What Does Passing a Kidney Stone Feel Like for a Man?

Some men rank passing a kidney stone among the worst pain of their lives, and a few put it right up there with childbirth. The ache starts deep, then moves, and knowing what to expect takes some of the fear out of it. For any man passing a kidney stone, male anatomy shapes where the pain travels and how the final stretch feels. What follows walks through each stage, from the first dull throb in the side to the sharp finish, and points out when the pain means it is time to call a doctor.

Alerna Kidney Health focuses on kidney wellness and healthy mineral balance, making it a resource worth having as you sort out what your body is telling you.

The pain of passing a kidney stone is rarely one steady note, because it shifts as the stone moves, and the spot that hurts tells part of the story. It often starts as a deep ache and can build into severe, wave-like pain. Where you feel it depends on how far the stone has traveled.

The first sign is often a sharp pain in the side and back, just below the ribs. This stone pain tends to come in waves rather than staying steady, and it can grow intense enough to make sitting still hard. Many men also feel restless and cannot find a comfortable position.

As the stone moves lower, the pain travels from the side down toward the groin. This shift happens as the stone moves along the urinary tract toward the bladder. For men, that path can send aching or sharp pain into the lower belly and groin.

Near the end, many men feel discomfort at the tip of the penis as the stone reaches the last stretch of the urinary system. This is where passing a kidney stone as a male differs from the general picture, since the male urethra is longer. The feeling often comes with a burning sensation and a strong urge to urinate as the stone nears the exit.

The pain changes because a kidney stone travels a set path, and each leg of the trip feels different. It starts quietly in the kidney, turns fierce in the narrow tube in the middle, then eases as the stone nears the bladder. Here is how that journey usually unfolds.

Pain that begins in the kidney can feel like a dull, deep ache in the back or side. Small kidney stones sometimes sit quietly for a while before they start to move. Once a stone shifts and blocks urine flow, the pressure builds, and the ache sharpens.

The ureter is usually the most painful part of the trip. This narrow tube drains urine from the kidney to the bladder, and it does not stretch easily when a stone pushes through. The squeeze can trigger waves of severe pain, sometimes with nausea, as the stone forces its way down.

Once the stone reaches the bladder, the worst of the pain often eases. The final stretch out of the body is shorter, though it can still bring burning and pressure. Drinking enough fluids helps keep urine flow moving so the stone can pass the rest of the way.

Pain is the headline, but a passing stone often brings other signs worth noticing.

• Blood in the urine, giving it a pink, red, or brown tint.

• A frequent, urgent need to urinate.

• Burning or discomfort while urinating.

• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine.

• Nausea, and sometimes vomiting, along with the pain.

The time it takes to pass a kidney stone depends mostly on the stone's size, and the range is wider than most people expect. Small stones may pass within days, while larger ones can take weeks or require a doctor's help. Here is how size shapes the timeline.

Small kidney stones often pass on their own within a few days to a few weeks. Stones smaller than about 4 millimeters have the best odds of passing without treatment. Drinking plenty of water can support urine flow and give a small stone room to move.

Larger stones usually take more time and do not always pass on their own. A stone bigger than about 6 millimeters is less likely to clear without help and may need a medical procedure. In these cases, a doctor can talk through treatment options based on the stone's size and location.

Sometimes a stone stalls partway and stops moving, which can block urine and raise the risk of a kidney infection. A stone that stays stuck too long may damage the affected kidney if it is not treated. Ongoing pain with no progress is a clear reason to check in with a healthcare professional.

Some signs mean waiting it out is the wrong call, and knowing them helps protect the kidneys. See a doctor or head to the emergency room if you notice any of these:

• Severe pain that will not ease

• A fever or chills along with the pain, which can signal a kidney infection

• Blood in the urine

• An inability to urinate

• Vomiting that keeps you from holding down fluids

A stone that is stuck or paired with an infection can turn serious fast. When in doubt, let a healthcare professional weigh in rather than guessing.

For a man, the pain of passing a kidney stone usually starts in the side and back, radiates toward the groin, and can sharpen at the tip on the way out. Most small stones pass on their own with time and enough fluids, but severe pain, fever, or trouble urinating are signals to get help rather than tough it out. The best moves are simple. Stay hydrated, track the symptoms, and pay attention to the warning signs your body sends.

Alerna Kidney Health Chanca Piedra can be part of that routine, made to support daily kidney wellness and healthy mineral balance. Listen to the pain, act on the red flags, and give your kidneys the support they need.

The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new dietary supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

1. Gillams, K., Juliebø-Jones, P., Juliebø, S. Ø., & Somani, B. K. (2021). Gender Differences in Kidney Stone Disease (KSD): Findings from a Systematic Review. Current urology reports, 22(10), 50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-021-01066-6

2. Jendeberg, J., Geijer, H., Alshamari, M., Cierzniak, B., & Lidén, M. (2017). Size matters: The width and location of a ureteral stone accurately predict the chance of spontaneous passage. European radiology, 27(11), 4775–4785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-4852-6

3. Miah, S., Gunner, C., Clayton, L., Venugopal, S., Boucher, N. R., & Parys, B. (2017). Renal colic and childbirth pain: female experience versus male perception. Journal of pain research, 10, 1553–1554. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S135901

4. Patti, L., & Leslie, S. W. (2024, December 23). Acute renal colic. In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan–. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431091/

5. Peterson, L. M., & Reed, H. S. (2019). Hematuria. Primary care, 46(2), 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2019.02.008