Bladder stones (also known as vesical calculus) are hard mineral deposits that form in the bladder. They can range from small, gravel-like particles to larger stones that can cause significant discomfort and urinary problems. While people of all ages can experience bladder stones, they’re most often in older adult men. 

Bladder stones can cause various symptoms depending on the size and severity. Common signs and symptoms include: 

• Burning or stinging pain during urination 
• Difficulty urinating or fully emptying the bladder 
• Urinating more frequently than usual 
• Feeling an urgent, uncontrollable need to pee 
• Blood in the urine 
• Lower abdominal pain 
• Foul-smelling urine
• Cloudy or dark-colored urine  
• Urinary tract infections 
• Pain during sexual intercourse 

Because bladder stones are formed when urine minerals build up in the bladder, some of the most common causes can be prevented.

• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can cause minerals to build up. Adequate daily water intake dilutes these minerals to properly flush them out of your system. 
• Enlarged Prostate: The prostate can swell as men age, which can sometimes block the urethra—the tube that eliminates urine outside the body. The blockages can make it difficult to fully empty the bladder, increasing the risk of bladder stones.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain health issues such as gout, inflammatory bowel disease, or neurogenic bladder can increase the risk of bladder stones. 
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Frequent urinary tract infections can lead to bladder stones. Practice good hygiene, seek UTI treatment, and drink plenty of water to prevent bladder stone formation. 

Z Urology provides several treatments for bladder stones. The type of treatment required will depend on your specific case. Treatments include:

• Monitoring: When bladder stones are small and not causing significant discomfort, a urologist might recommend monitoring you over time to see if they pass. 
• Transurethral Cystolitholapaxy: This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves using a cystoscope—a tube that can be inserted into the urethra with a camera on the end —to visualize the bladder stones. A laser is then used to break up the stones into small pieces, which are then removed from the bladder with a grasping instrument or suction. 
• Surgery: Larger bladder stones might require an open cystolithotomy where an incision is made in the bladder to remove the stones. 

Both types of cystolithotomy are often performed under general anesthesia and can require recovery time. Talk with a urologist to discuss bladder stone treatment options and follow their recovery instruction.