Bladder stones
Stones - bladder; Urinary tract stones; Bladder calculiBladder stones are hard buildups of minerals. These form in the urinary bladder.
Causes
Bladder stones are most often caused by another urinary system problem, such as:
- Bladder diverticulum
-
Blockage at the base of the bladder
Blockage at the base of the bladder
Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder. It reduces or stops the flow of urine into the urethra. The urethra is t...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Enlarged prostate (BPH)
Enlarged prostate
The prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube th...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Neurogenic bladder
Neurogenic bladder
Neurogenic bladder is a problem in which a person lacks bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord, or nerve condition.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Foreign objects in the bladder
Almost all bladder stones occur in men. Bladder stones are much less common than kidney stones.
Kidney stones
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.
Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated. Materials in the urine form crystals. These may also result from foreign objects in the bladder.
Symptoms
Symptoms occur when the stone irritates the lining of the bladder. The stones may also block the flow of urine from the bladder.
Symptoms can include:
-
Abdominal pain, pressure
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Abnormally colored or dark-colored urine
Abnormally colored
The usual color of urine is straw-yellow. Abnormally-colored urine may be cloudy, dark, or blood-colored.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Blood in the urine
Blood in the urine
Blood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Difficulty urinating
Difficulty urinating
Difficulty starting or maintaining a urine stream is called urinary hesitancy.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Frequent urge to urinate
Frequent urge to urinate
Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual. Urgent urination is a sudden, strong need to urinate. This causes a discomfort i...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Inability to urinate except in certain positions
- Interruption of the urine stream
-
Pain, discomfort in the penis
Pain, discomfort in the penis
Penis pain is any pain or discomfort in the penis.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Signs of UTI (such as fever, pain when urinating, and need to urinate often)
Loss of urine control may also occur with bladder stones.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This will also include a rectal exam. The exam may reveal an enlarged prostate in men or other problems.
The following tests may be done:
- Bladder or pelvis x-ray
-
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Urinalysis
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Urine culture (clean catch)
Urine culture
A urine culture is a lab test to check for bacteria or other germs in a urine sample. It can be used to check for a urinary tract infection in adults...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Abdominal ultrasound or CT scan
Treatment
You may be able to help small stones pass on their own. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water or more per day will increase urination.
Your doctor (urologist) may remove stones that do not pass using a cystoscope. A small telescope will be passed through the urethra into the bladder. A laser or other device will be used to break up the stones and the pieces will be removed. Some stones may need to be removed using open surgery.
Cystoscope
Cystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube.
Medicines are rarely used to dissolve the stones.
Causes of bladder stones should be treated. Most commonly, bladder stones are seen with BPH or blockage at the base of the bladder. You may need surgery to remove the inside part of the prostate or to repair the bladder.
BPH
The prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube th...
Surgery to remove the inside part of th...
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgery to remove the inside part of the prostate gland. It is done in order to treat symptoms o...
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most bladder stones pass on their own or can be removed. They do not cause permanent damage to the bladder. They may come back if the cause is not corrected.
Left untreated, stones may cause repeated UTIs. This can also cause permanent damage to the bladder or kidneys.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of bladder stones.
Prevention
Prompt treatment of a UTI or other urinary tract conditions may help prevent bladder stones.
References
Ganpule AP, Desai MR. Lower urinary tract calculi. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 95.
Germann CA. Urologic disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 85.
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
Review Date: 5/17/2024
Reviewed By: Sovrin M. Shah, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
All rights reserved.