Does kidney stones cause difficulty passing urine?

A kidney stone usually forms in the kidney and may travel down the ureter, the narrow tube leading to the bladder. As it moves, it may cause pain in the side or back, pain that travels towards the groin, nausea, blood in the urine or an urgent need to urinate. A stone close to the bladder outlet can affect the flow of urine more directly. Similar urinary difficulty can also have other causes, such as an enlarged prostate, infection, constipation or some medicines, so the symptom alone cannot identify its cause.

If the difficulty is new, arrange a medical assessment, especially if you also have flank pain, blood in the urine, burning, fever or repeated vomiting. A clinician may examine you, test a urine sample and decide whether imaging or blood tests are needed. Drink fluids normally unless a clinician has told you to restrict them; forcing large amounts while urine flow is blocked can worsen discomfort. Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s pain medicine.

Seek urgent medical help if you cannot pass urine, are passing only drops with increasing pressure or pain, or have difficulty passing urine with fever, chills, confusion, severe weakness or persistent vomiting. These features can signal significant blockage or infection, which needs prompt treatment. Seek immediate help for severe, rapidly worsening pain or if you feel faint. Do not wait for the stone to pass at home when urine output has stopped.

You could ask: Could a stone be affecting my urine flow? Do I need a urine test or scan? What symptoms would mean I should return urgently? Which pain medicines are suitable for me, and how should I monitor my urine output?