What Does a Lump in Your Groin Area Mean? Common Causes and Concerns

September 30, 2025 •

5 min read

Approximately 75% of all abdominal wall hernias occur in the groin area, but this is just one of many potential reasons for a new lump. A lump in your groin area can be caused by various underlying conditions, ranging from relatively harmless issues like benign cysts to more serious concerns such as hernias or enlarged lymph nodes.

Quick Summary

A lump in the groin can signal an issue ranging from common hernias and infected lymph nodes to benign cysts or lipomas. Understanding the different potential causes and associated symptoms is key to recognizing when to seek a professional medical evaluation for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Key Points

Common Causes: The most frequent culprits for a groin lump are hernias and swollen lymph nodes, often due to infection or strain.
Red Flags: Seek immediate medical care for a groin lump that is very painful, sudden, accompanied by fever, or that cannot be pushed back in.
Diagnosis is Key: A physical exam by a healthcare provider is the best way to determine the cause of a groin lump, as benign conditions can mimic more serious ones.
Gender Differences: While men are more prone to inguinal hernias, women are more likely to experience femoral hernias.
Cancer is Rare: Though a concern, a cancerous cause for a groin lump, such as lymphoma, is relatively rare compared to other, more common conditions.
Treatment Varies: Treatments range from medication for infections to surgery for larger or complicated hernias, depending on the cause.
Benign Options: Non-cancerous growths like cysts and lipomas often require only monitoring unless they cause discomfort or grow significantly.

A lump in the groin area can be concerning, but it's important to know that many causes are not severe. The groin is an area of the body rich in lymph nodes, blood vessels, and muscles, and a lump can arise from various structures within it. A healthcare provider should always evaluate any new or unexplained lump, as proper diagnosis is critical.

Hernias

Inguinal and femoral hernias are among the most common causes of groin lumps. A hernia occurs when soft tissue, such as part of the intestine or fatty tissue, pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle wall. This creates a bulge that may or may not be painful.

Inguinal Hernias

Inguinal hernias are the most frequent type of hernia, occurring in the inguinal canal in the groin. They are significantly more common in men than in women. The bulge often appears on one side of the pubic bone and may be more noticeable when standing, coughing, or straining. It may also disappear when you lie down. Other symptoms can include an aching or burning sensation and a feeling of pressure or weakness in the groin.

Femoral Hernias

Less common than inguinal hernias, femoral hernias occur when tissue pushes into the upper thigh, just below the groin crease. They are more common in women due to the wider female pelvis. Femoral hernias carry a higher risk of complications, such as strangulation, which cuts off blood flow to the trapped tissue and is a medical emergency.

Swollen Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy)

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that are a critical part of the immune system. Swelling in the lymph nodes in the groin, also known as inguinal lymphadenopathy, is a common reaction to an infection or inflammation in the lower body, including the legs and genitals. The swelling is usually tender and can indicate that your body is fighting off an infection.

Some common causes for swollen lymph nodes in the groin include:

Skin infections: Cellulitis, jock itch, or a wound on the foot or leg can cause the nodes to swell.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): STIs such as herpes, chlamydia, and syphilis can lead to swollen lymph nodes.
Systemic infections: Certain viral illnesses or body-wide infections can cause lymph nodes to swell throughout the body.
Cancer: In rare cases, lymphoma or other cancers (such as penile, vulvar, or anal cancer) can cause lymph node swelling.

Benign Growths and Other Causes

Not all groin lumps are caused by hernias or infections. Several other benign conditions can lead to the formation of a lump.

Cysts and Lipomas

Epidermal Cysts: These are noncancerous, movable sacs filled with keratin, and they can appear as small, firm lumps just beneath the skin.
Sebaceous Cysts: Less common, these form from blocked oil glands and contain a yellowish, oily substance.
Lipomas: Harmless, soft, and rubbery fatty growths that are often painless and move easily when touched.

Vascular Conditions

Femoral Aneurysm: An abnormal swelling of the femoral artery in the groin can feel like a pulsating lump and is more common in older men.
Varicose Veins: Swollen or twisted veins, typically in the legs, can sometimes manifest as a lump near the groin.

Other Inflammatory Issues

Abscesses: A pus-filled lump resulting from a localized bacterial infection.
Injuries: Trauma to the area can cause a hematoma, which is a collection of blood under the skin.

Comparing Causes of Groin Lumps


Feature	Hernia (Inguinal/Femoral)	Swollen Lymph Node	Benign Cyst/Lipoma
Sensation	May be painless, but often feels like an ache, burning sensation, or pressure, especially with strain.	Typically tender and painful to the touch, especially with infection.	Usually painless; lipomas are soft and movable, while cysts can be firm.
Appearance	A bulge that may come and go, often more prominent when standing or straining.	Small, roundish, or bean-shaped lump under the skin. Skin over it may be red and warm.	Appears as a round lump under the skin. Can be movable.
Onset	Can appear suddenly after straining or develop gradually over time.	Often appears suddenly in response to an infection.	Grows slowly and gradually.
Associated Symptoms	Groin discomfort, pain with movement, or, in severe cases, nausea, vomiting, or fever if incarcerated.	Fever, chills, fatigue, skin irritation, or other signs of infection.	Few to no other symptoms, unless the cyst becomes infected.

When to see a doctor

While many groin lumps are not serious, some signs warrant immediate medical attention. You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following:

A painful lump accompanied by fever, chills, or nausea and vomiting.
A lump that becomes suddenly hard, tender, and cannot be pushed back in (for a suspected hernia).
A lump that persists for more than a few weeks or continues to grow.
A lump that feels hard, fixed, or irregular in shape.
A lump accompanied by unexplained weight loss or night sweats.
Any lump found on the testicle should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
A pulsating lump in the groin may indicate a vascular issue like a femoral aneurysm.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A medical professional can diagnose the cause of a groin lump with a physical examination, medical history, and sometimes imaging tests or a biopsy. Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause.

Infections: May be treated with antibiotics or other medication, allowing the lymph nodes to return to normal.
Hernias: Often require surgery to repair the weak spot in the muscle wall, especially if they are painful or enlarging.
Cysts or Lipomas: May be monitored, drained, or surgically removed if they become large, painful, or infected.

Conclusion

Finding a lump in your groin area can be unsettling, but it is important to avoid jumping to conclusions. The vast majority of groin lumps have benign and treatable causes, such as hernias, cysts, or swollen lymph nodes due to infection. However, because the symptoms of benign and more serious conditions can overlap, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Always seek professional advice for any new or persistent lump to ensure appropriate management and peace of mind. For more detailed information on inguinal hernias, the Mayo Clinic provides a comprehensive resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common causes include inguinal or femoral hernias, where tissue protrudes through a weak muscle wall, and swollen lymph nodes reacting to an infection in the lower body or genitals.

You should be concerned if the lump appears suddenly and becomes very painful, is accompanied by fever, or shows signs of infection like redness and warmth. Other warning signs include rapid growth, unusual hardness, or immobility of the lump.

While cancer is a possibility, it is a relatively rare cause. Persistent, hard, and fixed lymph node swelling, sometimes with night sweats or unexplained weight loss, could indicate cancer like lymphoma and requires medical evaluation.

A hernia often presents as a bulge that may be more prominent when standing, coughing, or straining and may recede when you lie down. It can be painless or cause a feeling of pressure or aching.

A hernia is caused by an organ or tissue bulging through a muscle wall, whereas a swollen lymph node is a reaction from your immune system to an infection. Swollen lymph nodes are typically painful and tender to the touch, while hernias might not be.

A doctor will perform a physical exam, take your medical history, and may order imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to determine if the lump is cancerous.

Treatment depends on the cause. Options include antibiotics for infections, surgery for hernias or large cysts, drainage for abscesses, and monitoring for benign growths like lipomas.