Kidney Stones Symptoms in Men: Risks, Why Symptoms May Vary, & When to See A Doctor

Kidney stones can cause multiple symptoms in men. These symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on how big the stone is and where it is exactly in the urinary tract. Usually, people start to feel symptoms when the kidney stone moves from the kidney to the ureter or blocks the flow of urine, which can irritate surrounding tissues and trigger noticeable discomfort.

Kidney stones happen when there is too much calcium, oxalate or uric acid in the urine, which over time forms crystals. Kidney stones occur unknowingly, and people usually start to feel the symptoms when the stone affects the urinary system.

According to medical professionals, understanding and recognising the symptoms is the best strategy to figure out if there is a problem that needs an expert’s evaluation. 

Symptoms of Kidney Stones in Men

1. Sudden Pain in the Lower Back or Side

One of the most common symptoms of kidney stones in men is a sharp pain in the lower back or side. This pain is often referred to as the flank pain.

Flank pain occurs when a kidney stone moves from the kidney into the ureter. The ureter is a tube that carries urine to the bladder. Even a small kidney stone can cause pressure and irritation in the ureter. Some key aspects about this pain are:

• It can start suddenly

• It can be very severe

• The pain can come and go

• Pain that changes location as the stone moves

• Sometimes the pain can spread to the abdomen or groin area

2. Pain That Radiates to the Groin or Testicular Area

In many men, kidney stone pain can sometimes move from the back to the groin or testicles. This happens because the nerves that supply the kidney and ureter are connected to the nerves in the abdomen and reproductive area.

Dr Vishal reported that some men may think they have pulled a muscle or have a problem with their health. Doctors say that the pain from kidney stones often moves around as the stone moves through the tract.

3. Changes in Urine Appearance

According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney stones can sometimes irritate the lining of the urinary tract, which can cause changes in the way urine looks. Men may notice that their urine is:

• Pink, reddish, or brownish

• Cloudy

Sometimes blood is not visible, but it can still be found with a laboratory test.

These changes occur because the kidney stone can scratch or inflame the lining of the tract, the same research paper states.

4. Burning Sensation During Urination

Some men may also feel pain or a burning sensation when they urinate. This can happen if the kidney stone is close to the bladder. The symptoms can be similar to those of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), which is why medical assessment may be necessary to determine the exact cause.

5. Frequent Urge to Urinate

Kidney stones can cause men to urinate often. This can happen during the following situations:

• The kidney stone is in the ureter

• The bladder is irritated

• The flow of urine is blocked

The American Urological Association reports that men may feel like they need to urinate often, even if they do not pass much urine, or not at all.

6. Nausea and Vomiting

According to Stat Pearls, severe kidney stone pain can also lead to nausea or vomiting. This happens because the kidneys are connected to the digestive system.

When intense pain signals are transmitted, they may stimulate nausea responses. These symptoms may appear alongside episodes of severe pain.

7. Fever or Chills in Some Cases

Although not always present, fever or chills may occur if a kidney stone is accompanied by an infection in the urinary tract. Dr Vishal recommends that men should see a doctor if they have a fever, vomiting or severe pain.

Why Symptoms May Vary Among Men

The symptoms of kidney stones can be different for each man. Factors that influence symptoms include:

• Size of the stone

• Degree of obstruction

• Individual pain sensitivity

Some small kidney stones may not cause many symptoms, while the bigger ones can cause a lot of discomfort.

Risk Factors That May Contribute to Kidney Stone Formation

While symptoms appear later, several underlying factors may increase the likelihood of kidney stone formation. 

Dr Vishal says that not drinking enough water is one of the most common reasons. When men do not drink enough water, their urine becomes more concentrated, which can cause minerals to form crystals easily.

According to Dr Vishal, what men eat can also play a crucial role. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, eating too much salt, animal protein and foods that are high in oxalates can increase the chance of getting kidney stones. 

He also added that kidney stones are usually caused by many things, not just one thing. Some other things that can increase the risk are

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Gout

• Frequent urinary infections 

• Family history of kidney stones

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Working in hot places and/or sweating a lot

Can Kidney Stones Be Confused With Prostate Problems?

In some men, signs of kidney stones can be similar to those of prostate-related conditions, and this can create confusion. The prostate gland is located right below the bladder, and it encloses a section of the urethra, which is the passage through which urine is passed out of the body. Due to the location, prostate issues may also affect urination patterns.

Kidney stones moving through the urinary tract may lead to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, or discomfort during urination, which are also sometimes reported in prostate enlargement or prostate inflammation. However, the underlying cause is different.

While prostate conditions may take time to manifest themselves with a gradual reduction in the urine flow, kidney stones manifest themselves immediately, particularly when the stone starts to travel. A sharp flank pain or pain radiating to the groin in most cases indicates a urinary stone instead of a prostate problem.

Kidney Stone Pain vs Testicular Pain: How They May Differ

Men with groin pain fear that it might concern the testicles. However, kidney stone pain may radiate toward the groin or testicular region because the nerves supplying the kidneys and ureters share pathways with nerves in the lower abdomen and reproductive organs. Kidney stone pain may:

• Start in the lower back or side

• Gently approach the abdomen or the groin

• Occur in waves or episodes

• Be accompanied by urinary symptoms, such as burning or blood in urine

On the other hand, testicular pain may:

• Directly originates in the testicle or scrotum

• Be associated with swelling, tenderness, or redness

• In some instances, they are caused due to an injury, infection or any other testicular disease

Do Kidney Stone Symptoms Differ Between Men and Women?

Kidney stones can affect both men and women, and most of the symptoms are common in both genders. However, there may be some differences in how the symptoms are perceived or described.

In men, kidney stone pain may radiate toward the groin or testicular region, which can sometimes make the symptoms feel different from those experienced by women. Women may describe pain spreading toward the lower abdomen or pelvic area instead.

Another distinction is that of diagnostic confusion. Urinary urgency or pain during urination are symptoms present in men, which at times get confused with prostate problems. In women, similar urinary symptoms may initially be confused with urinary tract infections or certain gynaecological conditions.

Despite these differences, the basic symptoms of kidney stones are still mostly similar, and they include:

• Sudden back or flank pain

• Moving pain, as the stone goes, moves

• Changes in urine colour

• Urinary discomfort or urgency

When Should Men See A Doctor For Kidney Stones

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, doctors may use imaging tests, urine analysis, and blood tests to determine whether kidney stones are present. Dr Vishal suggested that men should see a doctor if they have:

• Back pain that does not go away

• Blood in their urine

• Trouble urinating

• Fever or chills

• Nausea or vomiting with pain

Bottomline

Kidney stones in men can cause back or side pain that spreads to the groin, changes in urine colour, a burning sensation during urination and frequent urination. Our expert, Dr Vishal, says that these symptoms usually happen when a kidney stone is moving in the tract or blocking the flow of urine. 

Recognising these warning signs can help people seek medical evaluation early and better understand the possible factors contributing to kidney stone formation.