Bladder Stones

24 February 2026

Bladder stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the bladder. They often develop when the bladder does not empty fully, allowing urine to become concentrated and minerals to crystallise. Some bladder stones cause no symptoms, but others can irritate the bladder lining or block urine flow, leading to pain, urinary symptoms, and sometimes infection.

At the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we provide consultant-led assessment to confirm the cause of symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Types of Bladder Stones

Bladder stones can vary in size and number:

Single stone or multiple stones
Small stones that may pass naturally (less common from the bladder)
Larger stones that usually require treatment

Bladder stones are different from kidney stones, although stones can sometimes travel down from the kidney into the bladder and grow there.

Common Causes of Bladder Stones

Bladder stones typically form due to urinary stasis (urine sitting in the bladder). Common causes include:

Bladder outlet obstruction (often due to an enlarged prostate in men)
Neurogenic bladder (bladder emptying problems due to nerve conditions)
Long-term catheter use
Bladder diverticula (pouches where urine can collect)
Urinary tract infections (can contribute in some cases)
Previous bladder surgery or foreign material in the bladder (rare)
Dehydration and concentrated urine (can increase risk)

Identifying the underlying cause is important to reduce recurrence.

Symptoms of Bladder Stones

Symptoms may include:

Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
Pain when passing urine (dysuria)
Frequent urination or urgency
Needing to pass urine more often at night
Interrupted urine flow (start-stop stream)
Difficulty passing urine or feeling the bladder does not empty fully
Blood in the urine
Cloudy or unusually strong-smelling urine
Recurrent urinary tract infections
In some cases, urinary retention (inability to pass urine)

Diagnosis at Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital

Your consultant will assess symptoms and potential causes. Diagnosis may include:

History and examination (including prostate assessment where relevant)
Urine tests (infection and blood)
Blood tests (kidney function in selected cases)
Imaging to detect stones, such as:
- Ultrasound
- X-ray (some stones show clearly)
- CT scan in selected cases for detailed assessment
Cystoscopy (a small camera passed into the bladder) may be used to confirm stones and assess the bladder and outlet

Treatment & Management

Treatment depends on stone size, symptoms, and the underlying cause.

Conservative management (selected cases)

Small stones may occasionally pass, but this is less common with bladder stones than kidney stones. Your consultant may recommend:

Increasing fluid intake
Treating infection if present
Addressing contributing factors (e.g., improving bladder emptying)

Stone removal procedures

Most symptomatic bladder stones require removal. Options can include:

Cystolitholapaxy (endoscopic stone fragmentation/removal)
A scope is passed into the bladder and the stone is broken up and removed. This is a common approach.
Open or laparoscopic removal
Considered for very large stones or when combined surgery is needed for an underlying cause.

Treating the cause to prevent recurrence

Your plan may also include treating issues that cause poor bladder emptying, such as:

Enlarged prostate treatment pathways (where appropriate)
Managing neurogenic bladder or catheter-related risk
Addressing bladder diverticula or other structural issues

Recovery and aftercare

Recovery depends on the procedure. After endoscopic removal:

You may have a short period of burning or frequency when passing urine
Temporary blood in urine can occur
Antibiotics may be given if infection risk is present
Follow-up focuses on preventing recurrence by addressing the underlying cause

Your consultant will provide clear aftercare guidance and follow-up arrangements.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent medical advice if you experience:

Inability to pass urine (urinary retention)
Fever, chills, or feeling very unwell (possible infection)
Severe pain in the lower abdomen
Heavy bleeding in urine or blood clots
Worsening symptoms with nausea/vomiting or dehydration

If you have urinary pain, frequent urination, blood in the urine, or recurrent urine infections, contact Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital for assessment and treatment planning. There is no need to be registered with the hospital, or live locally.

If you have insurance which covers consultations, we can in most cases invoice the insurer directly. Where you are paying directly, any costs will always be discussed.

Aaron