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Sore groin area, swollen inguinal nodes

I had unprotected sex with a girl 10 weeks ago. 5 weeks later, whilst on holiday, I developed a burning/tingling sensation in my penis (although not when I urinated, just coming and going). I saw a nurse who suggested it could be a fungal infection (she doubted it was an STD) and gave me some cream, which eased the pain a little although didn't entirely eradicate it.
Upon getting back to the UK I went for testing at a GUM clinic, tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and Syphillis came back negative. This may be unrelated but about two weeks ago the lymph nodes in my groin swelled up and now I have a sharp stabbing pain in my groin area and top of my right leg which comes and goes. It hurts when I walk or do any strenuous physical activity. I also continue to have a mild stinging sensation on my penis and seen to be going to the toilet a little more often that usual.
This has been a stresful time so I am not ruling out that some of this is anxiety-related, but the pain in my groin is very real. I saw my GP who examined me but was at a loss to suggest what it could be, does it sounds STD-related to you? Could it perhaps be a urinary infection?
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks fo rthe clarification.  My suspicion, based on your additional information is that your discomfort is unrelated to yoru lymph nodes.  there is no reason for concern about STDs.  EWH
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Avatar universal
Dear Dr Hook,

Many thanks for your response.
I am quite skinny so my GP could not be certain whether they were swollen or not, but that is the area the pain is coming from, on the right hand side, around the pelvic bone and the top of the leg. The pain is worse if I sit for long periods and sometimes when walking. It does come and go though, and baths seem to help. It certainly seems to be worse after coffee and alcohol as well, which I have given up for the time being.

In terms of reasons for Musco-skeletal problems, I can't think of any other than I work in an office and cycle to and from work, which is around 6 miles a day in total. I seem to be urinating more often than I normally do but it doesn't burn, just a tingling feeling from time to time, which is why I am worried there may be an infection, although I haven't had any disharge.
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum.  Just to be sure, your doctors do agree that your lymph nodes are swollen, correct?  And, if so, are they on one side of your groin or both?  

Clinicians train hard to detect subtle abnormalities and to if they are present, interpretation of why they are present is difficult.  Sometimes discomforts of the sort you describe can be due to muscle strain but mimic or even co-exist with swollen lymph nodes causing confusion.  The fact that your discomfort comes and goes suggests the discomfort may be musculo-skeletal in nature rather than due to swollen lymph nodes- this could occur and the fact that lymph node swelling is present could just be co-incidental.  

Lymph nodes can swell due to any of a large number of infections both viral and bacterial, as well as due to allergic reactions, due to autoimmune disorders and other problems.  The lymph nodes at the top of the legs, in the groin serve the legs, the pelvis and the genital area.  Your negative tests suggest that this is not due to an STD.  For this reason we encourage clients who are concerned about swollen glands to check with their own health care providers rather than try to diagnose themselves and, if swollen lymph nodes are present.


Thus while there may be a component of anxiety contributing, it seems that if there is real discomfort present it could be due to either musculo-skeletal problems ( a pulled muscle, strained ligament) or represent lymph node swelling.  If the pain is due to the lymph nodes it should be tender while that may or may not be the case with a musculo-skeletal problem.  Any reason there might be a musculo-skeletal problem?  As I said, your history and test results make STDs unlikely.  EWH
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