For example: Wear supportive, well-cushioned shoes for running, aerobics, and walking.

Properly adjust your bicycle seat and handlebars for your height. Drink extra water before and during exercise, especially in hot or humid weather. This can help prevent muscle cramps and stiffness.

Make sure you can always see where you are walking. To avoid falls: Use a step stool when reaching for high objects. Do not stand on chairs or other objects. Don't climb stairs with both hands full. Get help carrying heavy or awkward objects.

Do not strain to lift or carry objects. Prevent sexually transmitted infections STIs You can take measures to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted infection STI. Prevent jock itch or yeast infection Try the following things to prevent jock itch fungal infection of the skin in the groin or yeast infection cutaneous candidiasis : Dry yourself well after bathing.

Use a hair dryer to dry your groin area. Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes. Avoid tight pants. Use a powder to absorb moisture. If you have athlete's foot, put on your socks before your underwear. This can prevent fungi from spreading from your feet to your groin when you put on your underwear.

Change out of a wet bathing suit soon after swimming so that your skin can dry out. Before your appointment If you have a rash, do not have sexual contact or activity until you are seen by your doctor. Questions to prepare for your doctor appointment What are your main symptoms? How long have you had your symptoms? Have you had this problem before? If so, do you know what caused the problem at that time? How was it treated? What activities make your symptoms better or worse?