Symptoms of a kidney stone in women
kidney stone symptoms in women are usually very similar to, or the same as, kidney stone symptoms in men. Pain, problems urinating, and flu-like symptoms are the most common symptoms. Because they are very similar to the symptoms experienced before a woman’s menstrual cycle, these may be ignored at times.
Pain is one of the most common kidney stone symptoms in women. It often starts out as a mild to moderate cramping, usually located in a woman’s side or lower back. This area is roughly where the kidney is located.
As the kidney stone moves down the urinary tract, the pain may worsen, becoming sharper and more intense. It will also usually be felt in the lower region of the abdomen, or in the pelvic or groin area. Pain while urinating is another kidney stone symptom in women.
Additionally, other problems with urination are also kidney stone symptoms. Frequently feeling the need to urinate is another common symptom. Women with kidney stones who feel this usually do not actually have to urinate. This sensation occurs when the kidney stone passes into the duct that carries urine outside of the body, known as the ureter. When the stone pushes on the walls of this duct, a person may feel like she needs to urinate.
Symptoms of a kidney stone in women
What are Symptoms of a kidney stone in women
Pain
The kidneys are located on either side of the lower back and serve to remove toxins from the body in the form of urine. Kidney stones within the urinary tract can cause sensations of pain within the lower back in females with this condition, explains MayoClinic.com. Back pain sensations can be severe and may radiate into the lower abdomen or pelvic region. Pain can occur suddenly and may persist for several hours or days until the kidney stone passes out of the body within the urine. Women who experience sudden or severe back or abdominal pain should seek medical care immediately as these kidney stone symptoms can also be signs of alternate medical problems.
Blood in the Urine
As a kidney stone passes through the narrow urinary tract, it can damage the delicate lining of these thin tubes. When this occurs, women with kidney stones can develop hematuria as a symptom of this condition. Hematuria is characterized by the presence of blood within the urine, reports MedlinePlus, a health information website established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Blood within the urine can cause it to appear discolored or cloudy. Women who develop urine discoloration should seek additional medical care as this symptom can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection.
Urinary Urgency
Urinary urgency can occur as a symptom of kidney stones in women, explains the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. When the kidney stone nears the bladder, women may feel an urgent need to urinate that is accompanied by burning or pain upon urination. These symptoms can also be indicative of a urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted disease and should be discussed with a doctor immediately.
Common Symptoms of a kidney stone in women
Lower Back Pain
The pain caused by kidney stones can be mild or severe, depending on their size. The small kidney stones can produce mild cramping pain in the lower abdomen and the back, which many women may confuse with the pain that they experience during menstruation. On the other hand, the large stones can cause blockage of the ureter, which in turn can result in muscle spasms, and dilation of the ureter and the renal pelvis. This can manifest in a type of sudden cramping pain in the lower abdomen and the groin area, that comes in waves. It is known as renal colic, and many women compare it with the pain of childbirth.
Painful Urination
This symptom occurs when a kidney stone gets stuck in the ureter, and blocks the passage of urine either partially or completely. Along with pain, one can also experience a burning sensation while trying to pass urine.
Frequent Urge to Urinate
Like painful urination, this symptom is also produced when the stone gets lodged inside the ureter, and pushes against the wall of the ureter.
Other Symptoms of a kidney stone in women
Bloody or Cloudy Urine
Presence of blood in urine (hematuria) can indicate an infection caused by kidney stones. Blood can also be present, when the stone becomes lodged in the urinary tract, especially inside the ureter and cuts the lining of the ureter. Some people having kidney stones can pass cloudy urine having a foul smell, which can be a symptom of kidney infection and/or a blocked ureter.
Fever
As mentioned above, kidney stones can cause infection at times, in which case, one can experience fever as well. The fever can be accompanied by chills. Infection usually results when a kidney stone blocks the passage of urine, or causes irritation in the urinary tract.
Nausea and Vomiting
Passing a kidney stone can be very painful, due to which one can get nausea and vomiting. Likewise, presence of an infection and fever, and the associated weakness can produce such symptoms.