The inguinal region is one of the most intimate areas of each person, which, no less than other areas of the body, is susceptible to all kinds of diseases. One of the most common diseases is inguinal hernia. Men and young boys are more susceptible to this disease, due to some anatomical features.
Anatomy. Differences in the structure of the male and female groin
To understand what is meant by the inguinal region, it is necessary to determine its boundaries. From the point of view of anatomy, the inguinal region has the shape of a triangle and is delimited from below and outside by the inguinal ligament, from the inside by the outer edge of the rectus abdominis muscle, and from above by a line drawn between the anterior superior iliac bones.
An important anatomical structure is the inguinal canal. It is located in the lower part of the inguinal region, near the aforementioned inguinal ligament. The inguinal canal is a space of 5-7 cm. In men, the spermatic cord passes in this place, and in women, a round ligament of the uterus. The inguinal canal inlet is the superficial inguinal ring, and the outlet is the deep inguinal ring.
You need to understand that the inguinal region in men and women has a different structure. In addition to differences in the structure of the inguinal canal, an important factor is the hairline. In women, it is less than in men. A change in hair growth by an uncharacteristic type may indicate various endocrine disorders.
Do not forget about the significant differences in the structure of the genital organs of men and women.
In the inguinal region there is another important structure - the lymph nodes. They become inflamed with many diseases, and you can feel them yourself. To do this, remove the inguinal fold and perpendicular to the inguinal ligament begin to palpate. Slightly enlarged lymph nodes in the inguinal region are often considered the norm.
Persistent and painless swollen lymph nodes may indicate benign or malignant neoplasms (cancer). At present, testicular cancer is characteristic of increasingly younger people, now this age is in the range of 15-45 years. In women, one of the most common causes of death is ovarian cancer. Cervical cancer occurs at an older age - after 65 years.
Causes of diseases in the groin
Often all our diseases begin with pain. The groin area is no exception. The place of occurrence of unpleasant sensations indicates a certain pathology.
Pain in the groin on the right or left can indicate several diseases. This may be the result of inflammatory processes such as adnexitis, proctitis, endometritis, acute appendicitis, and parametritis. With many of them, inguinal lymph nodes can be enlarged.
Adnexitis
This is an inflammatory and infectious disease of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which is a consequence of the penetration of the infection through the bloodstream or through the genital tract. As a result of the disease, groin in women can be a source of pain. Together with this symptom, the patient's temperature rises, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, sometimes white purulent discharge appears. In general, the picture may be similar to acute appendicitis.
Acute appendicitis
In acute appendicitis and proctitis, the clinic may be similar to adnexitis, also localized in the right side. This is due to the specific position of the appendix or, in the case of proctitis, the features of the lesion of the rectum. For appendicitis, pain in the groin on the right is most characteristic.
Parametritis
This is a purulent inflammation of the fiber that surrounds the uterus. Like adnexitis, it is contagious. This disease is often associated with traumatic injuries, after which infection with an infectious agent already occurs. Injuries in this case can be abortions, rupture of the fallopian tube, various medical interventions. Depending on the vastness and strength of the lesion, a woman has a fever, a headache, etc.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Continuing the theme of infectious diseases, one cannot but recall sexually transmitted diseases. In our time, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, ureoplasmosis and many others have not lost their relevance. These diseases can be manifested by fever, itching, redness in the groin may appear, as well as other symptoms, depending on the pathogen.
Other reasons
But not all infections affecting the skin and organs of the groin are transmitted sexually. Some can be brought in after a gynecological examination, in which hygiene rules were not followed, or infection can occur by contact by household. An example of such an infection is a lot of epidermophytosis - diseases in which the skin is affected by a fungus. Infection usually occurs when using a common towel, in baths, showers, through bedding.
Causes of redness in the groin
Redness in the groin is not always a sign of an infectious disease. The causes may be allergic reactions caused by improperly selected powder or other detergents. Another of the most common causes is irritation after depilation in the pubic region. In order to avoid redness and vesicles, it is necessary to properly prepare for the procedure, use soothing agents for the skin.
In men, the inguinal region may turn red due to wearing uncomfortable underwear, often made of low-quality materials. Most often, this problem bothers people in summer, in hot weather. Redness can be: from minor, not disturbing erythema to severely itchy, with severe rash and vesicles. This phenomenon is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and is very annoying.
Women may also be bothered by the same inconvenience as men, but to a lesser extent. More often, the groin in women can turn red due to neurodermatitis. The cause of this disease is problems with the central nervous system. Also, in order to avoid redness, women need to observe more thorough intimate hygiene. Redness can also be caused by psoriasis. Studies indicate a higher tendency to psoriasis in blonde women.
Redness in the inguinal region is a common problem among children, especially under the age of one year. The main reasons are an untimely change of diapers, diapers, a strong wrapping of the child, as a result of which overheating occurs, and uncomfortable clothing that does not fit the size of the child. Do not forget about allergic reactions that can be caused by tissue, inappropriate soap, complementary foods, even breast milk.
Hernia. What and where from?
A fairly common problem is a hernia. What is an inguinal hernia? This is a protrusion of organs into the cavity of the inguinal canal. This disease is more susceptible to men, due to a flabby connective tissue in the inguinal ring, and also due to the wider superficial inguinal ring, about two times more than in women.
Hernias can be acquired and congenital. What is an inborn type inguinal hernia? It is characteristic of premature boys, which is often associated with untimely prolapse of the testicle. It is still necessary to distinguish between oblique and direct hernias. An oblique passes in the inner inguinal ring and goes along the inguinal canal obliquely, which is why it got this name. A direct inguinal hernia forms through the external inguinal ring, which is associated with weakness of the abdominal wall. Congenital hernias can be oblique, straight or inguinal-scrotal, and acquired mainly straight.
The disease can cause pain in the left groin, burning on the left or right in the inguinal region, and when you touch a painful spot, a person may feel a protrusion or “bump”. The size of the protrusion can be of various sizes: from a quail egg to a more impressive one, which depends on the weakness of the walls and the neglect of the process.
The protrusion itself in the initial stages can periodically disappear, and appear only with physical exertion or after them. A hernial sac may appear and disappear depending on the position of the body. If an inguinal hernia is suspected, pain in the left groin is felt, and you should definitely consult a doctor to avoid complications. Of the consequences, stool stool can be distinguished, which can lead to intestinal obstruction, inflammation of the testicle, inflammation of the hernia itself. But the most dangerous complication is an infringement of the hernia, which in some cases leads to the death of the patient.
When the above signs appear, the following alarm signals may join them:
- the presence in the stool of blood;
- repeated vomiting of central origin (after vomiting, relief does not come);
- a sharp increase in pain.
This indicates an infringement of the hernia. If the inguinal region gives such symptoms, then you need to remember the following: do not try to correct the hernial contents, you need to call an ambulance for immediate hospitalization.
Hernia Diagnosis
The basis of diagnosis is inspection. In some cases, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound of the hernia contents or herniography - an X-ray examination of the hernia. In men, it is advisable to conduct differential diagnosis with a femoral hernia (the hernia will be below the inguinal ligament) and with varicocele (dropsy of the testicle).
Hernia treatment
The success of treatment and the risk of complications depends on the patient - the sooner he goes to the hospital, the better for himself. The problem is that this disease does not bother many, since the formation of small sizes appears periodically, which people do not pay attention to.
Treatment is always prompt. An operation is performed to remove an inguinal hernia in men and women called hernioplasty, which is also herniography. During the operation, surgeons dissect the hernia and evaluate the organs located there. If everything is in order with them, then they are returned to the place, and then the abdominal wall is strengthened. If the organs are damaged, ischemic, then they must be removed. During the operation, the surgeon must evaluate the hernial contents according to the following criteria:
- color;
- the presence of ripple;
- peristaltic movements.
Now in hernioplasty, special nets are often used, which can reduce the risk of complications and prevent repeated hernias. In some cases, an operation to remove an inguinal hernia in men or women is performed without the notorious "incisions" - by means of a laparoscopic operation. The first week after it is necessary to refrain from the use of gas-forming products, and in the next 3-4 months to avoid intense physical exertion.