How Does a Ureteral Kidney Stone Pass?

If a kidney stone becomes stuck in the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, whether it passes depends on several factors, including the stone's size and location and the person's overall condition:

“Stones with a diameter of less than 5 millimeters often pass with the urine stream within a few days to a few weeks.” The larger the stone is, or the higher it is lodged in the ureter, the lower the chance of spontaneous passage. Keep reading as we explain in more detail how a kidney stone passes through the ureter.

Natural passage of a ureteral stone is a complex process that happens through urine flow, automatic contractions of the ureter, and sometimes with the help of medication:

• The ureter works like a pump and, through wave-like contractions called peristalsis (Peristalsis), gradually pushes the stone downward toward the bladder.

• Increasing fluid intake raises urine volume and increases the pressure applied to the stone, which can help it move.

• In some cases, a urologist prescribes medications to relax the muscles of the ureter, such as tamsulosin (Tamsulosin), so the stone can pass more easily.

Passing a stone may be accompanied by severe pain in the flank and groin and “the time it takes to pass is different for each person.”

If the ureteral stone is large or causes complete blockage of the urine pathway with severe, persistent pain, spontaneous passage is unlikely. In this situation, the doctor may recommend other treatments such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or intracorporeal surgery/lithotripsy (TUL) . In these methods, the stone is broken into pieces or removed completely using specialized instruments.

Therefore, if you experience severe and persistent pain, or symptoms such as fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, or a severe decrease or complete stop in urine flow, see a urologist immediately, because you may have urinary obstruction or an infection.