Bladder Stones
Hard mineral deposits that form in the bladder
Quick Facts
- Type: Urinary (urological) condition
- Main cause: Urine left in the bladder after urinating
- More common in: Older men with prostate enlargement
- Common symptoms: Lower belly pain, painful or frequent urination
Overview
Bladder stones are hard masses of minerals that develop in the bladder. They usually form when the bladder does not empty completely, allowing concentrated urine to sit and crystallize. Over time these crystals clump together into one or more stones.
Small stones may pass on their own in the urine, but larger ones can cause pain, irritation, and infection, and often need to be removed. Bladder stones are most common in older men, frequently linked to an enlarged prostate that blocks the flow of urine. Treating both the stones and the underlying cause helps prevent them from coming back.
Symptoms
Small bladder stones sometimes cause no symptoms and pass unnoticed. Larger stones, or those that irritate the bladder wall, can cause:
- Lower abdominal pain or discomfort
- Pain or burning during urination
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty urinating or a weak, interrupted stream
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy or unusually dark urine
- In men, pain in the penis or genitals
A stone that blocks the outflow of urine can stop urination and cause severe pain, which needs urgent care.
Causes
Bladder stones almost always form because urine remains in the bladder after urinating. Conditions that cause this include:
- Enlarged prostate: In men, prostate enlargement can block urine flow and prevent full emptying.
- Nerve damage (neurogenic bladder): When nerves controlling the bladder are affected, the bladder may not empty properly.
- Bladder outlet or urethral narrowing that obstructs flow.
- Long-term catheter use or foreign material in the bladder.
- Recurrent urinary infections that change the urine chemistry.
Risk Factors
- Being an older man with an enlarged prostate
- Nerve conditions affecting bladder control
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Long-term use of a urinary catheter
- Previous bladder surgery or bladder outlet obstruction
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose bladder stones using a combination of exam, urine testing, and imaging.
- Urine tests: To check for blood, infection, and crystals.
- Imaging: A CT scan, ultrasound, or X-ray to locate and size the stones.
- Cystoscopy: A thin camera passed into the bladder to view the stones directly.
Because bladder stones usually point to a problem with bladder emptying, the doctor will also look for an underlying cause such as an enlarged prostate.
Treatment
Treatment removes the stones and addresses the reason they formed.
- Increased fluids: Small stones may pass on their own with plenty of water.
- Breaking up and removing stones: A common approach uses a cystoscope to break stones with a laser or other energy and remove the fragments.
- Surgery: For very large or hard stones that cannot be broken up.
- Treating the cause: Managing an enlarged prostate, relieving obstruction, or improving bladder emptying to prevent recurrence.
Prevention
- Drink enough fluids to keep urine diluted
- Empty the bladder fully and seek treatment if you have a weak stream or trouble urinating
- Treat an enlarged prostate or other obstruction promptly
- Manage urinary tract infections early
- Follow medical advice for catheter care if you use one
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if you have lower abdominal pain, painful or frequent urination, a weak stream, or blood in your urine. Early evaluation can find stones and the underlying cause.
Seek emergency care if you suddenly cannot urinate at all, especially with severe lower abdominal pain, or if you have fever, chills, and back or side pain, which may indicate a blockage or serious infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes bladder stones?
They usually form when the bladder does not empty completely, so concentrated urine sits and crystallizes. The most common reason in men is an enlarged prostate blocking urine flow, but nerve problems, narrowing of the urinary tract, catheters, and repeated infections can also cause them.
Can bladder stones pass on their own?
Small stones may pass in the urine, sometimes with extra fluids to help flush them out. Larger stones usually need to be broken up and removed because they can cause pain, bleeding, infection, or blockage.
How are bladder stones removed?
The most common method uses a cystoscope, a thin camera passed into the bladder, to break the stones with a laser or other energy and remove the fragments. Very large or hard stones may require surgery.
Are bladder stones the same as kidney stones?
No. Kidney stones form in the kidneys and may travel down to the bladder, while bladder stones form in the bladder itself, usually because of poor emptying. Their causes and treatments differ, though both are mineral deposits.
When are bladder stones an emergency?
Seek emergency care if you suddenly cannot urinate at all, especially with severe lower abdominal pain, or if you develop fever, chills, and back or side pain, which can indicate a blockage or serious urinary infection.
References
- Mayo Clinic. Bladder stones — Symptoms and causes.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Bladder stones.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
- Urology Care Foundation. Bladder Stones.