The member who replied first told that the pain described in the first post could be caused by either ovulation or pregnancy. However, not everyone agreed with this statement. The participant who answered next told that the pain bothered her for years and that she was not ovulating and she was definitely not pregnant.
It only happens when I hyper-extend my torso or bend the wrong way. Anyone else has any suggestions as to what this could be?
Several other participants confirmed that the movement caused the pain for them as well.
I was getting up from the chair, as I was getting up this tearing feeling, kind of like a tear-stretch, painful thing....just in the belly button though.
If I bend backwards or stand up straight it is like I am getting stabbed.
One member said that she has scar tissue from minor surgery (laparoscopy) in her belly button, suspecting that it could be causing the pain. She also mentioned appendicitis, but there was no right sided pain. This participant was among those who mentioned hernia as a possible culprit. Most participants who reported this pain were females, describing the problem just like the discussion starter, i.e. referring to it as a "string" that pulls extremely sharp from the belly button to the clitoris.
Many of them told that the pain occurs right before they get their period. Several pointed out endometriosis as a possible cause.
I'm wondering if it does, in fact, have to deal with my period or if its something completely different?
While the abdominal pain could be a period-related, the type of pain described in the discussion most likely isn't related to the menstrual cycle. One participant told she had the pain before her oophorectomy and even after this surgical procedure to remove ovaries. She added that she's getting the pain even though she has NO female organs.
I use to think it was some how related to my cycle, but not anymore. This probably wasn't much help, but wanted to let you know it's unlikely that it's related to your period.
That this type of pain isn't period-related became even more obvious when several male participants reported having the pain that stretches from the belly button and down to the penis.
It happens to me after I bench press much more than I should, so I'm guessing it must be some sort of abdominal strain.
He added that he did nothing about the pain after he had felt it, which turned out to be a hernia and required surgery. This member told that after the surgery he doesn't bench more than he should and stretches his abdominal muscles before bench workout.
Another male participant also told he experienced the pain after working out/benching, describing it as a feeling of his belly button becoming the most sensitive part of his body, reminding him of an open wound. Stretching back slowly helps the pain go away.
Besides hernia and endometriosis, other possible causes mentioned in the discussion include:
- bacterial infection
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
- constipation
One participant recommended that women with this problem should douche with vinegar and water once a month. However, most clinical studies and doctors recommend that women don’t douche because douching can change the necessary balance of vaginal flora (bacteria that live in the vagina) and natural acidity in a healthy vagina. Douching especially should not be used to try to get rid of vaginal problems like discharge, pain, itching, or burning. Douching can also lead to many health problems including bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and even STIs, including HIV.
What do experts say?
Many conditions can cause a sharp pulling pain in the belly button, including those affecting the urinary system, gastrointestinal organs, and reproductive organs. It is hard to tell which condition may cause this type of pain without detailed medical examination and tests.
Abdominal muscle strain
Abdominal muscle strain can refer to any tear, stretch, or rupture of the abdominal muscles, and is sometimes referred to as a pulled muscle. Abdominal strain can be caused by anything from a sudden movement, intense and excessive exercise (especially not properly warmed up or rested), lifting heavy objects to laughing, coughing, or sneezing.
Symptoms may include:
- sudden sharp or pulling pain, especially when stretching or flexing the muscle
- tenderness
- stiffness
- swelling or bruising
Treatment involves rest, heat/cold therapy, compressions, OTC painkillers, or visit to the doctor if the symptoms don't improve.
HerniaThe abdominal hernia usually presents with similar symptoms as the abdominal muscle strain, but you may also notice lump or bulge in the abdomen, as well as the symptoms such as:
- nausea
- vomiting
- constipation
A hernia is caused by increased pressure near the belly button, and part of the intestine or fatty tissue then bulges out. Hernias should be treated surgically.
AppendicitisAppendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes infected and then inflamed. The appendix is part of the large intestine, which is why the pain may occur near the belly button. The pain usually moves from the belly button to the lower right side of your abdomen. However, appendicitis includes other symptoms as well, such as:
- fever
- an upset stomach
- back pain
- bloating
- nausea or vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
- loss of appetite
Appendicitis is a medical emergency. If it's not treated urgently, your appendix can rupture and can cause potentially life-threatening complications. Surgical removal of the appendix is the only treatment for appendicitis.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) or Interstitial cystitisUrinary tract infection (UTI) and Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome) are two conditions that may cause pain in the belly button.
Interstitial cystitis (IC), often called painful bladder syndrome, is a tricky condition that is tough to diagnose because it shares a lot of common symptoms with UTI. The difference between the two is that the UTI is usually an infection caused by bacteria, while the origin of Interstitial cystitis is not well known, and it is often suspected that it might be several diseases. Also, UTI is an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary tract, including kidneys, bladder, and the urethra, while IC only affects the bladder. IC affects people in their 30s and 40s and is much more common in women than men.
Common symptoms of both conditions include:
- pelvic pain (felt below your belly button)
- sudden strong urges to pee
- needing to pee more often than normal
- pain in the lower back or urethra
- for women, pain in the vulva, vagina, or the area behind the vagina
- for men, pain in the scrotum, testicles, penis, or the area behind the scrotum
- pain after sex, or in males, pain during an orgasm
When to call a doctor?
Determining the cause of the belly button pain can help find the appropriate treatment. This is why it is important to visit your doctor. Also, you should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:
- abdominal pains that are severe or won't go away
- fever
- nausea and vomiting that doesn’t go away
- blood in your stool
- swelling or tenderness of your abdomen
- unexplained weight loss
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Discussion highlights
What symptoms have been reported?
- its pulling below the the belly button.am in serious pain.
- I get this exact same horrible pain (including the pain with urination) when I eat too much sugar.
- I have had this problem on and off for years too.
- It is not just the stretching but the difficulty wearing clothes that touch it.
- It's not red or swollen, nothing coming out of it or anything gross like that it just hurts.
What helped relieve the symptoms?
- Once I use the one-day Monistat, I'm fine.
- I had same thing and went to doctor, she said it was a urinary tract infection and gave me some antibiotics.
- There is also no cure, but childbirth eases the symptoms a great deal, and birth control pills can help somewhat.
- Sometimes I take a couple aleve and drink water.
- One might want to try drinking a lot of water and some pepto.
Verification Claims & Medical Studies
-
Douche with vinegar and water once a month.
https://www.womenshealth.gov/files/documents/fact-sheet-douching.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2567125/
In conclusion
It's hard to tell what causes the sharp, pulling pain in the belly button that radiates toward pelvic area and genitals without detailed medical examination. If you experience this type of pain, you should visit your doctor to receive the proper diagnosis.