Ureteric Stents – What to Expect
A ureteric stent is a temporary internal tube that helps urine drain from the kidney to the bladder. Stents can be very useful, but they can also cause urinary urgency, discomfort, blood in the urine and pain around the kidney or bladder.
What is a ureteric stent?
A ureteric stent is a thin, flexible hollow tube positioned inside the ureter — the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
The ends of the stent are usually curled so that one end remains within the kidney and the other sits within the bladder. This is why ureteric stents are sometimes called double-J stents.
The stent allows urine to drain internally while swelling settles, obstruction is relieved or the ureter heals.
Why has a ureteric stent been inserted?
There are several reasons a temporary stent may be placed during the treatment of urinary stones.
Relieve Obstruction
A stent can allow urine to drain past a stone or another area of blockage within the ureter.
After Ureteroscopy
A temporary stent may be used after ureteroscopy when drainage or healing of the ureter is considered helpful.
Before Stone Surgery
Occasionally a stent is placed before a later ureteroscopy to provide drainage or allow the ureter time to accommodate endoscopic access.
Allow Swelling to Settle
The ureter can temporarily swell after instrumentation or stone treatment. A stent can help maintain drainage while this improves.
Drain an Obstructed Kidney
In selected patients, a stent is used to urgently restore drainage from an obstructed kidney.
Support Ureteric Healing
Stents may also be used after selected procedures or injuries involving the ureter while healing occurs.
What does a ureteric stent feel like?
Some people notice very little, while others find stent symptoms quite bothersome. The severity can vary considerably between patients.
Urinary Frequency
You may feel the need to pass urine more often than usual because the lower end of the stent sits within the bladder.
Urinary Urgency
A sudden need to reach the toilet quickly is a common stent-related symptom.
Bladder Discomfort
Some patients notice pressure, discomfort or irritation around the bladder or urethra.
Kidney or Flank Pain
Discomfort in the kidney or side can occur, particularly during or immediately after passing urine.
Blood in the Urine
A small amount of blood or pink urine can occur while a stent is in place and may become more noticeable after physical activity.
Burning or Irritation
Some discomfort during urination can occur. Increasing burning together with fever or feeling unwell should prompt medical review.
Why does my kidney hurt when I urinate with a stent?
A ureteric stent connects the kidney and bladder. Some patients experience temporary discomfort around the kidney during or immediately after passing urine while the stent is in place.
This can be a stent-related symptom and does not automatically mean that something has gone wrong. However, severe or worsening pain, fever, chills or feeling significantly unwell should not simply be attributed to the stent.
What is expected and what should concern me?
Often expected
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Bladder irritation
- Mild burning when passing urine
- Intermittent flank discomfort
- A small amount of blood in the urine
- Symptoms that become more noticeable after exercise
Symptoms that need review
- Fever or chills
- Feeling significantly unwell
- Constant or severe worsening pain
- Difficulty or inability to pass urine
- Significant increasing bleeding
- The stent appears to have moved or fallen out
- Any concerning deterioration after surgery
What can I do while a stent is in place?
Many people can continue normal daily activities, although the stent may make some activities less comfortable.
Drink Regularly
Unless you have been advised to restrict fluids for another medical reason, maintaining regular hydration can help keep urine dilute. Follow any individual fluid instructions given by your treating team.
Exercise Is Usually Possible
Physical activity is often possible with a stent in place, but strenuous activity can sometimes make flank discomfort or blood in the urine more noticeable.
Return to Work Varies
Many people can work with a stent. Physical jobs may be more uncomfortable, particularly if activity increases pain or urinary symptoms.
Plan Ahead
Travel may be possible depending on your underlying condition and recovery, but consider access to toilets and medical care if symptoms are troublesome.
Frequency Can Be Frustrating
If urgency or frequency is significant, planning easy access to toilets can make work, travel and social activities easier.
Follow Your Surgical Advice
Activity restrictions may relate more to the operation you have had than to the stent itself. Follow the discharge instructions provided after your procedure.
Can I make stent symptoms easier?
Symptoms vary considerably, and some people find their stent much more noticeable than others.
Regular hydration may reduce concentrated urine and can sometimes make visible blood in the urine less noticeable. Very strenuous activity may worsen discomfort or bleeding in some patients.
If symptoms are significantly affecting sleep, work or normal activity, discuss this with your treating team. Treatment can sometimes be individualised according to the type and severity of symptoms.
Some temporary stents have a retrieval string that extends outside the urethra. Take care not to pull or dislodge it accidentally. Do not remove a stent yourself unless your treating team has specifically instructed you when and how to do so.
How is a ureteric stent removed?
The method and timing of removal depend on why the stent was inserted and how long it needs to remain in place.
Flexible Cystoscopy
Many stents are removed using a fine flexible telescope passed into the bladder. The stent is grasped and gently removed.
Retrieval String
Some short-term stents have an external string that allows removal without cystoscopy according to specific instructions from the treating team.
Stent Exchange
When ongoing drainage is required, some stents need to be changed rather than simply removed. The timing is individualised.
A ureteric stent should not simply be forgotten. Before leaving hospital or clinic, make sure you know whether the plan is for removal, exchange or another stone procedure. If you are unsure of the plan or believe the removal date has been missed, contact your treating team.
Why is the removal date important?
Most stone-related ureteric stents are intended to be temporary. Exactly how long a stent should remain in place depends on why it was inserted.
A stent that remains in the urinary system longer than intended can develop mineral deposits on its surface, making later removal more difficult.
The important point is therefore not a single time limit for every patient, but knowing your own planned removal or exchange date.
When should I seek urgent medical advice?
Seek urgent medical assessment if you develop fever or chills, feel significantly unwell, have constant or severe worsening pain, difficulty passing urine, a significant increase in bleeding, or if the stent becomes displaced or falls out. Follow any specific postoperative instructions provided by your treating team.
Why was your stent inserted?
Ureteric stents are commonly used as part of the treatment of ureteric and kidney stones.
Ureteric Stones
Learn about renal colic, spontaneous stone passage, urinary obstruction and when active treatment may be needed.
Ureteroscopy & Laser Surgery
Learn about endoscopic treatment of ureteric and kidney stones and why a temporary stent may sometimes be used afterwards.
Kidney Stones
Understand kidney stone symptoms, diagnosis, observation and the main treatment pathways.
Ureteric Stent FAQs
Is it normal to feel a ureteric stent?
Yes. Some people barely notice their stent, but many experience urinary frequency, urgency, bladder discomfort, flank discomfort or blood in the urine. The severity varies considerably between patients.
Why do I need to urinate so often with a stent?
The lower end of the stent sits inside the bladder and can cause irritation. This may produce urinary frequency and urgency even when the bladder is not very full.
Is blood in the urine normal with a stent?
A small amount of intermittent blood in the urine can occur while a stent is present and may become more noticeable after physical activity. A significant increase in bleeding or bleeding associated with worsening symptoms should be medically assessed.
Why does my kidney hurt when I urinate?
Some patients experience flank or kidney discomfort during or immediately after urination while a ureteric stent is in place. Severe, persistent or worsening pain should be discussed with your treating team.
Can I exercise with a ureteric stent?
Physical activity is often possible if your underlying condition and recovery allow it. Strenuous activity can make flank pain or blood in the urine more noticeable in some patients. Follow any additional restrictions related to your recent surgery.
Can I work with a stent?
Many people can continue working with a stent. Jobs involving heavy physical activity may be more uncomfortable, and urinary frequency or urgency can also interfere with some work environments.
Can a ureteric stent move or fall out?
Stent displacement is uncommon but can occur. If the stent appears to be coming out of the urethra or falls out unexpectedly, contact your treating team promptly rather than attempting to reposition it.
Can I accidentally pull out a stent with a string?
A retrieval string can potentially be accidentally pulled or dislodged. Take care with clothing, toileting and washing, and do not deliberately pull the string unless you have been specifically instructed to remove the stent.
How long does a ureteric stent stay in?
There is no single duration that applies to every stent. Some remain in place for only a short period after stone surgery, while others are required for longer. You should be given an individual plan for removal, exchange or further treatment.
Does removing a stent hurt?
Stent removal can cause brief discomfort. Many stents are removed using flexible cystoscopy with local anaesthetic gel, while some short-term stents are removed using a retrieval string. Temporary discomfort can also occur for a short period afterwards.
What happens if a stent is left in too long?
Mineral deposits can build up on a stent over time, potentially making it more difficult to remove or exchange. This is why it is important to know when your stent is due to be removed or changed.
How can I tell stent symptoms from a urine infection?
Stents themselves can cause urinary frequency, urgency, discomfort and some blood in the urine, which can overlap with infection symptoms. Fever, chills, increasing pain or burning, worsening bleeding or feeling generally unwell should prompt medical review.
Have questions about your ureteric stent or stone treatment?
Your symptoms, imaging and treatment history can be reviewed to clarify why the stent was inserted, the planned next step and when removal or further stone treatment may be appropriate.
This information is general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice or the discharge instructions provided by your treating team. Stent symptoms, duration, removal and follow-up depend on why the stent was inserted, the procedure performed and individual clinical circumstances.