Do women feel anything when passing kidney stones?
Sep 01, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Jianlong
Introduction
In general, if the stone is relatively small, women may pass it asymptomatically. However, if the stone is larger, women may experience symptoms during stone passage—such as flank or abdominal pain, gross hematuria, and a burning sensation during urination—though this discomfort is typically mild. Concurrently, urinary frequency, urgency, and other urinary tract irritation symptoms subside, and the individual may perceive the passage of a foreign body.
Urolithiasis (urinary stones) is a relatively common condition. Many individuals experience stone formation in daily life, with kidney stones being the most prevalent type. Kidney stones can affect both men and women across all age groups. In women, the passage of stones may be accompanied by noticeable symptoms if the stones are relatively large; however, smaller stones often pass asymptomatically. So, do women feel anything when passing urinary stones? The following section addresses this question.
Do women feel anything when passing urinary stones?
Generally speaking, small stones typically pass without causing any noticeable symptoms in women. Larger stones, however, may produce discernible sensations—such as flank or abdominal pain, gross hematuria (visible blood in urine), and a burning sensation during urination—though these symptoms are usually mild. Additional signs may include resolution of urinary frequency, urgency, or other lower urinary tract irritative symptoms; a subjective sensation of foreign-body expulsion; and sudden improvement in urinary flow. It is crucial for patients to adhere strictly to prescribed medications to ensure complete stone clearance. In daily life, maintaining adequate hydration, consuming a light and balanced diet, and cultivating healthy lifestyle habits are strongly recommended. Furthermore, follow-up renal and urinary tract ultrasound examinations are advised to assess whether residual stones remain at the original site.
Knowledge Expansion: Causes of Urinary Stone Formation
1. Inadequate fluid intake
Insufficient water consumption leads to concentrated urine, allowing salts, minerals, and other solutes to aggregate and crystallize into stones—the most common cause of kidney stones. Higher urine concentration correlates directly with increased stone risk. Moreover, chronic consumption of sugary beverages elevates urinary calcium, oxalate, and acidity levels; the concurrent presence of these three factors significantly heightens the risk of stone formation.
2. Dietary factors
Diet plays a critical role in stone development. Excessive intake of foods rich in minerals and oxalates—such as organ meats and spinach—predisposes individuals to urolithiasis. Increasing daily fluid intake is therefore highly recommended. Additionally, chronic sleep deprivation impairs renal detoxification, promoting accumulation of metabolic waste—including uric acid and purines—in the kidneys. Prolonged exposure to such conditions may ultimately precipitate renal stone formation.
3. Pathological factors
Certain medical conditions—including gout and hyperparathyroidism—predispose individuals to kidney stone formation. Men aged 30–50 years exhibit the highest incidence of nephrolithiasis. Other significant risk factors include a family history of kidney stones, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), congenital urinary tract anomalies, hyperparathyroidism, and Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, common genitourinary infections—such as urethritis, cystitis, and ureteritis—can compromise renal health and contribute to stone development.
The above provides an overview of whether women experience symptoms during urinary stone passage. We hope this information proves helpful.
