What should I do about the stabbing pain from a urethral stone?

Written by Wang Shuai

Urology

Updated on September 18, 2024

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Urethral stones can cause urethral pain, painful urination, and even a feeling of urinary blockage, with severe cases leading to urinary retention. For urethral pain caused by stones, it is first necessary to examine the specific size and location of the stone within the urethra. If it is a small stone in the anterior urethra, it is advised to drink more water and urinate frequently to flush the stone out of the body with the flow of urine. If the stone is large and becomes lodged in the urethra, or even completely blocks the passage, causing urinary retention, it is recommended to undergo surgery as soon as possible. The stone should be crushed and expelled from the body, with a catheter left in place after surgery. The patient can usually be discharged from the hospital within three to five days.

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Written by Wang Jian

Urology

59sec

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What should I do if I have hematuria due to urethral stones?

For urethral stones, if hematuria occurs, the size of the urethral stones should be first considered. Generally, urethral stones are caused by kidney stones or ureter stones that move to and become lodged in the urethra, with the main symptoms being blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, and even urinary retention. If the urethral stone is relatively small, exercising more and drinking more water usually can help in expelling the stones out of the body; this generally applies to stones smaller than four millimeters. If the stone is larger and cannot be expelled, it is recommended to undergo cystoscopy to push the stone back into the bladder to be broken up and removed, or to directly remove the stone through the urethra. Additionally, if the stone is very close to the external opening of the urethra, it can also be removed using hemostatic forceps to clamp out the urethral stone.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang

Urology

51sec

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What can you eat with urethral stones?

It is recommended that patients eat more diuretic foods and fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches, oranges, and especially watermelon, which can produce a large amount of urine, flush the urethra, and possibly carry out small stones. Also, it is important to drink plenty of water every day, more than two liters, especially before going to bed—at least 500 milliliters—so that the urine volume is greater the next morning, making it easier to flush out the stones. Furthermore, patients are advised not to eat spicy and irritating foods, not to drink alcohol, especially strong spirits, and not to eat seafood, as urinary stones can easily lead to symptoms of urinary infection, and consuming these spicy and irritating foods can worsen the symptoms of infection.

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Written by Wang Shuai

Urology

51sec

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Can urethral stones be broken up?

Urethral stones can be treated with lithotripsy, but it is necessary to understand the specific location and size of the stones. If the urethral stones are relatively small, there is no need for lithotripsy. By drinking more water and urinating frequently, most patients can expel the stones out of the body through the flushing action of urine. Lithotripsy is only considered when the stones are relatively large and become lodged in the urethra, causing urinary retention and other issues. The common methods used include the use of urethroscopes and cystoscopes, and the stones are crushed under a holmium laser. This procedure requires anesthesia and is considered minimally invasive surgery with relatively small trauma and quick recovery. Generally, patients can be discharged from the hospital three to five days after surgery.

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Written by Wang Shuai

Urology

54sec

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Can urethral stones cause urgent urination?

Urethral stones can cause symptoms of urinary urgency because the stones stimulate the urethra, causing urgency. In addition to urgency, symptoms include frequent urination and painful urination, and in severe cases, blood in the urine may occur. If the stone is relatively large, it can block the urethra, leading to symptoms of urinary retention. If suffering from urethral stones, it is necessary to go to the hospital's urology department for ultrasound and CT scans of the urinary system to understand the specific size and location of the stones in the urethra, and to carry out targeted treatment. If the stones are small, they can be expelled from the body by drinking more water and urinating frequently, relying on the flushing action of the urine. If the stones are large, it is recommended to undergo surgery as soon as possible.

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Written by Wang Jian

Urology

53sec

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What to eat for urethral stones?

The treatment of urethral stones depends on the size of the stone. If the stone is very small, it can be expelled from the body through increased physical activity and water consumption; generally, stones less than 0.4cm can be expelled. Larger stones may become lodged in the urethra, causing difficulty urinating or even urine retention. A urethral probe can be used to push the stone into the bladder, where it can then be broken up using surgery or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and subsequently expelled from the body. If the urethral stone is very close to the urinary opening, it can also be directly removed with hemostatic forceps. Therefore, the dietary considerations for someone with a urethral stone depend primarily on the size and position of the stone, with most requiring repositioning into the bladder or surgery.