What Causes Pain Below Navel?

Posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 8 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Pain below belly button and when pressed hard it feels hard in the area. Couple of things that need to know i have ibs and i have not had a period in five weeks. My cycle was always normal previously and last period was shorter in length. Also I have extreme anxiety. No other symptoms. Have previously had ovary pain checked out that showed nothing abnormal. Pain is mild. Feels kind of like constipation pain. Is this related to ibs or my ovaries???

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not likely to be ovaries, most probably gastritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Pain just below the belly button is not likely to be related to your ovaries.
Also, the menstrual irregularities that you mention, are more likely due to your age ( peri menopause ) when it is common to have such issues.
You should however have a pelvic ultrasound scan, Pap smear, internal exam and hormonal levels ( FSH, LH, Serum estradiol ) that will tell you where you stand with respect to menopause.
IBS might cause the pain described.
But I would request you to add a few more details so that I can guide you in a better manner.
Since how long have you had this pain ?
Is it related to meals ?
Do you have a history of gastritis ?
Are you on medication for IBS ?
Generally , such pain is most commonly due to gastritis.
It can be treated with simple remedies -
Have short frequent meals.
Avoid oil, spice, processed food, fat, rich food.
Have lots of water.
Have a small glass of chilled milk at night.
Avoid eating for atleast 2 - 3 hours before going to bed.
Do not go hungry for long periods, keep snacking a lot.
You may take Nexium and see if it helps, as it helps with gastritis.
All the best.
please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)

I have had gastritis in my twenties. The pain has moved to lower right in the ovary area. I have had pain there before and been checked for cyst. Ob said the egg you naturally make thats shed during period was a little larger on right ovary than normal. Pain when begins at dinner time and lasts for a few days. My only other question is in perimenopause can you still have ovulation pain. Have had it ioff an on since a teenager

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be ovulatory pain

Detailed Answer:
Well, ovulatory pain is possible in perimenopause, particularly when you mention that the OB said that you had a bigger egg .
If it is due to that, it would pass in a few days, and would not be related to meals.
I think that this is gastritis.
Why not try the Nexium and see if this goes away ?
You can reach me directly anytime, using the following link - http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aarti-abraham/64623
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar