Bladder stones are hardened clumps of minerals that form in the bladder. They may pass on their own, or you may need a procedure to remove them. Untreated, bladder stones can lead to urinary tract infections and trouble urinating.
Bladder stones form when minerals in urine (pee) crystalize and clump together in the bladder. The medical term for bladder stones is bladder calculi. Bladder stones generally develop when some urine stays in the bladder after you pee. Without treatment, stones can cause infections, bleeding and long-term problems in the urinary tract.
Some bladder stones pass out of the body with urine and don’t cause any symptoms. Large bladder stones can irritate the bladder and cause severe pain, bleeding, and problems urinating. Signs and symptoms include:
Bladder stones form when urine sits in the bladder too long. The bladder is part of the body’s urinary system. When urine stays too long in the bladder, it becomes concentrated. Minerals in the urine harden and form crystals that clump together.
This process happens when you aren’t able to empty the bladder completely. Several conditions and factors increase the risk of bladder stones, including:
Your provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. To diagnose bladder stones, your provider may order:
