Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
Kidney stones form when there’s an imbalance in the urine. This imbalance leads to hard deposits made of minerals and salts inside the kidneys.
Learn the signs and stages of passing a kidney stone. What to do if a kidney stone stuck in urethra causes a blockage.
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when the urine has too many crystal-forming substances. These substances include calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid. They can cause severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. If not treated, they can lead to serious complications.
Several factors contribute to kidney stone formation. These include dehydration, diet, and genetic predisposition. Knowing these risk factors can help prevent kidney stones.
There are several types of kidney stones, each with different causes and characteristics. The most common types include:
Type of Kidney Stone | Characteristics | Causes |
Calcium Stones | Most common type, often associated with high calcium levels in the urine | Diet high in animal protein, sodium, and oxalate; dehydration |
Uric Acid Stones | Form when urine is too acidic, often associated with gout | Diet high in meat, seafood, and sweets; obesity; certain medications |
Struvite Stones | Typically occur in women with urinary tract infections (UTIs) | UTIs caused by certain bacteria |
Cystine Stones | Rare, often associated with a genetic disorder that causes cystine to leak into the urine | Genetic disorder cystinuria |
Understanding the different types of kidney stones and their causes is key. Recognizing risk factors and characteristics helps prevent and treat them. By knowing this, individuals can lower their risk of getting kidney stones.
The journey of a kidney stone through the urinary system is complex. It involves several distinct stages. Knowing these stages can help manage symptoms better.
The first stage starts when the kidney stone dislodges. This can cause sharp pain as the kidney tries to expel it. The pain often radiates to the back or side.
When the stone moves into the ureter, it causes severe pain. This pain can change in intensity and last from hours to days. It can also spread to the lower abdomen and groin, causing nausea and vomiting.
When the stone enters the bladder, the pain usually lessens. But, this stage brings frequent urination and a sense of urgency. The stone’s presence can irritate the bladder, causing these symptoms.
The final stage is when the stone passes through the urethra during urination. This stage is usually painless. People may feel relieved as the stone is expelled.
Knowing the four stages of kidney stone passage helps cope with symptoms. Recognizing each stage’s characteristics allows for better medical care and management.
The time it takes for a kidney stone to pass can vary a lot. This depends on the stone’s size and the person’s health.
Managing the passage involves staying hydrated and potentially using pain management techniques.
The first stage of passing a kidney stone starts when it moves from the kidney. This is often marked by sharp, intermittent pain. This pain shows the kidney’s effort to push the stone out, starting its journey through the urinary tract.
Intermittent sharp pain is a key sign of kidney stone dislodgement. This pain is usually sharp and can be very intense. It often feels in the side and back, below the ribs.
According to the Medical organization, this pain can also spread to the lower abdomen and groin. It’s a symptom to pay close attention to.
As the stone moves, the pain might get worse or change where it is felt. It’s important to notice these changes in pain patterns. They can show the stone is moving.
Other signs can also show a kidney stone has dislodged. These include nausea and vomiting. These happen because of the severe pain and how the body reacts to the stone.
People might also feel uncomfortable or uneasy as the stone starts moving. Spotting these symptoms can help you know the stone is on the move.
To figure out if the stone has moved, watch for changes in pain and other symptoms. When the stone starts moving through the ureter, the pain might get worse or feel different.
“The pain of a kidney stone is often described as one of the most severe pains experienced, typically felt in the flank or lower back.”
Noticing these changes can help you understand the stone’s movement. It also shows how the condition is progressing.
When a kidney stone moves into the ureter, it starts a very painful phase. The stone’s journey through the ureter brings on symptoms that are both painful and disrupt daily life.
The pain from the stone moving is severe and feels like waves. It can be very intense and change in strength. It might last for hours or even days, depending on the stone’s size and how it moves.
The pain waves come from the ureter’s muscles trying to push the stone down. This makes the pain feel like waves.
Key characteristics of this pain include:
The pain starts in the back or flank and moves to the lower abdomen and groin. This happens because the stone irritates the ureter, causing pain in other areas too.
Along with the severe pain, other symptoms can happen. These include:
Knowing these symptoms can help people deal with the pain better. It also helps them know when to see a doctor.
When a kidney stone reaches Stage 3, it moves into the bladder. This brings new symptoms. The pain from earlier stages may lessen, but new discomforts appear.
A key sign of bladder entry is a change in pain. The sharp, wave-like pain from the ureter fades. Instead, a feeling of pressure or discomfort in the bladder area becomes more common.
Bladder spasms happen when the stone irritates the bladder lining. These spasms feel like sudden, sharp pains or a need to urinate right away. It’s important to know these spasms mean the stone is almost out.
When a stone is in the bladder, you might need to urinate often. This can be every few minutes. This symptom is uncomfortable but means the stone is close to being passed.
Verywell Health says these symptoms come from the stone irritating the bladder. Knowing these signs helps prepare for the stone’s final passage.
When a kidney stone gets stuck in the urethra, it can cause a lot of pain and block the flow of urine. This is a serious situation that needs quick attention. We will look at the signs and symptoms, how it affects men and women differently, and what emergency signs mean you need to see a doctor right away.
A kidney stone stuck in the urethra can cause a lot of discomfort. You might feel:
The Medical organization says that if a kidney stone gets stuck, it’s a medical emergency. Spotting these symptoms early is key to getting the right help fast.
Men and women experience a kidney stone stuck in the urethra differently because of their body structure. Men might feel more pain in the penis or testicles. Women might feel intense pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. Knowing these differences helps both patients and doctors to quickly spot the problem.
Males: May feel pain spreading to the genital area, which could lead to issues like not being able to urinate.
Females: Might feel pain more focused in the pelvic area, which could lead to problems like urinary tract infections.
Some symptoms mean you need to see a doctor right away. These emergency warning signs include:
If you or someone you know is showing these symptoms, it’s important to get medical help fast. Waiting too long can cause serious problems, like infections or damage to the kidneys.
Dealing with a kidney stone stuck in the urethra is tough. It’s important to stay calm and get medical help right away if you see any emergency signs. Our healthcare team is ready to help you through your treatment.
Relief comes when a kidney stone passes. You might notice a sudden end to pain. Sometimes, you can even see the stone in your urine.
Here are signs a kidney stone has passed:
– Sudden relief from pain
– Seeing the stone in your urine
– Feeling something pass during urination
Passing a kidney stone is different for everyone. The stone’s size, location, and your health matter.
After passing a stone, see a doctor. They’ll check for any leftover pieces. They’ll also talk about how to avoid future stones.
Knowing the signs of passing a kidney stone helps. It lets you handle the experience better. And it helps you know when to get medical help.
Managing kidney stones needs a few key steps. Stay hydrated, change your diet, and use pain relief methods.
Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily. This helps flush out the stone.
Use over-the-counter pain meds like ibuprofen to ease pain.
By following these tips and making lifestyle changes, you can manage your kidney stones better. This will help reduce your discomfort.
When kidney stones are too big to pass on their own, doctors must step in. Alpha-blockers can relax the muscles in the ureter. This makes it easier for the stone to move out of the body.
In some cases, shockwave lithotripsy is needed to break up the stone. It’s important to talk to a healthcare professional to figure out the best treatment. With the right care, people can find relief from the pain and discomfort of kidney stones.
Dealing with kidney stones can be tough, but knowing the signs helps a lot. It’s important to recognize symptoms at each stage and know when to see a doctor. This makes the process smoother.
Handling kidney stone symptoms needs a full plan. Learning about the stone’s journey helps people deal with pain better. Verywell Health says kidney stones are common and can hurt a lot. Knowing the treatments helps manage symptoms.
The journey of a kidney stone through the body has many stages, each with its own symptoms. Knowing these symptoms and when to get medical help is key. It helps manage symptoms and ensures a successful passage.
Combining knowledge with medical care helps people get through this tough time. We suggest those with symptoms to stay informed and seek help when needed. This ensures the best outcome.
The four stages are: the stone leaves the kidney, moves through the ureter, enters the bladder, and then goes through the urethra.
You can see the stone in your urine. Also, when the pain goes away, it’s a sign the stone has passed.
Symptoms include severe pain and trouble urinating. If not treated quickly, it can be dangerous.
Passing a stone depends on its size. Small stones might pass in a week or two. Larger ones can take weeks.
Stones form when urine’s balance is off. Diet, not drinking enough water, and family history are common risks.
Drink lots of water and try pain meds. Some exercises can also help with the pain.
There are calcium, uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones. Each has its own cause and risk.
See a doctor for severe pain, trouble urinating, or if home care doesn’t help.
Doctors can use meds, surgery, or non-surgical methods like lithotripsy for tough stones.
Stay hydrated and eat well to lower your risk. Knowing your risk factors helps too.
National Center for Biotechnology Information – Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442014/
