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Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Ugurkan Demir
Dealing with kidney stones is painful and worrying. Many patients wonder how long a kidney stone stays in the bladder. At Liv Hospital, we’re here to help you understand this. Learn how long will a kidney stone stay in your bladder and what to expect.
When a kidney stone gets to the bladder, it usually goes in a few days. But, this time can change based on your age and prostate size if you’re a man. Kidney stones are common, hitting about 1 in 5 males and 1 in 10 females by age 70.
Knowing how a kidney stone moves from forming to leaving can ease your worries. We’ll look at how long it takes for a kidney stone to move through the bladder and what affects this journey.
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys. They can cause severe pain and discomfort. Knowing what kidney stones are and how they form is key to managing and preventing them.
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are solid masses of crystals in the urine. They can be made of calcium oxalate, uric acid, and struvite. Kidney stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball.
Kidney stones often form in concentrated urine, which can happen if you don’t drink enough water. A diet rich in animal protein, sodium, and sugar also plays a role. Certain medical conditions like hyperparathyroidism and urinary tract infections can also contribute.
Key factors in kidney stone formation include:
Kidney stones are a big health problem in the U.S. They affect a lot of people. About 1 in 11 people in the U.S. will get a kidney stone at some point in their lives.
| Prevalence | Percentage | Number of People (approx.) |
| Lifetime Risk | 9% | 1 in 11 people |
| Annual Incidence | 0.3% | 1 million people |
| Recurrence Rate | 50% | Within 5-10 years |
Knowing the stages of a kidney stone can help patients prepare. The journey of a kidney stone is complex. It goes from forming to being expelled.
The journey starts with the formation of a kidney stone in the kidney. This happens when minerals in urine crystallize and form a hard deposit. Dehydration, diet, and genetics can cause this.
After forming, the stone moves into the ureter. The ureter is the tube from the kidney to the bladder. This stage is painful, known as ureter pain, as the stone goes through the narrow ureter.
The stone then enters the bladder. Here, it can cause bladder pressure and discomfort. The stone stays in the bladder until it’s passed during urination.
The last stage is when the stone is passed out of the body through the urethra. This ends the four-stage journey of a kidney stone.
Understanding these stages helps patients cope with symptoms. It also prepares them for what to expect during the journey.
When a kidney stone reaches the bladder, many wonder how long it will stay. The time can vary a lot, depending on several factors. Usually, it passes within a few days once it gets to the bladder.
Knowing what affects how long a stone stays in the bladder is key. It helps manage expectations and know when to get medical help.
The time a kidney stone spends in the bladder can differ for everyone. While most pass in a few days, some may take longer or shorter times.
Several things can influence how long a stone stays in the bladder. These include:
Drinking plenty of water is recommended to help the stone pass quicker.
| Factor | Effect on Bladder Retention Time |
| Age | Older individuals may experience longer retention times. |
| Prostate Size | Enlarged prostate can prolong stone passage. |
| Stone Size | Larger stones are retained for longer periods. |
| Hydration Status | Adequate hydration facilitates stone passage. |
If a stone stays in the bladder too long, it can cause problems. These include infections or damage to the bladder. Look out for severe pain, trouble urinating, or fever. If you notice these symptoms, get medical help right away.
It’s important to know about these risks. And seek help if you have any concerning symptoms.
The size of a kidney stone is key in figuring out how long it takes to pass. Smaller stones are more likely to pass quickly, while bigger ones might need more time or medical help.
Stones smaller than 4 millimeters often pass on their own. About 80% of these small stones pass in one to two weeks. Their small size lets them move easily through the urinary tract.
Stones between 4 to 6 millimeters take longer to pass. Approximately 60% of these medium-sized stones pass in 45 days. Their size means they face more resistance, slowing their journey.
Large stones, over 6 millimeters, are a big challenge. The bigger the stone, the more likely it is to get stuck or cause pain. These stones often need medical help because they’re unlikely to pass naturally.
The size of a kidney stone is very important for how long it takes to pass. Knowing this helps both patients and doctors make better treatment plans.
Kidney stones can stay in the kidney for a long time, often without symptoms. This is due to the stone’s size and the person’s health.
Some kidney stones don’t cause pain or discomfort. These asymptomatic stones can go unnoticed for years. They are often found by chance during medical tests for other reasons.
Studies show that some people can have kidney stones for years without symptoms. Patient resources say some stones can stay in the kidney for decades without causing harm.
The average retention time for kidney stones is 31 to 45 days. But, this time can change based on the stone’s size, shape, and where it is in the kidney.
Knowing this average helps doctors set realistic expectations and plan treatments.
Several things can make a kidney stone move from the kidney to the urinary tract. These include:
It’s important for patients and doctors to know these factors. This helps manage kidney stones well and avoid problems.
When a kidney stone reaches the bladder, it brings new symptoms. Patients often feel relief but also new discomforts.
The pain from a kidney stone changes as it moves. At first, it’s severe and in the back or flank. Then, it moves to the lower abdomen and groin.
Pain Characteristics:
Urinary symptoms appear when the stone reaches the bladder. These include:
These symptoms happen because the stone irritates the bladder lining. This causes inflammation and discomfort.
It’s important to know the difference between ureter pain and bladder discomfort. Ureter pain is severe and moves from the flank to the groin. Bladder discomfort feels like a dull ache or pressure in the pelvic area.
| Characteristics | Ureter Pain | Bladder Discomfort |
| Pain Type | Severe, colicky | Dull ache or pressure |
| Location | Flank to groin | Pelvic area |
| Associated Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting | Frequent urination, urgency |
When the stone settles in the bladder, patients may need to urinate often. This is because the stone irritates the bladder, causing inflammation and discomfort.
Passing a kidney stone is a big deal. It’s the end of a long and tough journey through your urinary tract. When you pass a stone, it means the hard mineral deposits in your kidneys have moved through your system and are out of your body.
The journey starts in the kidney, where the stone forms. This can happen due to many reasons like how concentrated your urine is or a genetic issue. The stone then goes down the ureter, a muscular tube, to the bladder.
Once in the bladder, it waits until it’s time to leave through the urethra. This trip can be painful, more so when the stone goes through the narrow ureter.
Kidney stones leave your body when they reach the bladder and you urinate. The size and shape of the stone, and how hydrated you are, affect this process.
Knowing you’ve passed a kidney stone is a big relief. Here are signs:
If your symptoms are severe or you’re not sure if you’ve passed the stone, see a doctor. They can help.
The journey of a kidney stone through the urinary tract is complex. Many factors influence this process. Knowing these can help patients manage their condition better.
Age is a key factor in kidney stone passage. Older adults may face longer times for stones to pass due to weaker bladder muscles and larger prostate sizes in men. It’s vital for older patients to get close monitoring from their healthcare providers to avoid complications.
Gender also plays a role in how stones pass. Men are more prone to kidney stones and may face more challenges due to their anatomy. For example, men with bigger prostates may have stones stuck longer in the bladder. Knowing these differences helps tailor treatments to each patient’s needs.
How well you hydrate affects stone passage. Drinking enough water helps flush out the stone by increasing urine flow. Patients are usually told to drink lots of water to help the stone move. Keeping an eye on urine output is also important to ensure it’s enough to help the stone pass.
In summary, factors like age, gender, and hydration status greatly influence kidney stone passage. By understanding these, patients and doctors can work together to manage symptoms and ensure safe passage of stones.
Waiting for a kidney stone to pass can be tough. You need to manage pain, stay hydrated, and sometimes move around. The right steps can help you feel better and might even help the stone move faster.
Managing pain is key when waiting for a kidney stone to pass. Ibuprofen is a good choice for over-the-counter pain relief. Sometimes, doctors will prescribe stronger pain meds. Always follow the dosage and talk to your doctor before taking any medicine.
Also, using heat on your lower back or belly can ease pain. A warm bath or a heating pad on low can offer quick relief.
Drinking lots of water is vital for managing kidney stones. It helps flush out the stone and prevents more from forming. Try to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, unless your doctor tells you differently.
Rest is important, but some exercise can help too. Light exercise like walking can push the stone along. Some people find jumping jacks or other aerobic exercises helpful.
Most kidney stones can be managed at home. But, if you have severe pain, can’t pass urine, or have a fever, you need to see a doctor right away. If you have kidney disease or other health issues, your doctor might want to keep a closer eye on you.
Combining pain relief, staying hydrated, and doing some exercise can help manage symptoms. If your symptoms don’t get better or get worse, you should get medical help.
Knowing how long it takes for a kidney stone to pass can ease worries. Kidney stones are common and can be very painful. They affect millions of people around the world.
Learning about the journey of a kidney stone helps patients deal with it better. We’ve looked at the different stages of passing a stone. This includes how long it usually takes and what can slow it down.
Factors like age, gender, and how much you drink affect how fast a stone passes. Drinking enough water and managing pain can help stones move faster. This lowers the chance of serious problems.
In short, knowing about kidney stone passage helps patients manage their condition. We hope this summary has been helpful and easy to understand.
Kidney stones can stay in the kidney for a while without causing symptoms. They can stay from a few days to several weeks or months.
Kidney stones travel through the urinary tract. They come out through the urethra when you urinate.
Passing a kidney stone means the stone has moved through the urinary tract. It has been removed from the body through urination.
A kidney stone can stay in the kidney for 31 to 45 days on average. But, this time can vary a lot.
A kidney stone usually takes a few days to pass through the bladder. But, size, age, and prostate size can change this time.
Yes, you pee out a kidney stone. It leaves the body through the urethra.
Symptoms include needing to urinate urgently and feeling pressure. This happens when the stone reaches the bladder.
A kidney stone moves from the kidney, through the ureter, into the bladder. It then comes out through the urethra when you pee.
Size, age, and prostate size in men can affect how long a stone stays in the bladder.
Manage symptoms by using pain relief, staying hydrated, and doing physical activities. These can help the stone pass.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2025). How Long Will a Kidney Stone Stay in. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10458343/
