Female Kidney Stone Symptoms
Approximately 5 percent of women will develop at least one kidney stone before reaching age 70, according to health officials at UpToDate, a peer-reviewed medical information website for patients 1. Kidney stones are small, rock-like masses composed of excess minerals within the urine 2. Females who develop kidney stone symptoms should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.
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 123. 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.
- The kidneys are located on either side of the lower back and serve to remove toxins from the body in the form of 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
Collapsed Bladder Symptoms
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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 2. 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 2. 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.
- As a kidney stone passes through the narrow urinary tract, it can damage the delicate lining of these thin tubes.
- 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 12. 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.
Flu-like Symptoms or Stomach Upset
Symptoms of an Infected Prostate
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Kidney stones within the urinary tract can cause a woman to develop a kidney infection 2. If this occurs, female patients with kidney stones can develop flu-like symptoms as a sign of a kidney stone 23. These flu-like symptoms can include fever, chills or sweating, reports the Better Health Channel, an informational health resource provided by the Australian Government 4. Certain women can also experience stomach upset symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting, due to severe back or abdominal pain, explains MayoClinic.com 3. Women who develop any of these kidney stone symptoms should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Related Articles
References
- UpToDate: Kidney Stones in Adults
- MedlinePlus: Kidney Stones
- MayoClinic.com: Kidney Stones - Symptoms
- Better Health Channel: Kidney Stones
- National Institutes of Health. Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Kidney Stones. Updated May 2017.
- Cereda M, Kennedy S. Cereda M, Kennedy S Cereda, Maurizio, and Sean Kennedy.Chapter 61. Anesthetic Considerations for Genitourinary and Renal Surgery. In: Longnecker DE, Brown DL, Newman MF, Zapol WM. Longnecker D.E., Brown D.L., Newman M.F., Zapol W.M. Eds. David E. Longnecker, et al., eds. Anesthesiology, 2e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
- Hwang JQ, Poffenberger C. Hwang J.Q., Poffenberger C Hwang, James Q., and Cori McClure Poffenberger.Chapter 10. Renal and Urinary System Ultrasound. In: Carmody KA, Moore CL, Feller-Kopman D. Carmody K.A., Moore C.L., Feller-Kopman D Eds. Kristin A. Carmody, et al., eds. Handbook of Critical Care and Emergency Ultrasound. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011.
Writer Bio
Rae Uddin has worked as a freelance writer and editor since 2004. She specializes in scientific journalism and medical and technical writing. Her work has appeared in various online publications. Uddin earned her Master of Science in integrated biomedical sciences with an emphasis in molecular and cellular biochemistry from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.