What should I do about urethral stone pain?

Written by Wang Shuai

Urology

Updated on October 30, 2024

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Urethral stones can easily irritate the urethral mucosa, causing urethral pain which intensifies during urination. Some patients may also experience significant urinary obstruction and urinary retention. In such cases, it is crucial to visit the hospital's urology department promptly for examinations such as ultrasonography and CT scans to determine the exact location and size of the stone for appropriate treatment. If the pain is severe, pain relief medication can be used initially before addressing the stone. If the stone is relatively small, drinking plenty of water and frequent urination can help expel the stone from the body. If the stone is large, timely surgical intervention is necessary to break and remove the stone. Only by removing the stone can the root cause of the pain be fundamentally resolved.

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Written by Sun Chun

Urology

1min 53sec

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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

49sec

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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.

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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

1min 17sec

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

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

48sec

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

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.