Why Does My Belly Button Hurt?

Amber J. Tresca
Updated ·7 min read

12 Common Causes of Belly Button Pain

<p>RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images</p>

RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS

If your belly button hurts, it's understandable to be concerned, particularly if the pain is sudden, severe, or persistent. Belly button pain, also called periumbilical pain, can occur in or around the belly button or extend beyond the belly. The pain may be dull or sharp, or it may be persistent or come and go in waves.

There are many possible causes of belly button pain, ranging from indigestion, constipation, and pregnancy to potentially severe concerns like appendicitis, pancreatitis, or bowel obstruction.

This article looks at 12 possible causes of belly button pain including the location and the characteristics of the pain and other accompanying symptoms.

<p>RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images</p>

RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images

Indigestion

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, is a common cause of belly button pain. It is often due to something you ate. The pain is typically described as burning or aching and is situated mainly between the breastbone and belly button.

Causes of indigestion include:

Indigestion is often treated with over-the-counter antacids like Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide) or H2 blockers like Pepcid AC (famotidine).

Related:Why Do I Have an Outie Belly Button?

Constipation

Constipation is when bowel movements occur less than two or three times per week. Constipation can cause pain—often sudden and sharp—in the belly button area as well as the lower abdomen.

Causes of constipation include:

  • Not eating enough fiber

  • Being physically inactive

  • Ignoring the urge to pass stools

  • Not drinking enough water

  • Side effects of certain medications

  • Numerous medical conditions

Constipation can often be relieved by eating more fiber and staying hydrated. Stool softeners and laxatives can provide short-term, occasional relief.

Hernia

A hernia is when a part of your insides bulges through a weakness in the muscles or tissues containing them. A ventral hernia is a type that involves the abdominal wall. Those that occur near or adjacent to the belly button are called umbilical hernias.

An umbilical hernia can cause a bump or bulge around the navel. You may feel pain, pressure, or a pulling sensation that radiates from the belly button to the lower abdomen. The pain can be especially sharp when coughing, sneezing, exercising, or stretching.

Hernias can be repaired surgically. The surgery may be open (involving a scalpel and large incision) or laparoscopic (involving specialized tools and tiny "keyhole" incisions).

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can cause abdominal pain as the baby grows inside the uterus (womb). A common cause during the second trimester is the stretching of the round ligament. This is a band of connective tissue between the uterus and groin that supports the expanding uterus.

A stretched round ligament can cause sudden, sharp pains in and around the belly button, especially when laughing, coughing, or making sudden movements. Though the pain is usually not a cause for concern, speak with your healthcare provider if the pain is severe or persistent.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the digestive tract, including the stomach and the small and large intestines. Crohn’s disease can cause abdominal cramping and pain ranging from mild or severe, often around the middle to lower abdomen and belly button. The pain often comes in waves during episodic flare-ups.

Other symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, blood in the stool, weight loss, and fatigue.

Crohn’s disease can be treated with a combination of medications (including steroids and biologics), changes in diet, stress reduction, and, in some cases, surgery.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, When inflamed, the appendix swells and becomes filled with a thick, infectious fluid called pus.

With appendicitis, the pain is generally dull when it starts around the belly button. The pain will then migrate to the lower right abdomen and become increasingly severe. Other symptoms include fever, indigestion, nausea, gas, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, and a loss of appetite.

Appendicitis requires emergency medical care. if left untreated, the appendix can spontaneously burst and cause potentially life-threatening complications.

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can affect any part of the urinary system.

Lower UTIs involving the bladder and urethra usually cause lower abdominal and pelvic pain. If the infection moves into the ureters and kidneys, the pain can migrate toward the middle and upper abdomen, including the belly button. The pain may be dull, sharp, or a combination of both.

UTIs can cause pain with urination, frequent urination, the inability to empty the bladder completely, and blood in the urine. The infections are typically bacterial and treated with antibiotics.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, or "stomach flu," may be caused by a virus (such as norovirus) or bacteria (such as E. coli or salmonella) found in contaminated, undercooked food.

Gastroenteritis can cause abdominal pain and cramping that comes in waves. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. The pain is often most intense in the middle and lower abdomen, including the belly button area.

Gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own in several days to a week. The treatment is mainly focused on managing symptoms and preventing dehydration.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria associated with peptic ulcers. The infection is hard to treat and causes symptoms of gastritis (stomach inflammation), characterized by abdominal pain, indigestion, acid reflux, nausea, and bloating.

The pain is mostly confined to the upper left abdomen but can be felt in the middle abdomen during acute flare-ups.

Symptoms of H. pylori can be managed with antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors like Nexium (esomeprazole). The infection itself can be cleared with a combination of antibiotics given over seven to 14 days.

Gallstones

Gallstones are crystallized masses of calcium that can block ducts of the gallbladder (the tiny organ that stores and secretes the digestive fluid bile). The gallbladder is located next to the liver and adjacent to the uppermost portion of the small intestine.

Gallstone pain can be felt in the middle to upper-right portion of the abdomen. The pain is often sharp and stabbing and can last from minutes to hours. Pain may also radiate to the back or right shoulder. Nausea and vomiting are common.

Most gallstones clear on their own and get passed into the intestine for removal in feces. Larger gallstones may need to be removed surgically.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. This is the organ situated just below and behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and insulin.

Causes of pancreatitis include:

The pain is often intense and persistent and can be felt in and around the middle abdomen. The pain can also radiate toward the back. Other symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and bloating.

The treatment of pancreatitis varies based on the underlying cause.

Bowel Obstruction

A bowel obstruction is the blockage of the intestines that doesn't allow stool to pass. It can cause severe "crunching" pain from the belly button to the lower abdomen.

The pain can come in ever-increasing waves until either the blockage is cleared or the intestine bursts. Nausea, vomiting, and bloating are common.

Bowel obstruction can be caused by:

A bowel obstruction requires immediate emergency care. Medications and procedures like bowel decompression may help clear the obstruction. If these don't work, open surgery may be needed.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Any persistent pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Seek emergency care when abdominal pain is severe, sudden, and accompanied by:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea that won’t stop

  • Blood in the vomit

  • Bloody stool

  • Fainting or dizziness

  • Bloating but with the inability to pass gas

Summary

There are many possible causes of belly button pain. The pain may occur (or initially occur) on its own in people with indigestion, constipation, appendicitis, pregnancy, or an umbilical hernia. Or, it may occur with other symptoms in people with Crohn's disease, urinary tract infections, stomach flu, H. pylori infection, gallstones, pancreatitis, or bowel obstruction.

Whatever the cause, see a healthcare provider if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other unusual symptoms.

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