You’ve probably heard about kidney stones. But did you know that you can get stones in your bladder too?

Bladder stones (sometimes called bladder calculi) are small clumps of minerals that form in the bladder. Some are small enough to pass on their own. But some are large enough to block the flow of urine. When this happens, you might have pain or trouble urinating.

Let’s look at some common questions and answers about bladder stones, how they form, and what you can do about them.

What is the urinary tract?

Your urinary tract has four distinct parts that work together to remove waste from your body:

• The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter your blood and produce urine
• The bladder is the organ that holds urine.
• The ureters are tubes that connect each kidney to the bladder.
• The urethra is the tube that allows urine to exit your body.

After urine is made by the kidneys, it travels down the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored until you urinate. At that time, it travels from the bladder through the urethra to the outside of your body.

What’s the difference between kidney stones and bladder stones?

The main difference is where they form — in the kidney or in the bladder. However, it’s possible for a kidney stone to travel down to the bladder and grow into a bladder stone.

Bladder stones are more common in men, especially men over age 50.

Who gets bladder stones? How common are they?

Bladder stones are more common in men, especially men over age 50. But anyone can get them.

Bladder stones are much less common than kidney stones. According to the Cleveland Clinic, bladder stones account for just 5% of stones found in the urinary tract.

How do bladder stones form? How big do they become?

Bladder stones form when your bladder doesn’t empty all the way, and urine remains inside. If the urine sits for a while, minerals can stick together and form a stone.

Stones may be made of substances like uric acid, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and cystine. Large stones can be over 2 inches wide. They may have smooth or jagged edges. One kind of stone called a jackstone resembles the jacks in the child’s game.

What causes bladder stones? What are some risk factors?

There are several situations that can lead to bladder stones:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH – an enlarged prostate). The prostate is a small gland in men that makes prostatic fluid, which nourishes sperm cells and helps with ejaculation. Part of the urethra is surrounded by the prostate gland. When a man gets older, his prostate grows larger. For some men, this growth puts pressure on the urethra, almost squeezing it, making urination difficult. Urine may remain in the bladder because it can’t pass through the urethra.

Neurogenic bladder. Conditions like spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis can damage the nerves involved with the release of urine. This is called neurogenic bladder. In these cases, the bladder may not “get the message” to fully empty.

Dehydration. When you’re hydrated, fluids can flush out any minerals in your urine. But if you’re dehydrated, the urine becomes more concentrated, and crystals can form.

Diverticula. These are pockets or pouches that form in the bladder wall. Some people are born with bladder diverticula; others develop them as children or adults. Either way, these pockets can fill with urine.

Bladder augmentation (also called augmentation cystoplasty). In this surgical procedure, part of the intestine is used to make the bladder larger. The intestine and bladder are then sewn together. However, the intestine makes mucus, which can get inside the bladder. Patients are taught to irrigate the mucus. If they don’t, bladder stones can form.

Cystocele. After childbirth, some women develop a cystocele, which means their bladder “drops” into the vagina. This can interfere with urine flow and emptying the bladder.

Medical devices or foreign objects. Sometimes, objects like surgical staples, stents, or balloon fragments from catheters are left behind in the bladder. Mineral crystals can adhere to these objects and form stones.

Kidney stones. It’s possible for a small kidney stone or fragment to travel down to the bladder. Once there, it can develop into a bladder stone.

What are the symptoms of bladder stones?

Some bladder stones are so small, they pass with your urine and don’t cause any symptoms. However, larger stones can irritate the bladder and block urine flow.

Common symptoms of bladder stones include:

• Pain in the lower belly, penis, or testicles
• Pain or a burning sensation when you urinate
• Cloudy or dark urine
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Needing to urinate more often
• Trouble starting urine flow
• Weak urine flow that may stop and start
• Urinary tract infection
• Nausea

What are some complications of bladder stones?

Left untreated, bladder stones can lead to long-term urinary issues, like urine blockage or recurrent pain and discomfort. You might also develop more urinary tract infections.

How are bladder stones diagnosed?

Your doctor will start with a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history. They may gently press your lower belly to see if your bladder is larger than it should be. If you are a man, you might have a rectal exam to check for an enlarged prostate.

You’ll likely undergo some lab and imaging tests as well, such as:

• Urine tests (urinalysis). After you give a urine sample, a lab specialist will check it for blood, minerals, crystals, and any signs of infection, like bacteria.
• Imaging tests. You may have a CT scan, ultrasound, or X-rays so your doctor can get a better view of your bladder. These images may reveal the quantity, size, and shape of bladder stones. (Note: Stones do not always show up in X-rays.)
• Cystoscopy. A small, flexible tube with a light and camera (a cystoscope) is passed through your urethra into your bladder so your doctor can look directly inside.

How are bladder stones treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, how many stones you have, and how big they are.

If you have bladder stones, your treatment will depend on your symptoms, how many stones you have, and how big they are. If your doctor finds that another condition (such as an enlarged prostate) is causing your symptoms, they will discuss ways to address that issue.

If your bladder stones are tiny, they might pass on their own when you urinate. Drinking more water may move this process along. Your doctor might prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anti-nausea drugs to relieve symptoms.

However, if your stones are larger, blocking your urine flow, or causing pain or infections, you’ll need to have them removed. This can happen in a few ways:

Cystolitholapaxy

A cystoscope (the same type of tool used to diagnose stones through cystoscopy) is inserted into your bladder through your urethra. Then a laser or ultrasound device is used to break the stone into small pieces that can be flushed out with fluid. This procedure is done under local or general anesthesia.

Open surgery

If you have large stones, multiple stones, or stones stuck to your bladder wall, you may have open surgery. After you’ve been given anesthesia, your surgeon will make a cut in your abdomen and remove the stone(s) directly. This option is more invasive and requires longer recovery time in the hospital. (Note: If your stones are related to an enlarged prostate, your surgeon may remove excess prostate tissue at this time.)

How can I lower my risk for bladder stones?

Here are some ways you can lower your risk:

Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent crystals and stones from forming in your urine. Your doctor can recommend how much fluid is right for you.

If you have symptoms, see your doctor. Don’t ignore your symptoms. If you’re having pain or finding it difficult to urinate, give your doctor a call. They can give you a full checkup, and you can start treatment, if necessary, before stones or other symptoms become severe.

Your doctor can also check for related conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or enlarged prostate, and recommend treatment.

Use urinary devices exactly as your doctor prescribes. For example, if you use a catheter, make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions. If you have any questions, be sure to ask.

Summary

• Bladder stones can form when urine stays in the bladder too long. Minerals in the urine can settle and harden into stones.
• Many conditions can lead to bladder stones, including an enlarged prostate, neurogenic bladder, past surgery, and dehydration. Sometimes, medical devices play a role.
• Small stones may pass without you knowing.
• Larger stones may cause pain, trouble with urination, infections, or nausea.
• Doctors diagnose stones with urine tests, imaging, and cystoscopy.
• Treatment depends on stone size and cause. If you have a small stone, it might pass on its own. Your doctor might recommend drinking more fluids and taking medicines to help you cope with symptoms.
• Larger stones may be removed through cystolitholapaxy or open surgery.
• Without treatment, bladder stones may lead to recurring pain, urination problems, or more frequent urinary tract infections.
• You might lower your risk for bladder stones by staying well-hydrated, treating urinary problems early, and following your doctor’s instructions.

Resources

Cleveland Clinic

“Augmentation Cystoplasty (Bladder Augmentation)”
(Last reviewed: September 7, 2023)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15846-augmentation-cystoplasty-bladder-augmentation

“Bladder Stones”
(Last reviewed: May 25, 2023)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16312-bladder-stones

“Cystolitholapaxy”
(Last reviewed: September 25, 2023)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/16497-cystolitholapaxy

“Neurogenic bladder”
(Last reviewed: May 12, 2025)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15133-neurogenic-bladder

Mayo Clinic

“Bladder Stones – Diagnosis and Treatment”
(October 30, 2025)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-stones/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354345

“Bladder Stones – Symptoms and Causes”
(October 30, 2025)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20354339

National Library of Medicine (StatPearls)

Leslie, Stephen W.; Sajjad, Hussain; and Murphy, Patrick B.
“Bladder Stones”
(Last update: March 27, 2025)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441944/

Urology Care Foundation

“What is a Bladder Diverticulum?”
(Updated November 2024)
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/b/bladder-diverticulum

“What is Cystoscopy?”
(Updated November 2024)
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/c/cystoscopy