Where Does Kidney Stone Pain Strike in Your Body?
As a urologist based in Birmingham, patients often ask me where exactly they’ll feel pain if they have a kidney stone. Many assume the pain is only located in the abdominal area.
The truth is kidney stones can cause pain projecting to different locations across the torso as the stone moves through the urinary tract. Understanding these patterns helps recognise a possible kidney stone.
In this article, I’ll describe the wide-ranging places pain can radiate based on my experience treating patients. My goal is to provide insights so you can experience the signs of a kidney stone simply because pain presents itself in an unexpected place.
Flank and Back Pain are Common with Kidney Stones
Kidney stone pain often starts more posteriorly than people anticipate. Patients
This flank pain feels like severe muscular spasms on the side. It may feel like you’ve strained muscles in your back.
The pain then tends to wrap around the side from the back toward the front abdomen. The flank it starts in depends on whether the stone is located in the left or right kidney.
So, while you may expect the initial pain in the front, it more commonly begins in the back and radiates. Pay attention to any sudden onset of flank pain.
Intense Cramping Strikes the Lower Abdominal Area
As the referred pain moves around the torso, it reaches the lower abdominal region, located below the navel and the pubic bone.
This abdominal pain comes in strong cramping waves, varying in intensity over minutes or hours during a kidney stone attack. The intermittent quality produces periods of respite mixed with intense pain.
The low abdominal pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, likely from stimulated nerves. Be attentive if you develop these signs along with abdominal cramps.
Some Feel Kidney Stone Pain Radiate into the Groin
In some cases, the pain from kidney stones travels downward and is felt in the groin region. Nerve pathways mean sensations get referred to the inner thigh and groin area.
I’ve found groin pain is more common in my male than female patients. The spermatic cord that provides blood flow to the testicles seems especially prone to this radiating pain.
Groin pain adds yet another possibility for where discomfort associated with a kidney stone may manifest.
Does Your Back Hurt? It May Be a Kidney Stone
You May Have Pain While Urinating with Kidney Stones
As a stone gets closer to exiting the body by passing through the ureter tubes, its movement can cause intense pain with urination.
Patients report feeling a severe burning, stabbing sensation when trying to pee. The most pain typically occurs toward the end of urination, when the stone moves down.
There may also be visible blood in the urine from the stone tearing ureter tissue. Experiencing these bladder symptoms suggests the stone is on the move.
Some Feel Kidney Stone Pain in the Testicles or Vagina
In an interesting pattern I’ve observed, some patients – especially men – have pain that radiates into the testicles. The swelling can cause a dull ache or tenderness.
In women, the pain can be felt in the labia or vagina. Even though a stone is in the kidney, sensitive nerves mean pain gets referred externally.
Referred testicular or vaginal pain should prompt consideration of a possible kidney stone. While unusual areas for pain to manifest, the nerves convey pain widely.
Key Takeaways on this Tricky Aspect of Kidney Stones
I hope this overview provides helpful insights into the diverse locations where kidney stones may cause pain in the body. While the abdomen is most associated with stones, don’t overlook sensations in the back, groin, bladder or genitals as possible signs. Kidney stone pain can be far-reaching! Being aware of the range of pain patterns helps detect stones sooner.
