Bladder stones are less common than kidney stones, but they can be painful and keep coming back if their cause is not dealt with. This guide explains how they form, who is at risk, the symptoms, how they are diagnosed and treated, how to lower the risk, and when to seek urgent help.
Medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Samir Ahmed Al-Samarrai, consultant urologist. Last reviewed: · Last updated:
What are bladder stones?
Bladder stones (bladder calculi) are hard deposits that form when minerals in urine clump together inside the bladder. According to the NHS, this usually happens because the bladder is not fully emptied. According to a 2020 review in the Turkish Journal of Urology, about 5% of urinary tract stones are found in the bladder. Some stones start in the kidney and pass down into the bladder, where they can grow; you can read more in our guide to kidney stones.
Causes and risk factors
According to the NHS and Mayo Clinic, causes include:
- Enlarged prostate: a leading cause in men, as it narrows the bladder outlet. See our guide to enlarged prostate.
- Neurogenic bladder: nerve damage from spinal cord injury, spina bifida, stroke or similar conditions.
- Bladder catheters and stents: according to Mayo Clinic, these devices can attract mineral build-up, as can any foreign object in the bladder.
- Other bladder problems: a prolapsed bladder in women (cystocele), pouches in the bladder wall (diverticula), repeated infections and long-term constipation.
According to Mayo Clinic, men, especially those over 50, are at higher risk, although women and children can also be affected. The NHS notes that bladder stones are rare in children in the UK. In some low-resource countries, however, stones in children are still common: a 2016 review in the International Journal of Surgery links them mainly to hot climate, poor nutrition and diarrhoeal illness.
Symptoms
Some people have no symptoms. When symptoms appear, the NHS and Mayo Clinic list:
- Pain in the lower belly
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Needing to pass urine more often, including at night
- Difficulty starting to urinate, or a stream that suddenly stops
- Blood in the urine, or cloudy or dark urine
- Repeated urinary tract infections
Other conditions can cause the same symptoms, so see a doctor. Blood in the urine always needs checking; see our guide to blood in urine.
How bladder stones are diagnosed
According to Mayo Clinic, the examination may include checking the bladder and, in men, a rectal examination to assess the prostate. Tests may include:
- Urine test: looks for blood, infection and crystals.
- Blood test: the NHS notes a blood test may also be done.
- Ultrasound scan: the review in the Turkish Journal of Urology describes it as the first test in most cases.
- CT scan: according to Mayo Clinic, it can find even very small stones.
- Cystoscopy: a thin tube with a camera is passed through the urethra to look inside the bladder. Learn more in our guide to cystoscopy.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the stone, its cause and your health, and is decided by your urologist. According to the NHS, small stones may pass out in the urine, but larger stones usually need to be removed, and the cause must also be treated to stop them returning.
| Option | What it involves | When it may be used |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking more fluids | Helping a small stone pass on its own | Small stones; Mayo Clinic notes it may not work if the bladder does not empty well |
| Cystolitholapaxy (endoscopic treatment) | A camera tube is passed into the bladder; stones are broken up with a crushing device, sound waves or a laser and flushed out | The most common procedure, according to the NHS |
| Percutaneous removal | Reaching the bladder through a small cut in the lower belly | When the route through the urethra is not possible |
| Open surgery | Removing the stone through a larger cut in the bladder | Rarely; for very large or hard stones or when other methods are not suitable |
According to the NHS, cystolitholapaxy is done under local or general anaesthetic and takes between 15 minutes and 1 hour. A catheter may be needed for a few days, and the hospital stay is usually 1 to 3 nights. The review in the Turkish Journal of Urology states that treatment through the urethra clears stones as well as open surgery with a shorter hospital stay.
Treating the cause: if an enlarged prostate or a blockage caused the stones, Mayo Clinic and the review note that it is often treated at the same time, usually with surgery.
Can bladder stones be prevented?
Prevention focuses on the underlying cause. The NHS and Mayo Clinic suggest:
- Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water; ask your care team how much is right for you.
- Not holding in or delaying urination.
- If you still feel you need to pass urine after finishing, trying again 10 to 20 seconds later, according to the NHS, to help empty the bladder.
- Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables to avoid constipation.
- Seeing a doctor soon after urinary symptoms start, so problems such as an enlarged prostate or infection are treated early.
When to see a doctor and when it is urgent
See a doctor if you have lower belly pain that is not improving, pain when urinating, need to urinate more often than usual, or difficulty passing urine. According to the NHS, get urgent medical help if you have:
- A very high or low temperature, feel hot or cold, or are shivering
- Blood in your urine, which may look pink, red or dark brown
- Severe pain when passing urine
Seek emergency care if you cannot pass urine at all, especially with a painful, swollen lower belly; see our guide to urinary retention.
Frequently asked questions
Are bladder stones the same as kidney stones?
No. Bladder stones form in the bladder, usually because it does not empty fully. Kidney stones form in the kidneys, although a small kidney stone can travel down into the bladder and grow there. Your doctor will look for where the stone came from.
Can a bladder stone pass on its own?
According to the NHS, small stones may pass out when you urinate. Larger stones usually need to be removed. Mayo Clinic notes that drinking more water may help a small stone pass, but this may not work if the stone is caused by a bladder that does not empty properly.
Is the procedure to remove bladder stones painful?
Cystolitholapaxy is done under local or general anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during it. According to the NHS, a catheter may be used for a few days afterwards. Your doctor will explain what to expect and the possible risks.
Can bladder stones come back?
Yes. The NHS notes that stones may return, especially if their cause is not treated. That is why doctors look for and manage the underlying problem, such as an enlarged prostate or poor bladder emptying, and why drinking enough fluids and emptying the bladder fully are encouraged.
Do children get bladder stones?
According to the NHS, bladder stones are rare in children in the UK. They remain more common in children in some low-resource countries, linked mainly to climate and nutrition. A child with urinary pain, blood in urine or fever should see a doctor.
Are bladder stones dangerous?
They are usually treatable, but if left untreated, Mayo Clinic says they can cause long-term bladder problems, repeated infections or a blockage that stops urine flowing, so getting checked matters.
Sources
- Bladder stones – NHS
- Bladder stones – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
- Bladder stones – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
- Guideline of guidelines for kidney and bladder stones (Turkish Journal of Urology, 2020)
- Paediatric urolithiasis in emerging economies (International Journal of Surgery, 2016) – UroToday abstract
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Prof. Samir Al-Samarrai and Dr. Amer Mousa assess urological conditions at Prof. Al-Samarrai Medical Center, Dubai Healthcare City, and discuss the options that suit your case. Medical consultations are confidential.
Read more: Urologist in Dubai: doctors, services, insurance and booking
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