Groin lump

A groin lump may be firm or soft, tender, or not painful at all. Your health care provider should examine any groin lumps.

The most common cause of a groin lump is swollen lymph nodes. These may be caused by:

• Cancer, most often lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system)
• Infection in the legs
• Body-wide infections, often caused by viruses
• Infections spread through sexual contact such as genital herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea

Other causes include any of the following:

• Allergic reaction
• Drug reaction
• Harmless (benign) cyst
• Hernia (a soft, large bulge in the groin on one or both sides)
• Injury to the groin area
• Lipomas (harmless fatty growths)

Follow the treatment your provider prescribed.

Small lymph nodes that can be felt in the groin are common, especially in men, and usually result from prior leg infection. Make an appointment to see your provider if you have an unexplained groin lump.

The provider will examine you and may feel the lymph nodes in your groin area. A genital or pelvic exam may be done.

You will be asked about your medical history and symptoms, such as when you first noticed the lump, whether it came on suddenly or slowly, or whether it gets larger when you cough or strain. You may also be asked about your sexual activities.

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood tests such as a CBC or blood differential
• Blood tests to check for syphilis, HIV, or other sexually transmitted infections
• Kidney function tests
• Liver function tests
• Liver spleen scan
• Lymph node biopsy

Lump in the groin; Inguinal lymphadenopathy; Localized lymphadenopathy - groin; Bubo; Lymphadenopathy - groin

McGee S. Peripheral lymphadenopathy. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 27.

Poulose BK, Carbonell AM, Rosen MJ. Hernias. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Elsevier; 2022:chap 45.

Winter JN. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 159.

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.