What does it feel like when there is a stone in the lower part of the urethra?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Urethral stones are generally divided into posterior urethral stones and anterior urethral stones, whereas ureteral stones are classified into upper, middle, and lower segments. For posterior or anterior urethral stones, the main symptoms include frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, a feeling of obstruction during urination, and in severe cases, hematuria or even urinary retention may occur. In such cases, timely lithotripsy and stone removal treatment are required. If the stone is in the lower segment of the ureter and pauses at a certain place, the patient often does not feel discomfort or might experience mild obscure pain. If the movement of the stone stimulates the ureter, it can cause pain in the lower abdomen, often accompanied by the presence of blood in the urine. Diagnosis can be confirmed through color ultrasound or CT scan. For stones in the lower segment of the ureter, treatment depends on the specific size of the stone. If the stone is relatively small, conservative stone expulsion treatment can be done; if the stone is large, surgical intervention is recommended as soon as possible.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Is running useful for urethral stones?

If you suffer from urethral stones, running does not have a significant effect. If you have urethral stones, it is recommended to go to the hospital's urology department as soon as possible for a urinary system ultrasound, CT, and other examinations to determine the exact location and size of the stone in the urethra, and then proceed with targeted treatment. If the urethral stone is relatively small, it is advisable to drink more water and urinate frequently, relying on the flushing action of the urine to expel the stone from the body. If the stone is relatively large, it is recommended to have surgery as soon as possible. Running or jumping is generally used for stones in the upper or middle segments of the ureter. In this case, increasing physical activity may cause the stones in the ureter to move into the bladder. If you have urethral stones, vigorous exercise does not have a noticeable effect.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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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
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Urinary stone symptoms in men

The main symptoms of a male suffering from urethral stones are directly related to the size of the stones. If the stones are small, they often pass through urination, flushing out of the urethra without causing any discomfort. However, if the stones are large, they can get stuck in the urethra, causing a blockage during urination and significant pain. Some patients may experience hematuria due to the stones damaging the mucous membrane of the urethra. If the stones are large enough to cause impaction, especially complete obstruction of the urethra, this can lead to urinary retention and significant difficulty in urinating, necessitating prompt visit to the hospital's urology department for lithotripsy treatment.

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Written by Sun Chun
Urology
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How to check for urethral stones

Urethral stone examinations are primarily divided into the following areas: Firstly, the physical examination provided by the clinical doctor which checks for urethral stones can be categorized into anterior and posterior urethral stones. For anterior urethral stones, one can feel a hard nodule inside the urethra with their hand. Combined with specific symptoms, such as sudden stabbing pain during urination or a sudden inability to urinate, and if there is a history of urinary system stones, then urethral stones might be considered. As for posterior urethral stones, they cannot be felt externally; if they are lodged at the prostate, a doctor might insert a finger into the rectum to touch the area around the prostate. If a hard nodule is felt upon pressing, then a posterior urethral stone might be considered. Secondly, a more accurate clinical exam is the plain film radiography of the urinary system, commonly known as X-rays. Generally, most stones contain calcium, and in such cases, the X-ray can reveal a hard nodule in either the posterior or anterior urethra, which can be diagnosed as urethral stones. Thirdly, the urinary system's CT scans can sometimes detect radiolucent stones, such as uric acid stones. It can also identify conditions like kidney hydronephrosis in the bladder and stones in other parts of the urinary system. If all examinations, including auxiliary checks, suggest the presence of urethral stones, treatment depends on the situation. If the anterior urethral stone is not large, stone retrieval may be performed. Posterior urethral stones are generally treated like bladder stones; after pushing them into the bladder using a cystoscope, the stones are broken down either by lithotripsy or laser.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How long does it take to be discharged from the hospital after urethral stone surgery?

The situation depends on the type of surgery. If it is a minimally invasive surgery, such as ureteroscopic or cystoscopic lithotripsy and stone removal, patients generally can be discharged three to five days after surgery. However, if an open surgery like urethrotomy for stone extraction is performed, the urethra suffers some damage and a longer period of catheterization is necessary, generally about two weeks. Therefore, the catheter is usually removed two weeks post-surgery, and after observing the urination situation, the patient may then be discharged. Overall, if it is a minimally invasive surgery for stone removal, the general discharge time is about three to five days. If it is an open surgery, discharge typically occurs over two weeks after the surgery.