Having kidney stones can literally be a painful experience. Read on to know more about the symptoms in women.

Symptoms Of Kidney Stones In Women

Kidney stones are also known as urinary tract stones or Nephrolithiasis. In the olden days, it was a common thought that kidney stones primarily occurred in men. Now, however, the prevalence of kidney stones in women is increasing. Kidney stones are tiny, hard-crystallized masses that form when the salts and minerals in the urine solidify within the kidney. In some cases, these stones are so tiny that they can pass through the urethra and out of the body. In most cases, they either build up inside the kidneys or else get stuck in the urethra. This leads to infection and great discomfort. In some cases, the kidneys can become permanently damaged. The primary cause of kidney stones is chronic bacterial infection of the urinary tract. However, other contributing causes could be problems in diet (high calories, low proteins, minerals, and vitamins), consumption of alcohol, excessive intake of Vitamins C and D, blockage in the urinary tract, metabolic disturbances, reduced intake of water, and certain medication like diuretics. Many women take calcium supplements, and this is also a leading cause of kidney stones in women. Read on to know the symptoms of kidney stones in women
 
Signs & Symptoms Of Nephrolithiasis In Women
 
Symptoms 
  • Acute pain when back or abdomen is touched.
  • Presence of blood in urine. There might, at times, be traces of blood in the urine, which could be either visible or detected on sight or through laboratory tests. This is an indicator that there is internal damage of either the urethra or the kidneys.
  • Presence of pus in the urine. This is most often detected with a laboratory test. In some cases, the urine could smell rather offensive or seem cloudy in appearance. This could be an indication of either kidney stones or urinary tract infection. Therefore, if this symptom is noticed, it is good to get this checked at the earliest.
  • Painful or frequent urination could happen after the stone has left the bladder or while it is in the urethra. This could be due to the fact, that the stone would cut the internal tissues of the bladder or the urethra, and is almost always accompanied by a urinary tract infection.
  • Sudden, constant pain could start in the side, groin, back or the genitals. There could be sudden cramping or pain, in the middle of the abdomen. This would then radiate to the genital areas. Some people would describe this as the worst pain they have ever had in all their lives.
  • Lower abdominal pain during menstruation, along with nausea, fever, vomiting, and dullness. This could primarily happen if there is infection due to kidney stones and would need immediate medical assistance.
  • A common problem in detecting kidney stones in women is that most often the abdominal pain, that is felt is thought to be due to menstruation. However, in the case of kidney stones, the abdominal pain would continue even after menstruation has ceased. This is a sure indication of kidney stones.

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