Belly Button Pain: Common Causes, Red Flags, and What to Do

Belly button pain (also called navel pain, a navel ache, or pain around the navel) is a symptom—not a diagnosis. Sometimes it is harmless (gas, constipation, a short-lived stomach bug). Other times it is an early warning sign that something inside the abdomen needs urgent evaluation.

This guide is designed to help you quickly answer four practical questions:

• Where is the pain? (above, below, right, left, behind/inside, or directly on the belly button)
• How severe is it, and is it worsening?
• What symptoms are happening with it? (fever, vomiting, urinary symptoms, pregnancy, etc.)
• Do you need emergency care today?

This information is educational and cannot diagnose you. If you feel unsafe or the pain is severe, seek emergency care.

When belly button pain is an emergency

Seek emergency care now if belly button pain comes with any of the following:

• Severe pain (especially sudden, sharp, or rapidly worsening)
• Fainting, confusion, or severe weakness
• Vomiting that won’t stop, inability to keep fluids down, or signs of dehydration
• Blood in vomit or black/bloody stools
• High fever with worsening abdominal tenderness
• A painful bulge near the belly button (possible hernia complication)
• Pregnancy with severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or you feel something is seriously wrong
• Child/teen with severe pain, lethargy, green (bilious) vomiting, or bloody diarrhea

Belly button pain by location: what it may mean

Location helps narrow possibilities. Use this section like a quick “map,” then move to the age-specific sections below.

Pain above the belly button

People often describe this as pain above belly button, stomach pain above belly button, stomach hurts above belly button, pain in middle of stomach above belly button, or even pain 2 inches above belly button.

Common patterns include:

• acid irritation / indigestion
• inflammation of the stomach lining
• ulcer-type pain
• gallbladder-related pain (can start centrally, then localize)
• less commonly, pancreas-related inflammation (especially if severe)

Pain around the belly button

Often searched as pain around belly button, stomach pain around belly button, abdominal pain around belly button, hurting around navel, or “why does my belly button hurt.”

Common patterns include:

• stomach virus / gastroenteritis
• constipation and gas
• early appendicitis (can begin near the belly button before migrating)

Pain behind / inside the belly button

Often searched as pain behind belly button, pain inside the belly button, or “tummy button” pain (pain above tummy button, sore tummy button).

Common patterns include:

• abdominal wall strain
• an umbilical hernia (especially if there is a bulge)
• localized irritation/inflammation (especially if there is redness or discharge)

Pain below the belly button

Often searched as pain below belly button, pain under belly button, male lower abdominal pain below belly button, or belly button pain female (when the discomfort is lower abdomen/pelvic).

Common patterns include:

• constipation
• urinary issues (bladder irritation, UTI symptoms)
• pelvic causes (varies by anatomy and age)

Pain to the right or left of the belly button

Often searched as pain to right of belly button or pain near belly button right side, and pain to the left of belly button.

Side-specific pain is more concerning when it is worsening, persistent, or paired with fever/vomiting.

Adults: common causes of belly button pain (and how it typically feels)

Pain above the belly button (upper abdomen)

Indigestion / reflux / gastritis

Typical clues:

• burning, gnawing, or pressure-like discomfort
• worse after spicy/fatty foods, coffee, or alcohol
• may improve temporarily with antacids

Ulcer-type pain

Typical clues:

• persistent or recurring upper abdominal ache
• may be worse when the stomach is empty or at night
  Do not ignore upper abdominal pain with vomiting blood or black stools.

Gallbladder irritation

Typical clues:

• may start as central upper abdominal discomfort, then localize to the right upper area
• often worse after fatty meals
• nausea is common

Pancreas-related inflammation (less common, higher risk)

Typical clues:

• severe, constant upper abdominal pain
• vomiting, weakness, and feeling very unwell

Pain around the belly button (mid-abdomen)

Stomach virus / gastroenteritis

Typical clues:

• cramping pain (often around the navel)
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• body aches and low-grade fever can occur
  The biggest risk is dehydration—especially in older adults and children.

Constipation / gas pressure

Typical clues:

• bloating, pressure, intermittent cramps
• relief after passing stool or gas
• pain can be centered around the navel

Early appendicitis

Appendicitis does not always start on the right. A common pattern is:

• vague pain near the belly button at first
• then pain becomes sharper and moves toward the lower right side
  If the pain is shifting, intensifying, and paired with nausea/fever or appetite loss, seek evaluation.

Pain behind the belly button / “deep” belly button pain

Umbilical hernia

Typical clues:

• a bulge or swelling on or near the belly button
• discomfort when coughing, lifting, straining
  Urgent concern if the bulge becomes very painful, firm, red, or cannot be pushed back in.

Abdominal wall strain

Typical clues:

• sharp pulling pain in belly button after lifting, workouts, coughing, or twisting
• worse with movement or pressing the area
  This can feel like tenderness belly button or soreness directly over the navel.

Belly button pain when pressed

Searches like belly button pain when pressed, pain on belly button when pressed, pain when belly button is pressed, pain when pushing belly button, and pain when push on belly button are extremely common.

This symptom can occur with:

• constipation or trapped gas (pressure sensitivity)
• abdominal wall strain (muscle irritation)
• early inflammatory conditions inside the abdomen
• hernia (especially if there is a bulge)

Practical tip:
If pain is mild and you otherwise feel well, avoid repeatedly pressing the area. If it is worsening or paired with fever/vomiting, it should be evaluated.

Belly button pain when peeing (urinating)

Searches like belly button pain when I pee, pain in belly button when I pee, or pain in the belly button when urinating often point to bladder/urinary irritation—especially when pain is below the belly button and paired with:

• burning with urination
• urgency or frequent urination
• foul-smelling urine
• fever or back/flank pain (more concerning)

Urinary issues can sometimes feel “central” or radiate upward, so persistent pain should be checked—particularly if fever is present.

Kids/teens: belly button pain in children (what to watch for)

A child complaining of stomach pain near belly button is common and is often caused by constipation, mild viral illness, or stress. The difference is that kids can dehydrate faster and may not describe symptoms clearly—so the red flags matter even more.

Most common (usually not dangerous)

• constipation
• viral gastroenteritis
• strep throat (yes—some kids mainly complain of stomach pain)
• stress/anxiety (especially recurrent pain)

Warning signs in kids/teens

Seek urgent evaluation if a child has belly button pain plus:

• fever with worsening tenderness
• green (bilious) vomiting
• bloody diarrhea
• severe lethargy or dehydration
• pain that localizes strongly to one side or worsens with movement

Pregnancy: belly button pain and “is this a miscarriage?”

Belly button pain during pregnancy can be benign (stretching of the abdominal wall), but pregnancy also changes anatomy and can make serious problems harder to identify.

Common non-emergency causes

• stretching and abdominal wall strain
• ligament-related discomfort (worse with movement)

When pregnancy belly button pain is urgent

Seek emergency care for pregnancy-related abdominal pain when it is:

• severe, worsening, or accompanied by heavy bleeding
• paired with fainting, severe headache, chest pain, or shortness of breath
• accompanied by fever or persistent vomiting

Is belly button pain a sign of miscarriage?

Searches like “is belly button pain a sign of miscarriage” are understandable, but pain alone is not specific. Any pregnancy pain that is severe, worsening, or paired with bleeding or fainting should be evaluated urgently.

What to do at home (if symptoms are mild)

If the pain is mild, improving, and there are no red flags, consider:

• Hydration (small sips frequently if nauseated)
• Rest
• Gentle foods (bland, easy-to-digest)
• If constipation seems likely: fiber + hydration; avoid overusing laxatives without guidance
• Avoid heavy lifting/exercise if it feels like abdominal wall strain

Avoid “masking” a worsening problem:
If pain is escalating, persistent, or you feel unwell, do not rely on repeated doses of pain medication to push through it—seek evaluation.

What emergency evaluation may include

If belly button pain needs urgent evaluation, an emergency department may use:

• a focused history (timing, location changes, vomiting/fever, urinary symptoms, pregnancy status)
• an abdominal exam (tenderness, guarding, rebound)
• labs (blood/urine)
• imaging when appropriate

The goal is to rule out dangerous causes early and treat dehydration, infection, inflammation, or surgical issues promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you need urgent help

If belly button pain is severe, worsening, or comes with red-flag symptoms, seek emergency care. If you are in Houston, Post Oak ER is open 24/7.

Reference List

• MedlinePlus — Abdominal Pain: https://medlineplus.gov/abdominalpain.html (MedlinePlus)
• MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Appendicitis: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000256.htm (MedlinePlus)
• MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Umbilical Hernia: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000987.htm (MedlinePlus)
• CDC — About Norovirus (symptoms/overview): https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/index.html (CDC)
• CDC HEAR HER — Urgent Maternal Warning Signs: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html (CDC)
• AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) — Acute Abdominal Pain in Children (PDF): https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2024/1200/acute-abdominal-pain-children.pdf (AAFP)
• AAP HealthyChildren.org — Abdominal Pain in Children: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Abdominal-Pain-in-Children.aspx (healthychildren.org)