How common is difficulty passing urine in kidney stones?

A kidney stone can move from the kidney into the tube that drains urine or nearer the bladder. If it obstructs or irritates part of the urinary tract, urine may be harder to pass and pain can develop in the side, back, lower abdomen, or groin.

Some people notice a weak stream, hesitation, frequent small trips to the toilet, burning, nausea, or blood in the urine. These symptoms can also have causes unrelated to stones, including infection and bladder or prostate conditions, so they need proper assessment.

Contact a clinician for a new change in urine flow, particularly if it is painful or accompanied by blood in the urine. Explain where the pain is, whether it comes in waves, when you last passed a normal amount of urine, and whether you have had stones before.

Use only pain relief that is suitable for you and follow any previous plan you have been given for kidney stones. A clinician may use your symptoms, urine testing, and imaging to look for a stone and check whether urine drainage is affected.

Seek urgent medical care if you cannot pass urine, have fever or chills with urinary pain, are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down, have severe uncontrolled pain, or feel faint or very unwell. A blocked urinary tract with infection needs rapid medical attention.

Get prompt advice if blood in the urine is new, persistent, or accompanied by worsening pain or difficulty passing urine.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest obstruction, what tests can clarify the cause, and what pain relief is appropriate for you. Ask how to monitor urine output and exactly which warning signs should lead you to seek urgent care.