OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Sudden Swelling and Bruising in the Groin Area

6/23/2025, 6:50:20 PMMale25-34

Last night, I experienced a sharp discomfort in my left groin, as if something were out of place. Initially, the sensation improved and I returned to sleep without much thought. However, upon waking, I noticed that my groin was sensitive to touch, swollen, and marked by distinct redness and bruising. This issue persisted into today. Just to clarify, the raised area is simply my birthmark, and there hasn't been any recent injury or sexual activity. Is this something I should be concerned about? Any advice would be appreciated! For context: I am 48 years old, 5'7" tall, weigh 155 pounds, take Contrave, and use cannabis occasionally.

AgingSupplementsFamily Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

6/23/2025, 6:50:40 PM

OpenHealth AI

The sudden swelling, bruising, and sensitivity in your groin area are concerning, especially given your acute symptoms like sharp discomfort. Here’s how to understand your situation and what you can do next.

Main Points:

  • Sudden swelling and bruising can indicate an underlying issue that may require attention.
  • Potential causes range from minor injuries or muscle strains to more serious conditions like hernias or varicocele.

Explanation:

Your symptoms of sharp discomfort followed by swelling and bruising could result from several things. Common non-serious causes include muscle strain or a minor injury you may not have noticed, particularly if you’ve engaged in physical activity recently. However, these symptoms could also suggest more serious conditions:

  1. Hernia: A bulge where tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.
  2. Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum that can lead to discomfort and unusual sensations.
  3. Infection or Inflammation: Such as epididymitis, which can cause swelling and pain.

Given your age and the aforementioned symptoms, it’s prudent to monitor your situation closely.

Next Steps:

  1. Limit Activity: Avoid strenuous activities to prevent further aggravation of the area.
  2. Cold Compress: Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth to the swollen area for 15-20 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
  3. Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain medication, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help manage pain. Ensure you follow the recommended dosage.
  4. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in swelling, pain, or new symptoms, such as fever, worsening pain, or changes in urination.
  5. Seek Medical Attention: If symptoms worsen or do not improve in the next 24-48 hours, seek medical attention, especially if you experience severe pain, fever, or difficulty moving.

Take care of yourself, and remember to listen to your body. If you feel uncertain or alarmed at any point, reaching out for professional guidance is always a wise course of action.

Related Questions

Removed a Mole at Home

I’m a 21-year-old female, and I’ve had a mole on my chest since childhood. It has been confirmed as benign, yet I’ve always felt uncomfortable about it because it was raised. This morning, I decided to take matters into my own hands and used an eyebrow razor to remove it. I realize that this wasn’t the safest approach, and it did result in quite a bit of bleeding. I managed to apply two band-aids to control it, but after taking one off for a replacement, I noticed that it’s still bleeding, albeit lightly. What should I do next?

AgingFamily MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
48 minutes ago

Experiencing Sudden Jaw Discomfort and Facial Pain

As a 21-year-old male, I've developed a habit of cracking my jaw in a circular manner—something I've routinely done for years without any issues. Recently, however, I've found myself in significant discomfort. The area around my right ear and the side of my mouth are painful, making it difficult to open my mouth or even clench my teeth. This is an unusual experience for me, and I’m curious if this is something I should be worried about?

AgingFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
58 minutes ago

Optimal Timing for Taking Sucralfate with Other Medications

I'm a 54-year-old individual who has been on Pantoprazole, taking it twice daily for a year now. Recently, I received a prescription for Sucralfate. While I did use Sucralfate briefly last year, I was never quite confident about when to take it in relation to my other medications. During that time, which I discussed with my physician, my routine involved taking Pantoprazole one hour before meals, followed by Sucralfate prepared as a slurry thirty minutes later, with my meal occurring half an hour after the Sucralfate. Despite this plan, I keep encountering varying information on the subject and would appreciate a clearer guideline. If I plan to have dinner at 6 PM, I would like to know the ideal times for taking Pantoprazole and Sucralfate to ensure that I’m maximizing the efficacy of both medications. I’m concerned about the potential for timing to hinder their effectiveness. Thanks in advance for your help!

WellnessSupplementsPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
58 minutes ago

Availability of Rabies Vaccination in UK NHS A&E for Post-Exposure Treatment

After being bitten by a dog while traveling abroad, I completed the necessary rabies vaccination schedule as instructed (on days 0, 3, 7, and 14) and also received Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG). Now that I'm back in the UK, I need to get my final vaccine dose after 28 days. Is it possible for me to visit an A&E department for this shot? Local doctor's offices do not provide this service, and the only clinics I've discovered are private travel clinics that charge upwards of £100, which is beyond my budget at the moment. My travel insurance covered the initial treatments I received in Thailand (minus the excess charge), but they will not pay for this last dose. Given that I am dealing with a post-exposure situation, isn't it reasonable to expect that I could receive this vaccine through the NHS? I was indeed bitten, and if the dog was rabid, not receiving this last dose could have severe consequences. I'm puzzled as to why the only option appears to be a costly private clinic. Can I access this vaccine through the NHS? If so, what steps should I take to obtain it? Personal details: Female, 48 years old, 172 cm tall, 70 kg in weight, bitten on the left leg by a dog, no known medical issues.

VaccinationFamily MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Unusual Urine Color: Is It a Concern?

A 33-year-old woman from the UK, standing at 173 cm and weighing 84 kg, not taking any medications, and leading a lifestyle free from smoking and alcohol, recently noticed a peculiar change in her urine. About an hour ago, while she was in the restroom, her urine presented a bright yellow tone, accompanied by an unexpected hint of orange creaminess. Although she plans to provide a visual reference, she is currently more concerned about some discomfort she's experiencing. Lately, she has been feeling sporadic pain in her back; at times it manifests in the lower back area and at other times below her left rib. This sensation resembles a sharp jab that fluctuates in intensity but isn't severely distressing, rating it around 4 out of 10. Aside from this, she reports no significant previous health issues. Two days prior, her urine appeared slightly cloudy, yet nothing as alarming as the current situation. After hydrating with water, the color normalized. Given these developments, she is apprehensive about the unusual urine color and seeks advice on whether consultation with a healthcare professional is warranted, particularly as her regular doctor is unavailable until the following Monday.

AgingWellnessLifestyle Changes
Male25-34
1 hour ago