Enlarged lymph nodes in women can signal serious illnesses, they usually appear on the background of inflammation in the body. Lymph nodes are a kind of signal that something has gone wrong in the body.
The cause of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin in women can be either a banal cut or an infection. In any case, the woman should consult a doctor. Based on the symptoms and medical history, the doctor prescribes the necessary tests and studies, and then selects the treatment.
There is no need to panic, because the lymph nodes can increase with a common cold, but you should not hesitate to contact a medical institution.
What is this?
A lymph node is a kind of body filter that cleans the lymph fluid from various viruses and toxins, as well as cellular decay products. Bacteria can enter the lymph from peripheral tissues, and in the lymph nodes they undergodecontamination by immune cells. In addition, immune cells mature in the lymph nodes: T-killers and T-helpers. They protect the body from viruses and tumors.
The lymph nodes in the groin clear the fluids of the small pelvis as well as the lower extremities. In a he althy state, the size of the node is in the range between 1.5-2 cm. If a virus or bacterium has entered the body, the lymph node may increase.
Location of inguinal lymph nodes
Where are the lymph nodes located? The anatomy of the human structure involves the whole lymphatic system of the body. There are not only inguinal lymph nodes, each department has its own "infection filters". It is easy to understand where the lymph nodes are located in the groin of women, because they are quite easy to feel. The location is the perineum in the fold between the legs and the pelvic area. They are also palpable in the femoral triangle.
The layout of the lymph nodes suggests three groups:
- the upper level of lymph nodes is located in the femoral region and lower abdomen;
- next to the opening of the anus is the middle level;
- on the leg - lower level.
Lymph nodes, which are localized between the thigh and the inguinal zone, are palpated without diligence. But not all lymph nodes in the groin can be palpated - the upper and middle levels are not palpable.
The following is a diagram of the location of the lymph nodes in the groin in women.
Location of lymph nodes in men
Where are the lymph nodes in the groinmen? Inguinal lymph nodes are located at the junction of the thigh with the peritoneum, they are adjacent to the blood arteries, spermatic cord, inguinal canal.
Male inguinal lymph nodes are more sensitive to various diseases, they can increase with colds or allergies, muscle injuries or sprains. Reduced immunity and stress can also provoke a sharp increase in inguinal lymph nodes in men.
In general, the scheme where the lymph nodes in the groin of women are not much different from the male.
Lymphadenitis
A disease in which inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes is diagnosed is called lymphadenitis. For proper treatment, you need to remember that there are always good reasons that activate the lymphatic and immune systems. In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish several types of lymphadenitis, depending on the location of the lymph nodes in the groin in women and the causes of origin.
There is generalized and localized inguinal lymphadenitis.
To local include inflammation of one lymph node or several, inflammation can be unilateral or bilateral.
With unilateral inguinal lymphadenitis, the infection penetrates the lymph node from the outside. With bilateral lymphadenitis, we can talk about infectious lesions of the internal organs.
Types of inguinal lymphadenitis
There are two types of lymphadenitis:
- specific;
- non-specific.
Specific lymphadenitis occurs due to serious diseases, it can betuberculosis, pneumonia, syphilis, oncological diseases. Nonspecific lymphadenitis is possible due to the special location of the lymph nodes in the groin in women: infection occurs (usually sexual), this causes an increase in the lymph node.
Also, lymphadenitis can be chronic or acute. In acute, the patient has a sharp deterioration in the condition with an increase in body temperature and severe pain in the inguinal zone. Chronic lymphadenitis is a much more serious pathology, characterized by a constant increase in the lymph nodes that harden, resulting in the formation of adhesions.
Causes of enlarged lymph nodes
One of the common causes of swollen lymph nodes in the groin is the treatment of the infection that does not meet medical standards, so it is important to see a doctor and not self-medicate. Often, concomitant infections can provoke an enlarged lymph node.
The causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin in women can be the following factors:
- Skin damage: cuts when removing hair with a razor in the bikini area, bruises in the groin, cat scratches (with a slight injury, the Bartonella bacterium can cause an increase in lymph nodes), stab wounds of the lower extremities, leg fractures.
- Allergy: the cause may be a previously unused intimate hygiene product or shower gel; side effects of certain drugs ("Finlepsin", "Penicillin").
- Genital infections: acute thrush, vulvovaginitis,inflammation of the Bartholin canals (bartholinitis).
- Purulent skin lesions of the groin or lower extremities: such diseases can be triggered by E. coli or streptococcus.
- Diseases of viral etiology: acute influenza in a patient with a weak immune system, Epstein-Barr virus, chronic genital herpes, rubella, measles.
- Diseases of a venereal nature: the initial stage of syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea in the initial stage, latent or asymptomatic ureaplasmosis.
- Diseases of the female genital organs of non-inflammatory etiology: adhesive processes, ovarian cysts, disturbed hormonal levels.
- Diseases of the urinary system: chronic cystitis, urethritis, bladder stones (when they pass through the urethra, they affect the mucous membrane, an inflammatory reaction occurs), chronic pyelonephritis.
- The reaction of the body to surgery: non-infectious lymphadenitis can begin after operations on purulent inflammation (appendicitis in the last stage, peritonitis), and inflammation is also possible when the body rejects the implant during plastic surgery of the genital organs.
- Various infections: cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, HIV, mononucleosis, toxoplasmosis and others.
- Pathologies of the lower extremities: trophic ulcer, arthritis of the hip joint, erysipelas, arthritis of the knee joint.
- Oncological diseases: Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphosarcoma, malignant neoplasm of the rectum, as well as genital organs,metastases in the pelvic organs, cancer of the lymph node (it is impossible to determine the stage of the lesion by the way the cancer of the lymph node in the groin looks).
Symptoms
The location of the lymph nodes in the groin in women makes it possible for unilateral or bilateral lymphadenitis. As a rule, the disease process begins with the usual inflammation, which, if left untreated, can lead to the formation of suppuration, the development of adenophlegmon, or chronic enlargement of the lymph nodes.
The following symptoms are typical for enlarged inguinal lymph nodes:
- the diameter of the lymph node increases, in acute disease the lymph node can become the size of a chicken egg;
- painful sensations in the groin: in a calm state, the lymph nodes do not hurt, however, acute pain is possible on palpation, and unpleasant painful symptoms can also occur when running or walking fast;
- the skin above the lymph node and around it changes: visually, you can notice reddening of the skin, peeling and itching;
- a sharp increase in body temperature: this symptom usually occurs against the background of another disease, but is also a symptom of enlarged lymph nodes;
- weakness: when an infection is attached or a purulent process occurs in the body, the patient feels general weakness;
- lack of appetite: refers to the general symptoms of diseases that provoke an increase in lymph nodes.
In chronic lymphadenitis, the symptoms are mild or absent, but during periods of exacerbation, the symptoms become pronounced.
Diagnosis
For an accurate and correct diagnosis, it is important to apply as many diagnostic studies as possible so that the clinical picture is seen most clearly and clearly. If enlarged inguinal lymph nodes are found, a woman should contact a gynecologist or venereologist, then treatment will be prescribed based on the history and primary studies.
Complaints and anamnesis
Primary symptoms of the disease can be mild or, on the contrary, pronounced, it depends on the type of pathogen and the location of the lymph node in the woman's groin, so it is very important to take an anamnesis about the general lifestyle, about sexual activity, about injuries and injuries, about the patient's relatives who may be carriers of dangerous diseases.
Usually the patient complains about:
- groin pain;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- pain when playing sports;
- heat in the groin;
- reddening of the skin;
- Vaginal discharge in women.
Inspection
When visually examining a patient, the doctor must carefully examine the size of the lymph node and its mobility. The following signs may indicate acute inflammation:
- pain in the lymph node on palpation;
- swelling of tissues that are next to the inflamed lymph node;
- the lymph node is immobile due to the fact that it has grown together with neighboring tissues;
- dense lymph node consistency;
- bright red color of the skin over the lymph node.
If the doctor discovers that inIn the center of the lymph node there is a softening of the tissue, then this is a sign of the formation of purulent masses inside the node. With self-opening of a purulent abscess in the groin area, a phlegmon is formed - a compacted area without clear boundaries. Pus may be expelled through fistulous passages.
When a tumor forms, inflammation in the lymph node is mild:
- the skin over the lymph node does not differ in color from the rest of the skin;
- the lymph node is not connected to neighboring he althy tissues;
- no pain;
- the lymph node is hard on palpation.
Laboratory and instrumental studies
Prescribe for diagnosis:
- Complete blood count - in the presence of inflammation in the body, the number of leukocytes in the blood is increased, ESR is accelerated.
- Common urinalysis - in adults with inflammation, protein is found in the urine, and in children - ketone bodies.
- Biochemical blood test - high protein content in blood plasma.
- A blood test for antibodies - helps in identifying the cause of inflammation.
- Studies under a microscope - to identify tumor cells and the causative agent of infection, the lymph node is examined under a microscope.
- Bakposev - the material of the lymph node is examined for nutrient media and the sensitivity of the pathogen to a particular type of antibiotic is determined.
- X-ray examination - reveals possible changes in tuberculosis, and also helps to establish the presence of calcifications in the lymph node.
- Ultrasound study - look at defeatneighboring tissues, the size of the lymph node and its contents.
- Biopsy - a lymph node is pierced and material is taken for further research.
Treatment
Different doctors are involved in the treatment of pathology, it depends on the location of the lymph node in the woman's groin. As a rule, treatment can be prescribed by a gynecologist, surgeon or infectious disease specialist. The most commonly used conservative treatment. There can be various causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin. Treatment is prescribed strictly individually.
Drug therapy is the use of drugs and antiseptics for treatment. Women are prescribed a course of hormonal antibiotics, the most prescribed drug is Penicillin. The doctor determines the dosage and duration of administration individually for each patient. Also prescribed ointments for external use - "Levomekol", salicylic and tetracycline. Ointments give a positive effect only in complex treatment with antibiotics.
In addition to medication, physiotherapy is prescribed: electrophoresis and UHF. Physiotherapeutic procedures have an anti-inflammatory effect, but they are not used for purulent formations, since the tissues are heated and purulent masses are released.
Surgical intervention is carried out in the most neglected cases, if medicines and physiotherapy are ineffective. On an outpatient basis, a lymph node with a purulent formation is opened, a drainage is installed - a silicone tube, which promotes the outflow of purulent masses.
Forecast
Healing speedhas a direct dependence on the stage of the disease, as well as on the nature of the course. Often you have to first treat the cause of the inflamed lymph nodes, and only after that - the inflammation in the groin itself. The chronic form requires long-term treatment procedures, sometimes with a complex form, treatment can last for several months.
Inflamed lymph nodes respond well to treatment, for modern medicine, such a pathology is not a big problem.
