Yes, Women Can Get Kidney Stones, Too

Many people think kidney stones are predominantly a “male” problem, but women can — and do — develop kidney stones, too. In fact, though about 11% of men will have a kidney stone during their lifetimes, women are close behind at 9%, according to the National Kidney Foundation. 

As a leading nephrology practice in Dearborn, Michigan, Nephrocare MD LLC, offers comprehensive, state-of-of-the-art treatments for kidney stones in women as well as men. In this post, Chadi Saad, MD, and his team discuss how kidney stones happen and what treatments can help relieve those painful symptoms.

Women and kidney stones 

Kidney stones are hard concretions that form inside your kidneys. Composed of minerals or salts, kidney stones can be as small as a tiny grain of sand to as large as a pearl or pebble. Not surprisingly, larger stones are associated with more severe pain and other symptoms.

Kidney stones cause symptoms when they interfere with urination, typically by becoming lodged in the tubes (ureters) that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Depending on the size of the stone, its location, and other factors, you can have symptoms like:

• Sharp pain in the lower back or side
• Pain radiating into the groin or lower belly
• Pain when urinating
• Difficulty urinating
• Urine that looks pink, brown, or cloudy
• Urine that smells foul
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever

Sometimes, pain comes in waves or shifts location as the stone changes position.

Though women traditionally have had slightly lower rates of kidney stones compared with men, recent research shows the prevalence of kidney stones may be increasing in women, in part because of rising rates of obesity. Knowing the symptoms of kidney stones can help you get treatment as soon as possible to prevent complications.

Treating kidney stones

If you have a kidney stone, it’s important to have it treated as soon as possible. Delaying treatment could lead to complications, including serious kidney infections.

Before recommending a treatment, Dr. Saad uses diagnostic imaging to evaluate the size and location of the kidney stone. He also takes a urine sample for lab analysis and reviews your symptoms and your past history of kidney stones or other kidney issues.

If your stone is very small, drinking lots of fluid may be all it takes to move the stone so that it passes out in your urine. Dr. Saad may prescribe medication to help you stay comfortable until the stone passes.

Larger stones may be treated using shockwave therapy to break up the stone into tiny fragments, so you can pass it naturally. For very large stones, you might need a minimally invasive procedure to remove the stone, instead.

Find relief for your kidney stone

Bottom line: Kidney stones don’t care what gender you are. They can affect men and women, and even kids and teens. If you think you have a kidney stone, don’t delay care. Call 313-960-6605, or book an appointment online with our Nephrocare MD LLC team today.