Every year, nearly 3 million visits to the doctor and half a million emergency room visits are caused by kidney stones, says the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). A kidney stone is a mineral and acid salt deposit that forms inside the kidney. There are many causes of kidney stones including diet, family history, kidney disease and metabolic disorders. Kidney stone prevalence typically peaks when a women is in her 50s.
Pain
Some women do not experience any symptoms of kidney stones, but can sometimes confuse symptoms for menstrual pain. Severe pain is the first symptom of kidney stones. The pain begins in the back and side of the lower abdomen, where the kidneys are located. The pain is sharp and sudden as the stone travels from the kidney to the urinary tract. The pain may spread further down to the groin or the muscles of urinary tract as the stone travels further and possibly blocks the flow of urine.
Urination Issues
Some women who have kidney stones experience the need to urinate more frequently. As the stone moves down the urinary tract, it pushes against the walls of the ureter---the tube that carries urine to the bladder where it in turn exits the body via the urethra. This could cause a person to feel the sensation that they need to urinate. It could also cause a person to have a burning sensation during urination. Another indication of a kidney stone is blood in the urine causing the urine to become a pinkish color. This is one symptom that might indicate to a woman that she is experiencing kidney stones rather than menstrual cramping.
Fever and Chills
If a kidney stone is accompanied by fever and chills, this could be a sign of infection and a doctor should be consulted right away. Other symptoms requiring medical attention include nausea and vomiting. Also, if the pain is so severe that daily activities or sitting still is impossible, seek a doctor's advice.
