How are prostate stones formed?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 06, 2024
00:00
00:00

The formation of prostate stones is mainly due to prostatic calcification. Prostatic calcification generally occurs after an individual has suffered from prostatitis. During the healing process of prostatitis, fibrosis and calcium deposits occur in the local prostatic tissue forming calcification foci, which gradually develop into stones. In some patients, stones form gradually due to the blockage of the prostatic ducts. Many patients with prostate stones do not experience discomfort, and for those without symptoms, special treatment may not be necessary. However, some patients may experience symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and incomplete voiding due to the presence of prostate stones. For such cases, local physiotherapy and warm sitz baths can be used to alleviate the symptoms.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Chun
Urology
59sec home-news-image

Do prostate stones need treatment?

Prostate stones do not require treatment. Prostate stones refer to a hard or slightly black and hard substance similar to stones found inside the prostate gland during surgery. If a stone analysis is conducted, it indeed contains calcium. Generally, the formation of prostate stones may be due to previous episodes of prostatitis. After an episode of prostatitis, there may be some calcification and deposits of calcium in the prostate, and over time, an accumulation of calcium in this area may form a small stone. Additionally, the prostate is a gland that has a secretory function, and in such cases, some impurities may accumulate inside it and eventually could also become a stone. Generally, prostate stones are not very large, and usually, they do not cause any clinical symptoms. If prostate stones are only discovered during a physical examination and are very small with no clinical symptoms, then no special treatment is required, and observation is sufficient.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
50sec home-news-image

Is drinking water effective for prostate stones?

Patients with prostate stones drinking more water will not achieve the purpose of treatment because the texture of the prostate is relatively dense and the ducts of the prostate are fine. It is difficult for the stones to be expelled through the prostate ducts, and drinking more water will not have a significant effect on the treatment of prostate stones. If a patient has prostate stones without any discomfort, there may be no need for special treatment. However, if prostate stones cause repeated prostate inflammations, timely use of antibiotics to control the infection is advisable. If the presence of prostate stones repeatedly causes prostate inflammation, or even prostate pain, and significantly affects the patient's life and work, surgery to remove the stones may be considered. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Yuan Wei
Urology
47sec home-news-image

Can prostate stones be expelled?

Prostatic calculi generally involve two aspects of diagnosis. One part is called prostatic urethral or urethral prostatic calculi, which can be simply understood as urethral calculi located in the prostatic region. The second type is calculi inside the prostate, commonly referred to as prostatic calcification. These are most commonly seen during prostatitis and while taking medications. Typically, these calculi are asymptomatic and do not require special treatment. However, the second type, which are the calculi in the prostatic urethra (urethral calculi located in the prostatic part), usually affect urination and require removal through minimally invasive surgery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jian
Urology
50sec home-news-image

Can prostate stones be removed?

Prostate stones are typically very small and do not cause any discomfort to the patient. However, if accompanied by conditions such as prostate enlargement or prostatitis, urinary abnormalities such as frequent urination, urgency, terminal hematuria, and difficulty urinating may occur. In the usual treatment of prostate stones, if symptoms are present, they are mostly caused by prostatitis. Treating the prostatitis is sufficient, and it is not necessary to remove the stones. However, if the prostate stones are very large, traditional open surgery, which involves the removal of prostate stones through the urethra, can be used. This is generally suitable for younger patients. It is often difficult to remove prostate stones, but a similar effect can generally be achieved through minimally invasive surgery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jian
Urology
56sec home-news-image

How to deal with prostate stones?

Smaller prostate stones generally do not impact the human body and do not cause noticeable symptoms. However, if prostate stones are accompanied by prostatitis and prostate enlargement, they can lead to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, incomplete urination, painful urination, difficulty urinating, and waiting for urination. For these symptoms, symptomatic treatment is sufficient, following the treatment methods for prostatitis and prostate enlargement. If prostate stones are large enough to affect urination, causing difficulty in urination or even urinary retention; if large prostate stones protrude into the bladder causing difficulty in urination, then surgery is required to treat this condition. The surgery generally involves minimally invasive transurethral prostate stone surgery or open surgery.