Assessment
Symptoms and diagnosis
Groin hernias commonly present as a bulge and/or groin discomfort, often worse with lifting, coughing or standing. Many are diagnosed clinically; imaging is sometimes helpful.
Bulge / lump
Ache or dragging pain
Ultrasound
CT / MRI
Common symptoms
- Groin lump/bulge (may come and go)
- Discomfort with lifting, coughing or straining
- Dragging ache into the scrotum/testicle (some men)
- Worse later in the day or after prolonged standing
How diagnosis is made
Diagnosis is often made by history and examination, including assessment while standing and with coughing/straining.
Imaging may help when the lump is intermittent, in athletes with groin pain, after prior repairs, or when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Imaging
- Ultrasound: commonly used, especially for intermittent lumps
- CT: useful for complex anatomy or broader abdominal assessment
- MRI: sometimes used for athletic groin pain or difficult cases
If you have severe pain, vomiting, redness, fever, or an irreducible lump, seek urgent medical assessment.