Cambridge Urology Partnership

Kidney, Bladder & Ureters

Bladder stones

Bladder stones are hard lumps of minerals that form when you can’t empty your bladder fully. Often caused by an enlarged prostate, they can lead to pain, infections, and blood in your pee. Treating the cause is key to staying stone-free.

Key Takeaways

  • Bladder stones are hard lumps of minerals that form when you can’t empty your bladder fully. Often caused by an enlarged prostate, they can lead to pain, infections, and blood in your pee. Treating the cause is key to staying stone-free.
  • We offer specialist diagnostics and treatments. Book a consultation to discuss your options.

Clinical Overview

Understanding Bladder stones

Bladder stones are clusters of minerals that crystallise in the bladder when your urine becomes very concentrated. This typically happens when the bladder doesn't empty all the way, allowing "old" urine to sit and form solid masses. It is important to know that bladder stones are different from kidney stones; while kidney stones form in the kidneys, bladder stones are almost always a sign of an underlying problem with how you pass urine.

The most common cause in the UK remains an enlarged prostate (BPH), which physically blocks the exit of the bladder, like a kink in a hose. Other causes include "neurogenic bladder" (where nerve damage from a stroke or spinal injury prevents the bladder from squeezing properly) and bladder diverticula (small pouches in the bladder wall where urine can pool and stagnate).

While some very small stones can be passed naturally by drinking plenty of water, most require a small procedure to break them up.

What to Look For

Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors

Recognising early signs and understanding the underlying causes of your condition is the first step toward recovery. This guide outlines common symptoms, when to seek specialist advice, and the factors that may influence your health.

01

Common Symptoms

  • Pain or pressure in your lower tummy (abdomen).

  • In men, pain or discomfort in the penis or testicles.

  • A burning sensation or pain when you pee (dysuria).

  • Needing to pee much more often, especially during the night (nocturia).

  • Difficulty starting the flow, or a stream that suddenly stops and starts.

  • Cloudy or dark-coloured urine.

  • Blood in your urine (haematuria), often noticed after physical activity.

02

When to Seek Help

  • Acute Urinary Retention: Suddenly being completely unable to pee. This is a medical emergency.

  • Severe Pain: Sharp, intense pain in your lower tummy that doesn't go away.

  • Infection Signs: A high fever, chills, and cloudy urine (this suggests a kidney or bladder infection).

  • Visible Blood: Seeing red or pink blood in your pee.

  • Repeated UTIs: If you keep getting urine infections even after taking antibiotics.

03

Potential Causes

  • Prostate Enlargement (BPH): The most common cause in men; the growing gland squeezes the urethra.

  • Nerve Damage: Conditions like Parkinson’s, a stroke, or spinal injuries that stop the bladder from "knowing" when to empty.

  • Bladder Pouches: Small "pockets" (diverticula) in the bladder wall that trap urine.

  • Chronic Inflammation: Long-term irritation from infections or past radiotherapy.

  • Medical Devices: Minerals can sometimes form around the tip of a long-term urinary catheter.

  • Kidney Stones: Occasionally, a small stone travels from the kidney to the bladder and grows larger while sitting there.

04

Risk Factors

  • Are a man over 50: This is the primary risk group due to the high prevalence of prostate issues.

  • Are Dehydrated: If you don't drink enough, your urine becomes more concentrated, making it easier for crystals to form.

  • Have a Spinal Injury: Paralysis or nerve issues often mean the bladder cannot empty naturally.

  • Have had Bladder Surgery: Past surgeries can sometimes create areas where urine pools.

  • Get Frequent UTIs: Bacteria can sometimes act as a "seed" for minerals to stick to.

Importance of Diagnosis

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Bladder stones are a physical "red flag" that your bladder isn't working as it should. 

If left untreated, stones can cause constant inflammation of the bladder wall. In serious cases, a large stone can act like a "plug," blocking the entire urinary tract. This causes urine to back up toward the kidneys, which can lead to permanent kidney damage if not treated quickly.

Importance of Diagnosis

Diagnostic Options & Investigations

To accurately identify the cause of your symptoms, our specialists use a range of targeted investigations. Explore the diagnostic tests below to understand how we confirm a diagnosis and plan your recovery.

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Living With Condition

Living With Bladder stones

  • Cystolitholapaxy
  • Open Surgery
  • High Volume Hydration
  • BPH Surgery (TURP/HoLEP
  • Intermittent Self-Catheterisation

Managing bladder stones involves focusing on "complete emptying." One helpful technique is 'double voiding'—this is where you pee as normal, wait about 20 to 30 seconds, and then try to pee again. This helps ensure that any "leftover" urine is cleared out.

Drinking enough fluid is your most powerful tool for prevention. Aim for 2 to 3 litres of water a day (unless your doctor has told you otherwise). This keeps your urine diluted and light in colour, making it much harder for minerals to clump together and form new stones.

After you have had stones removed, your urology team might suggest an annual ultrasound scan to make sure your bladder stays clear. If your stones were caused by an enlarged prostate, the best way to live stone-free may be to treat the prostate issue (through medication or a procedure like HoLEP or Rezum) to ensure a strong, healthy flow.

Short-Term Complications

04
  • Urinary Blockage: A stone suddenly moving and blocking your flow.
  • Bladder Spasms: Painful "cramping" as the bladder tries to squeeze against the stone.
  • Infections: Bacteria thrive in the stagnant urine trapped by the stones.
  • Visible Blood: The stone "scratching" the bladder lining, causing bleeding.

Long-Term Complications

04
  • Chronic Bladder Failure: The bladder muscle becomes overstretched and eventually loses the ability to squeeze.
  • Kidney Scarring: Repeated infections and back-pressure can damage the kidneys.
  • Thickened Bladder Wall: The bladder becomes less "stretchy," meaning it holds less urine and you have to go more often.
  • Rare Cancers: Very long-term, chronic irritation from stones is a minor risk factor for certain types of bladder cancer.

Treatment Options

Treatment Options & Care Pathways

Explore the specialist interventions available for Bladder stones. We offer a range of evidence-based treatments designed to address your specific symptoms, focusing on long-term recovery and your personal health goals.

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Specialists

Our specialists for Bladder stones

Leading experts for this condition. View profiles to see clinical backgrounds and current availability.

Our Commitment

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Patient Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about specialist referrals and consultations.

3 questions

If the stone is very small (usually under 4-5mm), it is possible to flush it out with high fluid intake. However, bladder stones form specifically because the bladder isn't emptying properly. If there is a blockage like an enlarged prostate, drinking more water may just cause more bladder discomfort without successfully passing the stone. Most patients require a minor procedure to break the stone up.

Reviewed 2 Mar 2026

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While both are made of minerals, they have different 'backstories.' Kidney stones form in the kidneys due to diet, genetics, or dehydration and then travel down. Bladder stones usually form *inside* the bladder because urine is trapped there and can't get out. You can have kidney stones without having a bladder problem, but bladder stones almost always mean your bladder isn't emptying correctly.

Reviewed 2 Mar 2026

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They will likely return if the underlying cause isn't fixed. For example, if an enlarged prostate caused the stones, removing the stones but leaving the prostate alone means urine will continue to sit in the bladder and form new stones. To prevent recurrence, we often combine stone removal with a procedure to open the urinary channel, such as a TURP or HoLEP.

Reviewed 2 Mar 2026

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